The AlmaLinux 8.5 distribution, previously released for x86_64 and ARM/AArch64 systems, now supports the PowerPC architecture (ppc64l). Three ISO image options are available for download: bootable (770 MB), minimal (1.8 GB), and full (9 GB).
The distribution is fully binary-compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.5 and can serve as a drop-in replacement for CentOS 8. The changes include rebranding, removal of RHEL-specific packages such as redhat-*, insights-client, and subscription-manager-migration*, as well as the creation of a 'devel' repository with additional packages and build dependencies.
It’s worth noting that the AlmaLinux distribution was founded by CloudLinux in response to Red Hat's premature cessation of support for CentOS 8 (users had expected updates for CentOS 8 to continue until 2029, but Red Hat decided to end them in late 2021). A separate non-profit organization, the AlmaLinux OS Foundation, oversees the project to ensure community participation and employ a management model similar to that of the Fedora project. The distribution is free for all user categories. All AlmaLinux developments are published under open licenses.
In addition to AlmaLinux, alternatives to the classic CentOS 8 include VzLinux (prepared by Virtuozzo), Rocky Linux (developed by the community under the guidance of CentOS's founder with support from the newly formed company Ctrl IQ), Oracle Linux, and SUSE Liberty Linux. Furthermore, Red Hat has made RHEL available for free in organizations developing open-source software and for individual developers working with up to 16 virtual or physical systems.
Source: opennet.ru
