AlmaLinux 8.4, originally released for x86_64 systems, includes support for ARM/AArch64 architecture. Three types of ISO images are available for download: bootable (650 MB), minimal (1.6 GB), and full (7 GB).
The distribution is fully binary compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 and can serve as a transparent replacement for CentOS 8. Changes include rebranding, removal of RHEL-specific packages such as redhat-*, insights-client, and subscription-manager-migration*, creation of a 'devel' repository with additional packages and build dependencies. It includes new modules with Python 3.9, SWIG 4.0, Subversion 1.14, Redis 6, PostgreSQL 13, and MariaDB 10.5. Updated versions of GCC Toolset 10, LLVM Toolset 11.0.0, Rust Toolset 1.49.0, and Go Toolset 1.15.7 are included.
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.
Besides AlmaLinux, alternatives to classic CentOS 8 include VzLinux (prepared by Virtuozzo), Rocky Linux (developed by the community under the leadership of the CentOS founder with support from the newly established Ctrl IQ), and Oracle Linux. Additionally, Red Hat has provided free use of RHEL for organizations developing open-source software and for environments of individual developers with up to 16 virtual or physical systems.
Source: opennet.ru
