Benny Vasquez, Chair of the Board of the AlmaLinux OS Foundation, has made a forward-thinking announcement regarding the future of AlmaLinux OS, following Red Hat’s decision to discontinue support for downstream clones that are 1:1 binary copies of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). The board has made the strategic decision to shift AlmaLinux OS away from being a mirror image of RHEL, pivoting towards an Application Binary Interface (ABI) compatible model.
Instead of aiming for a clone-like relationship with RHEL, the Foundation has decided to work towards creating an enterprise-grade, long-term Linux distribution that is fundamentally aligned and ABI-compatible with RHEL. This strategy would ensure that software designed for RHEL will continue to function optimally on AlmaLinux OS.
For users of AlmaLinux OS, this strategic move would imply minimal changes in terms of the system’s utility. They can expect the same level of compatibility with Red Hat applications, and the timely release of security updates will remain consistent, they stated. A noteworthy aspect of this transition is the newfound flexibility regarding bug-fixes, which would no longer be bound by Red Hat’s release cycle. This can lead to situations where bugs present in Red Hat aren’t in AlmaLinux and vice versa. The Foundation also has the freedom to accept patches for bugs that are yet to receive approval for distribution by Red Hat.
The shift in strategy also mandates alterations in the development and build processes of AlmaLinux. For instance, the patches will now include comments that feature a link to the source of the applied patch, enhancing transparency. The Foundation will also request bug reporters to test and replicate the problem in CentOS Stream, directing their efforts towards effective resolution.
Enterprise Linux Ecosystem
The liberation from being a 1:1 Red Hat downstream rebuild would open a realm of opportunities for the Foundation, and they intend to harness this potential to its fullest. They are committed to engaging the members of the AlmaLinux OS Foundation in discussions and decision-making processes regarding the path forward.
This new phase is expected to bring about a series of partnerships and developments, which will be announced in the upcoming weeks and months. The commitment to open source would remain an integral part of the Foundation’s ethos. The organization aims to continue its contributions to Fedora, CentOS Stream, and the broader Enterprise Linux ecosystem. They invite their community to participate in this initiative, fostering a collective growth journey.
In conclusion, the AlmaLinux OS Foundation’s decision to reposition itself from a clone to an ABI-compatible version of RHEL signifies a new era in the realm of open-source software. According to the AlmaLinux OS Foundation, this strategic move will pave the way for a brighter future, marked by innovation, collaboration, and commitment to open-source philosophy. The repercussions of this decision will undoubtedly be worth watching in the coming months, as AlmaLinux OS embarks on this exciting new trajectory.
