# AlmaLinux 8.4 Beta for ARM Release Notes
# Beta Release
WARNING
This is a BETA release and should not be used for production installations.
# Providing Feedback and Getting Help
Please report any issues you may encounter during tests on the AlmaLinux Bug Tracker (opens new window). Additionally, if you feel like providing feedback, talking about anything or asking any questions you might want to check out AlmaLinux Chat (opens new window), The AlmaLinux Forums (opens new window) and The AlmaLinux Community on Reddit (opens new window).
# Changelog
This is the first AlmaLinux release for ARM.
# Installation instructions
There are three installation ISO images available:
AlmaLinux-8.4-beta-1-aarch64-boot.iso - a single network installation CD image
that downloads packages over the Internet.
AlmaLinux-8.4-beta-1-aarch64-minimal.iso - a minimal self-containing DVD image
that makes possible offline installation.
AlmaLinux-8.4-beta-1-aarch64-dvd.iso - a full installation DVD image that
contains mostly all AlmaLinux packages.
You should select a mirror closest to your geographic area listed on the mirrors.almalinux.org (opens new window) website (local mirrors will be a lot quicker than using repo.almalinux.org directly) and download a suitable ISO image from the 8.4/isos/aarch64/ directory, for example:
$ wget https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/8.4-beta/isos/aarch64/AlmaLinux-8.4-beta-1-aarch64-boot.iso
Download and import the AlmaLinux public key:
$ wget https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/RPM-GPG-KEY-AlmaLinux
$ gpg --import RPM-GPG-KEY-AlmaLinux
Download and verify a checksums list:
$ wget https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/8.4-beta/isos/aarch64/CHECKSUM
# we are looking for “Good signature”
$ gpg --verify CHECKSUM
gpg: Signature made Fri 28 May 2021 06:05:33 PM UTC using RSA key ID C21AD6EA
gpg: Good signature from "AlmaLinux <packager@almalinux.org>"
gpg: WARNING: This key is not certified with a trusted signature!
gpg: There is no indication that the signature belongs to the owner.
Primary key fingerprint: 5E9B 8F56 17B5 066C E920 57C3 488F CF7C 3ABB 34F8
Subkey fingerprint: E53C F5EF 91CE B0AD 1812 ECB8 51D6 647E C21A D6EA
Verify the downloaded ISO image checksum:
# calculate the downloaded ISO SHA256 checksum
$ sha256sum AlmaLinux-8.4-beta-1-aarch64-boot.iso
9a17e790991fc6df68b00312649d29e55caac89ce9bb30b4cfa67da3f773ca05 AlmaLinux-8.4-beta-1-aarch64-boot.iso
# compare it with expected checksum, it should be the same
$ cat CHECKSUM | grep -E 'SHA256.*AlmaLinux-8.4-beta-1-aarch64-boot.iso'
SHA256 (AlmaLinux-8.4-beta-1-aarch64-boot.iso) = 9a17e790991fc6df68b00312649d29e55caac89ce9bb30b4cfa67da3f773ca05
If you decide to use the AlmaLinux-8.4-beta-1-aarch64-boot.iso image, you will
need to provide the 8.4-beta/BaseOS/aarch64/kickstart/ repository from the
selected mirror as the Installation Source.
There are no extra Installation Sources required if you decided to go with either the minimal or DVD ISO images.
# Known issues
- The mirrors support implemented with help of the DNF fastestmirror plugin is known to be a bit "quirky". We are going to switch to geolocation-based mirror selection soon.
- The jmc:rhel8 module is not available in beta and will be added in stable.
- We don’t provide OVAL definitions for AlmaLinux updates yet so the
Ensure Software Patches InstalledOpenSCAP check will be marked asnotchecked. However, OpenSCAP is already configured for AlmaLinux OVAL sources so no configuration will be needed when definitions become available.
# Added packages
Here is a list of added packages in comparison with upstream distribution.
| Package | Description |
|---|---|
| almalinux-backgrounds | AlmaLinux background images. Replaces redhat-backgrounds |
| almalinux-indexhtml | AlmaLinux default browser page Replaces redhat-indexhtml |
| almalinux-logos | AlmaLinux graphics for OS Replaces redhat-logos |
| almalinux-logos-httpd | AlmaLinux graphics for HTTPD server Replaces redhat-logos-httpd |
| almalinux-logos-ipa | AlmaLinux graphics for IPA server Replaces redhat-logos-ipa |
| almalinux-release | AlmaLinux release package, repos, and EULA Replaces redhat-release and redhat-release-eula |
# Removed packages
Here is a list of removed packages in comparison with the upstream distribution.
AlmaLinux OS is a community distribution so all changes are subject to discussion. If you would like to do so, please join AlmaLinux Chat (opens new window) as well as filing a bug report at AlmaLinux Bug Tracker (opens new window) to discuss if you think any of the packages below should be included into the repos.
| Package | Description |
|---|---|
| insights-client | RHEL specific package to connect to upstream vendor resources |
| kmod-redhat-* | RHEL specific modules from Driver Update Program |
| kpatch* | RHEL specific live patches for kernel |
| redhat-backgrounds | RHEL specific background images |
| redhat-indexhtml | RHEL specific default browser page |
| redhat-logos | RHEL specific graphics for OS |
| redhat-logos-httpd | RHEL specific graphics for HTTPD server |
| redhat-logos-ipa | RHEL specific graphics for IPA server |
| redhat-release | RHEL specific release package and repos |
| redhat-release-eula | RHEL specific EULA |
| redhat-support-lib-python | RHEL specific package to connect to upstream vendor resources |
| redhat-support-tool | RHEL specific package to connect to upstream vendor resources |
| rhc | RHEL specific package to connect to upstream vendor resources |
| rhc-worker-playbook | RHEL specific package to connect to upstream vendor resources |
| rhsm-gtk | RHEL specific GUI for Subscription Manager |
| rhsm-icons | RHEL specific GUI for Subscription Manager |
| spice-client-win-x64 | Contains binaries built by upstream vendor |
| spice-client-win-x86 | Contains binaries built by upstream vendor |
| spice-qxl-wddm-dod | Contains binaries built by upstream vendor |
| spice-vdagent-win-x64 | Contains binaries built by upstream vendor |
| spice-vdagent-win-x86 | Contains binaries built by upstream vendor |
| subscription-manager-cockpit | RHEL specific Cockpit module for Subscription Manager |
| subscription-manager-initial-setup-addon | RHEL specific initial setup addon for Subscription Manager |
| subscription-manager-plugin-container | RHEL specific Subscription Manager plugin for upstream vendor containers |
| virt-who | RHEL specific package to connect to upstream vendor resources |
| virtio-win | Contain binaries built by upstream vendor |
Red Hat and RHEL are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.