# AlmaLinux 8.5 Release Notes
Thank you for downloading AlmaLinux OS. These are the release notes for AlmaLinux OS 8.5 Stable for both the x86_64 and ARM architectures, codename Arctic Sphynx. Distributed kernel version: 4.18.0-348.
# Providing Feedback and Getting Help
Please report any issues you may encounter 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 The AlmaLinux Community Chat (opens new window), The AlmaLinux Forums (opens new window) and The AlmaLinux Community on Reddit (opens new window).
# Changelog
Added new module streams:
- nginx 1.20
- Node.js 16
- Ruby 3.0
Updated components:
- PHP 7.4.19
- Squid 4.15
- Mutt 2.0.7
Compiler Updates:
- GCC Toolset 11
- LLVM Toolset 12.0.1
- Rust Toolset 1.54.0
- Go Toolset 1.16.7
The closest mirror will be selected automatically in network install mode.
Added new repositories:
- ResilientStorage
- Plus
SCAP Security Guide includes new profiles and improvements for the existing profiles:
- A new profile aligned with the Australian Cyber Security Centre Information Security Manual (ACSC ISM).
- The Center for Internet Security (CIS) AlmaLinux profile (opens new window) restructured into four different profiles (Workstation Level 1, Workstation Level 2, Server Level 1, Server Level 2).
- The Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) security profile updated to version V1R3.
- A new STIG profile compatible with Server with GUI installations.
- A new French National Security Agency (ANSSI) High Level profile, which completes the availability of profiles for all ANSSI-BP-028 v1.2 hardening levels in the SCAP Security Guide.
You can reference the upstream RHEL 8.5 release notes (opens new window) for a full list of changes in this release.
# Installation Instructions
There are three installation ISO images available:
AlmaLinux-8.5-x86_64-boot.iso - a single network installation CD image that downloads packages over the Internet.
AlmaLinux-8.5-x86_64-minimal.iso - a minimal self-containing DVD image that makes possible offline installation.
AlmaLinux-8.5-x86_64-dvd.iso - a full installation DVD image that contains mostly all AlmaLinux packages.
The recommended way to download ISO images is using the torrent (opens new window) links. Alternatively, you can select a mirror closest to your geographic area listed on the mirrors.almalinux.org (opens new window) website. A local mirror will be a lot quicker than using repo.almalinux.org directly. Then, download a suitable ISO image from the 8.5/isos/$arch/ directory of your source, for example:
$ wget http://almalinux-mirror.dal1.hivelocity.net/almalinux/8.5/isos/x86_64/AlmaLinux-8.5-x86_64-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/8.5/isos/x86_64/CHECKSUM
# we are looking for “Good signature”
$ gpg --verify CHECKSUM
gpg: Signature made Thu 11 Nov 2021 05:28:05 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-8.5-x86_64-boot.iso
65b3b4c17ce322081e2d743ee420b37b7213f4b14d2ec4f3c4f026d57aa148ec AlmaLinux-8.5-x86_64-boot.iso
# compare it with expected checksum, it should be the same
$ cat CHECKSUM | grep -E 'SHA256.*AlmaLinux-8.5-x86_64-boot.iso'
SHA256 (AlmaLinux-8.5-x86_64-boot.iso) = 65b3b4c17ce322081e2d743ee420b37b7213f4b14d2ec4f3c4f026d57aa148ec
If you decide to use the AlmaLinux-8.5-x86_64-boot.iso image, you will need to provide the 8.5/BaseOS/x86_64/kickstart/ repository from the selected mirror as the Installation Source if the installer will not be able to find closest mirror for some reason.
There are no extra Installation Sources required if you decided to go with either the minimal or DVD ISO images.
# Upgrade Instructions from 8.4 to 8.5
To update your AlmaLinux OS 8.4 Stable to 8.5:
$ dnf upgrade -y
To upgrade from the 8.5 Beta Release run the same command twice:
$ dnf upgrade -y
# Packages Added in this Release
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 |
# Packages Removed in this Release
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 |
| 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.