# AlmaLinux 9.0 Beta Release Notes
These are the release notes for AlmaLinux OS 9.0 Beta for x86_64, aarch64, ppc64le and s390x architectures, codename Emerald Puma.
Distributed kernel version: 5.14.0-70.5.1.el9_0.
# 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 The AlmaLinux Community Chat (opens new window), The AlmaLinux Forums (opens new window) and The AlmaLinux Community on Reddit (opens new window).
# Changelog
AlmaLinux 9 packages and repos are signed with the new RPM-GPG-KEY-AlmaLinux-9 (opens new window)
Updated dynamic programming languages, web and database servers:
- Perl 5.32
- PHP 8.0
- Git 2.31
- Apache HTTP Server 2.4
- Varnish Cache 6.5
- Squid 5.2
- MySQL 8.0
- Redis 6.2
Updated components:
- GCC 11.2
- glibc 2.34
- binutils 2.35
Compiler updates:
- Go Toolset 1.17.7
Performance tools and debuggers updates:
- GDB 10.2
- Valgrind 3.18.1
- SystemTap 4.6
- Dyninst 11.0.0
- elfutils 0.186
Java tools updates:
- Maven 3.6
- Ant 1.10
You can reference the upstream RHEL 9.0 beta release notes (opens new window) for a full list of changes in this release.
# Installation instructions
There are three installation ISO images available:
AlmaLinux-9.0-beta-1-x86_64-boot.iso - a single network installation CD image that downloads packages over the Internet.
AlmaLinux-9.0-beta-1-x86_64-minimal.iso - a minimal self-containing DVD image that makes possible offline installation.
AlmaLinux-9.0-beta-1-x86_64-dvd.iso - a full installation DVD image that contains mostly all AlmaLinux packages.
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 9-beta/isos/$arch/ directory of your source, for example:
$ wget https://mirror.interserver.net/almalinux/9.0-beta/isos/x86_64/AlmaLinux-9.0-beta-1-x86_64-boot.iso
Download and import the AlmaLinux public key:
$ wget https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/RPM-GPG-KEY-AlmaLinux-9
$ gpg --import RPM-GPG-KEY-AlmaLinux-9
Download and verify a checksums list:
$ wget https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/9.0-beta/isos/x86_64/CHECKSUM
# we are looking for “Good signature”
$ gpg --verify CHECKSUM
gpg: Signature made Mon 18 Apr 2022 09:59:43 PM UTC using RSA key ID B86B3716
gpg: Good signature from "AlmaLinux OS 9 <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: BF18 AC28 7617 8908 D6E7 1267 D36C B86C B86B 3716
Verify the downloaded ISO image checksum:
# calculate the downloaded ISO SHA256 checksum
$ sha256sum AlmaLinux-9.0-beta-1-x86_64-boot.iso
62faf2d2f3449f247435cd91ec6155ed9d1c1f949f55c17b75827cb0f98adef2 AlmaLinux-9.0-beta-1-x86_64-boot.iso
# compare it with expected checksum, it should be the same
$ cat CHECKSUM | grep -E 'SHA256.*AlmaLinux-9.0-beta-1-x86_64-boot.iso'
SHA256 (AlmaLinux-9.0-beta-1-x86_64-boot.iso) = 62faf2d2f3449f247435cd91ec6155ed9d1c1f949f55c17b75827cb0f98adef2
If you decide to use the AlmaLinux-9.0-beta-1-x86_64-boot.iso image, you will need to provide the 9.0-beta/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.
# Known issues
- OpenSCAP AlmaLinux 9 profiles are not ready yet and will be released later
# 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.