Back in 2023, when Red Hat locked down RHEL source access, AlmaLinux chose ABI compatibility over 1:1 clones. Linux Magazine, via Slashdot, looks at what that freedom bought them by AlmaLinux 10.2.
What Alma added back
- An x86-64-v2 build for older servers RHEL 10 left behind (v3 is still the default)
- Frame pointers back on for real-time tracing and profiling
- Install on Btrfs
- SPICE support for remote VM desktops
- Old storage and network drivers: Adaptec, Dell PERC, HP, Mellanox, QLogic, Emulex, LSI, Broadcom
My take
RHEL apps and kmods still work, and old gear gets to stay in service. Not sure if your CPU does v3? /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2 --help lists the glibc-hwcaps levels it supports.
God Bless, and Use the Source!
