AlmaLinux Shows Advantages of ABI Compatibility After RHEL Restricted Source Code Access

In 2023, Red Hat limited source code access for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). This prompted the AlmaLinux OS Foundation to adopt application binary interface (ABI) compatibility instead of 1:1 compatibility with RHEL. This move enables AlmaLinux to introduce new features and restore deprecated ones while maintaining compatibility with RHEL. AlmaLinux OS version 10.2, released in May 2026, demonstrates the progress made with this philosophy.

When RHEL 10 elevated the x86-64-v2 architecture baseline to x86-64-v3, numerous older server platforms, including some new ones, were unable to support the modern CPU feature sets. AlmaLinux addressed this issue by offering an additional x86-64-v2 build, which is ideal for environments relying on standard OS packages. For users with older hardware, this feature helps prolong hardware life and reduce electronic waste.

AlmaLinux OS 10.2 supports the RHEL 10 lifetime, with security support extending until 2035. While RHEL 10 eliminated 32-bit application support, AlmaLinux added package repositories and official container images for 32-bit x86. Moreover, NVIDIA GPU drivers, commonly used in modern computing, were integrated into AlmaLinux's repository, simplifying the installation process.

One advantage of ABI compatibility is that AlmaLinux can sometimes release patches more swiftly than RHEL. Other differences between AlmaLinux OS 10.2 and RHEL 10 include enabling frame pointers, enabling Btrfs filesystem support, and restoring support for certain storage and network drivers. Overall, AlmaLinux's approach of preserving ABI compatibility has provided a stable, drop-in replacement for RHEL while offering additional benefits for users with older hardware and specific software requirements.