{
  "id": 18750261,
  "title": "AlmaLinux Shows Advantages of ABI Compatibility After RHEL Restricted Source Code Access",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/almalinux-shows-advantages-of-abi-compatibility-after-rhel-restricted",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-07T17:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Slashdot",
    "slug": "slashdot",
    "url": "https://linux.slashdot.org/story/26/11/07/0330255/almalinux-shows-advantages-of-abi-compatibility-after-rhel-restricted-source-code-access"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nWhen 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.\n\nAlmaLinux 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.\n\nOne 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.",
  "summary": "\"AlmaLinux OS charted a new path in 2023 when Red Hat restricted source code access to Red Hat Enterprise Linux,\" remembers Linux Magazine. \"Rather than pursue 1:1 compatibility with RHEL like other Enterprise Linux alternatives, the AlmaLinux OS Foundation chose application binary interface (ABI) compatibility, which guarantees that applications and kernel modules that work on RHEL will work on…",
  "key_points": [
    "AlmaLinux adopted ABI compatibility post-RHEL's source code access restriction in 2023.",
    "AlmaLinux 10.2 released in May 2026, supporting RHEL 10 lifetime until 2035.",
    "ABI compatibility allows AlmaLinux to patch more swiftly and add 32-bit support."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}