AlmaLinux 10.1 released
The AlmaLinux OS Foundation has announced the general availability of AlmaLinux 10.1, codenamed "Heliotrope Lion," which is an important update for the community-driven operating system.
This release introduces Btrfs support as a major feature. AlmaLinux had already had some basic Btrfs capabilities in earlier versions, but now it's fully integrated from day one on both the kernel and userspace levels. That means you can actually install Alma directly onto a Btrfs filesystem without jumping through hoops. Think of it like having an immediate seat at the table for this advanced filesystem tech. They are also working on adding broader support for other cool Btrfs features, but kicking things off properly with the core installation and storage tools.
Hardware compatibility is another area that's been expanded in Alma 10.1. In addition to the new drivers, which are always welcome, this secondary OS release specifically supports older x86_64_v2 processors through an EPEL variant. It’s smart of the Foundation to keep these doors open; many users still rely on legacy hardware, and providing that continued support is crucial.
Let's talk performance gains then. The update re-enables SPICE support by default, which is a great move if you're using remote desktop setups, especially for graphical work or presentations while away from your main machine. Also included are frame pointers as standard, which gives developers powerful system-wide tracing and profiling tools right under their belt to help tune up anything running on Alma.
Moving onto virtualization: Alma 10.1 now properly enables KVM support specifically for IBM POWER hardware within the virtualization stack. This brings it in line with what was available back in version 8, showing they're serious about maintaining parity here and keeping users comfortable with familiar capabilities.
Security buffs will find some welcome changes too. They got updated SELinux policies, bringing everyone current on access control best practices. Plus, there's the inclusion of Keylime (still a fresh face for that acronym!) and newer SSSD versions to help strengthen things.
The tools angle gets covered by several updates: compilers like GCC have been upgraded along with related module streams; debuggers such as GDB got new blood via an upgrade to version 16.3, while performance monitoring utilities now include PCP (Performance Co-Pilot) and Grafana for better insight into system behavior. The upgrade of NetworkingManager itself benefits network wizards.
Container folks will also see some love: Podman and Buildah have both been brought up-to-date with the latest versions to ensure smooth operations within that ecosystem. These updates are all part of keeping things current, making sure users get a seamless experience whether they're focused on performance analysis using Valgrind or Bpftrace, need compilers like Go (1.24) and Rust (1.88.0), or require the latest glibc version (2.39).
There's one more key difference to call out between Alma 10.1 and its upstream source: RHEL. While RHEL is dropping support for older CPUs by default, pushing towards x86_64-v3 optimized binaries starting with their upcoming release, AlmaLinux takes a different tack. This version has Btrfs from the start, which you can rely on if needed, and the v2 architecture support remains. The update allows users to continue running the system comfortably on older hardware that only supports x86_64_v2.
This update actually follows Red Hat's own model while also providing an option for users who may still depend on or prefer the specific binaries from RHEL, which seems sensible considering the widespread use of these CPUs. This update smooths the way forward, offering options that keep everyone onboard whether they're upgrading their infrastructure or sticking with tried-and-tested hardware.
For more information and download links, see the official announcement below:
General Availability of AlmaLinux OS 10.1 Stable!
AlmaLinux OS 10.1 Stable Now Available Hello Community! The AlmaLinux OS Foundation is announcing the general availability of AlmaLinux OS 10.1 codenamed “Heliotrope Lion”!
