A Journey Through Time: The Evolution of Oracle Linux
Changelog: What's New in Oracle Linux 10.0
Getting Started: Download, Installation, and Support
Oracle Linux 10.0 in Context: A Non-Tabular Comparison with RHEL-Based Distributions
Conclusion: Powering the Future with Oracle Linux 10.0
We're absolutely thrilled to dive into the world of Oracle Linux 10.0, the latest major release that's now generally available. This isn't just another incremental update; it's a significant leap forward, meticulously engineered to deliver unparalleled security, rock-solid stability, and blistering performance for the most demanding enterprise workloads. Built upon the robust foundation of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10.0, Oracle Linux 10.0 aims to be the bedrock of your operations, whether you're running applications on your own servers or leveraging the flexibility of cloud infrastructure.
Oracle's long-standing commitment to the Linux ecosystem is well-documented, but what truly sets Oracle Linux apart is its unique position. As a vendor that provides both the operating system and a vast array of critical enterprise applications, such as Oracle Database, Oracle Exadata, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Oracle Linux is inherently optimised for this ecosystem. This deep integration isn't just a convenience; it's a strategic advantage, promising superior performance, enhanced stability, and streamlined support for organisations deeply invested in Oracle's technology stack. For those heavily invested in the Oracle ecosystem, choosing Oracle Linux is more than a technical preference; it's a strategic decision. This approach promises a level of integration and performance tuning that generic Linux distributions simply cannot match, thereby reducing the risk of compatibility issues, simplifying troubleshooting, and potentially unlocking performance gains unique to Oracle's stack. Ultimately, this deeper integration and reduced complexity can lead to a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) for Oracle-centric environments, as less time is spent on compatibility fixes and issue resolution is faster, directly contributing to operational efficiency and cost savings.
It's also fascinating to consider how Oracle bridges the gap between open-source freedom and enterprise-grade assurance. Oracle Linux is explicitly available for free download and distribution, even for production use. Yet, Oracle also offers extensive Premier Support benefits, including the highly valued Ksplice zero-downtime patching and 24/7 technical support. This dual-pronged approach caters to distinct market segments: those who desire the cost-effectiveness and freedom of open source and are capable of self-supporting, and large enterprises that require robust, guaranteed support, advanced features, and indemnification that only a vendor can provide. This hybrid model effectively lowers the barrier to entry for smaller organisations or individual developers, encouraging broader adoption, while simultaneously ensuring a sustainable revenue stream for Oracle through its premium support services. It demonstrates that "free" in the enterprise Linux world doesn't necessarily mean "unsupported," but rather that the level of support is a strategic choice for the user.
A Journey Through Time: The Evolution of Oracle Linux
The story of Oracle Linux begins in the mid-2000s, specifically around 2006, when Oracle formally launched its own enterprise-grade Linux distribution. Initially known as "Unbreakable Linux," it emerged as a 100% application binary compatible alternative to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). This move wasn't merely about offering another Linux flavour; it was a strategic imperative for Oracle, driven by the need for a highly stable, secure, and performant Linux foundation meticulously optimised for its burgeoning software stack, particularly its flagship Oracle Database. The progression through major releases, including Oracle Linux 6, 7, 8, and 9, has consistently integrated new features, enhanced security, and refined performance, culminating in the highly anticipated version 10.0.
A pivotal moment in Oracle Linux's journey was the introduction of the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK). While still offering the Red Hat Compatible Kernel (RHCK) for those needing strict upstream compatibility, UEK quickly became the default and preferred kernel. This was more than a technical tweak; it represented Oracle's deep commitment to engineering a kernel specifically tailored for its enterprise workloads, pushing the boundaries of performance and reliability. The decision to invest in its own kernel development, rather than solely relying on upstream RHEL, signifies Oracle's strategic independence and its pursuit of performance optimisation beyond mere compatibility. By developing and maintaining UEK, Oracle gains direct control over the kernel's features, performance, and security, allowing for specific optimisations and integration of new functionalities that directly benefit its enterprise applications (Database, Exadata, OCI) and cloud infrastructure (OCI). This transforms Oracle Linux from a simple RHEL clone into a distinct, performance-tuned platform, offering a compelling value proposition to its customers: a Linux distribution that is not only RHEL-compatible for broad application support but also uniquely tuned for Oracle's core business, potentially delivering superior performance and stability in those specific environments. This underlines a "performance-first" philosophy for their critical software.
The positioning of Oracle Linux as a "free RHEL derivative" that is "100% application binary compatible", yet backed by comprehensive, paid enterprise support, creates a unique market offering. This model directly challenges the established Linux enterprise market, where traditional commercial distributions like RHEL primarily rely on subscriptions for both software and support. By providing the OS binaries for free, Oracle removes a significant barrier to entry, potentially attracting budget-conscious organisations that still require RHEL compatibility and enterprise-grade features. This shifts the value proposition from paying for the software itself to paying for the assurance, expertise, and advanced features, such as Ksplice, that come with a support contract. This disruptive model forces competitors to re-evaluate their own pricing and support strategies, potentially driving down costs or increasing value for end-users across the enterprise Linux landscape, demonstrating a belief that the real value for enterprises lies in the support and optimisations, not just the base software.
Changelog: What's New in Oracle Linux 10.0
As of June 26, 2025, Oracle Linux 10.0 has officially reached General Availability (GA), marking its readiness for widespread adoption in production environments. This is the stable, fully supported version you've been waiting for, building on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10.0 base.
Kernel Versions
Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel Release 8 (UEK 8): This is the star of the show and the default kernel for Oracle Linux 10.0. It's built upon the solid foundation of Linux 6.12 LTS, but Oracle has infused it with additional security hardening and selectively pulled in crucial device drivers from even newer upstream kernels, such as Linux 6.15 stable. This tailored approach ensures optimal performance and compatibility, especially for Oracle's own software and hardware.
Red Hat Compatible Kernel (RHCK): For those who require strict compatibility with the upstream Red Hat kernel, Oracle Linux 10.0 for x86_64 platforms also ships with kernel-6.12.0-41.el10. This provides flexibility, allowing users to choose the kernel that best fits their specific application dependencies.
It's worth noting that the earlier Developer Preview releases featured slightly different kernel versions, specifically kernel-ueknext-6.12.0-4.el10ueknext and kernel-6.11.0-0.rc5.23.el10. The GA release has solidified these to the aforementioned kernel-uek-6.12.0-0.12.9.el10uek and kernel-6.12.0-41.el10, reflecting the culmination of development and testing. This dual-kernel strategy offers significant flexibility, with UEK optimised for Oracle's own software and hardware, promising superior performance in those specific contexts, while RHCK ensures broader compatibility with applications strictly tied to the upstream RHEL kernel. The fact that UEK incorporates select drivers from even newer upstream kernels demonstrates Oracle's proactive approach to hardware support and performance within their custom kernel, further differentiating Oracle Linux from other RHEL clones and positioning it as a highly engineered solution.
Key Component Updates
Beyond the kernel, Oracle Linux 10.0 brings a host of updated components that enhance security, developer experience, and overall system robustness:
OpenSSH: A significant security and usability upgrade, introducing features like keystroke obfuscation to thwart side-channel attacks, tighter restrictions on key forwarding, and automatic closure of inactive SSH channels. The SSH daemon has also been rearchitected for a reduced attack surface.
Cryptographic Capabilities: Modernised cryptographic libraries align with emerging standards, offering improved FIDO-based authentication. A glimpse into the future is provided with Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) as a technology preview, specifically the ML-KEM algorithm. Remember, PQC is for testing only, not production!
Developer Tooling: The release includes updated GCC compiler toolchains, offering new C, C++, and OpenMP features, alongside improved diagnostics and performance optimisations. A significant change is the introduction of Valkey, a high-performance, in-memory key-value store that serves as a drop-in replacement for Redis, maintaining full compatibility. Grafana also receives a refreshed UI and enhanced user access controls, while.NET support is expanded with new APIs and broader platform compatibility.
Architectural Support
Oracle Linux 10.0 is available for both 64-bit Intel and AMD (x86_64) and 64-bit Arm (aarch64) platforms, catering to a wide range of modern hardware.
Upgrade Path
Existing Oracle Linux users can perform an in-place upgrade to 10.0.
Getting Started: Download, Installation, and Support
Obtaining the Distribution
One of the most compelling aspects of Oracle Linux is its accessibility. Since 2006, Oracle Linux has been completely free to download, use, and distribute for production environments, with no strings attached. You can get your hands on Oracle Linux 10.0 in several convenient ways:
ISO Images: The primary method for installation is via ISO images. These can be downloaded directly from the Oracle Linux Downloads page on yum.oracle.com. The General Availability release provides various ISO types: a Full ISO containing everything needed for a complete installation, a UEK Boot ISO for booting with the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel, an RHCK Boot ISO (for x86_64) if you prefer the Red Hat Compatible Kernel, and a Source ISO for those who want to delve into the code. These are available for both x86_64 and aarch64 architectures.
Yum Repositories: Beyond ISOs, Oracle provides developer preview channels for Oracle Linux 10 on the Oracle Linux yum server. These repositories ( ol10_baseos_developer, ol10_appstream_developer, ol10_codeready_builder_developer, ol10_developer_UEKnext) offer binary updates and security patches, ensuring your system stays current.
Container Images: For modern, containerised workflows, Oracle Linux container images are readily available on popular registries, including Oracle Container Registry, GitHub Container Registry, and Docker Hub.
Installation Process
The installation process for Oracle Linux 10.0 largely follows the familiar pattern of other RHEL-based distributions.
Preparing Installation Media: Your first step will be to download the appropriate ISO image and prepare bootable installation media, typically a USB flash drive or a DVD. Tools like dd (on Linux/macOS) or Rufus (on Windows) are commonly used for this.
Booting and Initial Setup: Once your media is ready, boot your system from it. You'll be greeted by an installer that guides you through the process. Key configuration steps include:
Installation Source: Specifying the location of the installation image (usually the local media you just created).
Software Selection: Choosing your base environment (e.g., Server with GUI, Minimal Install) and any additional software add-ons you require.
Storage Configuration: This is a crucial step where you select the disks for installation, configure partitioning (manual or automatic), and set up Logical Volume Manager (LVM) if desired, including partitions for root (/), /home (if applicable), and swap.
Network and Hostname: Configuring your system's network settings and hostname.
User Settings: Setting the root password and creating a standard user account. You can choose to make this user an administrator by adding them to the
wheel group for sudo access.
Kernel Selection: For new installations, the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK) is automatically enabled and set as the default kernel on first boot.
Virtualisation Tip: If you're installing in a virtualised environment like VirtualBox, some users reported display issues with the Developer Preview. Selecting "VBOXSVGA" for display and potentially using RDP mode for graphical installation can help, especially for minimal server installs where remote SSH access is the goal.
Getting Support for Technical Issues
While Oracle Linux is free to download and use, Oracle offers comprehensive, enterprise-grade support options for organisations that require it. This is where the true value for mission-critical deployments often lies.
Basic Support: Includes access to patches, fixes, security patches, and security alerts.
Premier Support: Builds on Basic Support by adding crucial benefits like Oracle Ksplice for live kernel patching (zero-downtime updates), 24/7 telephone and online technical support from product experts, and access to the Oracle Unbreakable Linux Network (ULN) for managing software channels. It also includes comprehensive indemnification for intellectual property claims.
Extended Support: Available for a limited time after Premier Support ends, providing patches and fixes for critical security errata and select high-impact bug fixes.
Sustaining Support: Available after Extended Support, primarily for existing releases, but does not include new security fixes or alerts.
Integrated Support for Oracle Customers: For those already using Oracle Premier Support for Systems or Oracle Cloud Infrastructure subscriptions, Oracle Linux Premier Support is often included at no additional charge. This provides a seamless support experience across your Oracle stack. This is a clear "support as a service" business model, where the value proposition lies in the operational assurance and risk mitigation provided by the support, rather than the software itself. For large organisations, the cost of downtime, security breaches, or unresolved technical issues far outweighs the cost of a support subscription. Oracle's comprehensive support, especially Premier Support with Ksplice, directly addresses these pain points by guaranteeing uptime, rapid issue resolution, and legal protection, thereby significantly de-risking enterprise operations. This robust, vendor-backed support differentiates Oracle Linux from purely community-driven alternatives, allowing Oracle to compete effectively in the enterprise market by offering a compelling blend of open-source flexibility with the reliability and accountability typically associated with proprietary solutions, particularly for those already invested in the Oracle ecosystem.
Community Resources: For users who prefer a self-support model or are experimenting, the open-source nature of Oracle Linux means a vibrant community exists. Oracle Linux Community Forums and other online resources can be valuable for troubleshooting and sharing knowledge.
Oracle Linux 10.0 in Context: A Non-Tabular Comparison with RHEL-Based Distributions
Oracle Linux 10.0 doesn't exist in a vacuum; it's a prominent player within the vibrant ecosystem of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)-based distributions. Each of these distributions shares a common heritage but carves out its own niche, offering unique features, support models, and target audiences. Let's explore how Oracle Linux 10.0 stacks up against some of its notable RHEL-based cousins: Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux, CentOS Stream, and Fedora. Our aim here is to provide a user-friendly comparison without resorting to a tabular format, focusing on the distinct characteristics of each.
Oracle Linux 10.0 (Recap for Comparison)
At its heart, Oracle Linux 10.0 is 100% application binary compatible with RHEL 10, ensuring that applications designed for RHEL will run seamlessly. However, its standout feature is the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK), which is the default kernel. UEK is meticulously optimised by Oracle for demanding workloads, particularly those involving Oracle Database, Oracle Exadata, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). The crown jewel for many enterprises is Ksplice. This unique technology allows for zero-downtime patching of the kernel and critical user-space libraries, meaning security updates and bug fixes can be applied without the need for a system reboot. This is a massive advantage for maintaining continuous availability in mission-critical environments. Oracle Linux is freely available for download, use, and distribution. However, Oracle offers comprehensive, paid support tiers (Basic, Premier, Extended) that provide 24/7 expert technical assistance, access to the Oracle Unbreakable Linux Network (ULN), and even intellectual property indemnification. This hybrid model offers flexibility for users. Oracle Linux 10.0 is ideally suited for enterprises running mission-critical Oracle applications, those deploying in Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and organisations that prioritise maximum uptime, robust security, and direct vendor-backed support. It's also increasingly appealing to developers looking for a stable, performant platform with updated tooling.
Rocky Linux
Emerging as a spiritual successor to the discontinued CentOS Linux, Rocky Linux is a community-driven, downstream rebuild of RHEL. Its primary goal is to provide a stable, secure, and 1:1 binary compatible alternative to RHEL, ensuring a familiar environment for those migrating from CentOS. It was named in honour of CentOS co-founder Rocky McGaugh, signifying its commitment to the original CentOS mission. Rocky Linux places a strong emphasis on community governance and long-term stability. It offers predictable updates and a robust 10-year support lifecycle for its major releases, making it a reliable choice for production environments. Being community-driven, Rocky Linux primarily relies on community support through forums and dedicated groups. However, commercial support is available from various partners, notably CIQ, which was founded by one of Rocky Linux's co-creators. The distribution itself is free and open-source. It's a prime choice for users seeking a free, stable, and RHEL-compatible alternative with strong community backing, particularly those looking for a seamless migration path from CentOS. It's widely used for web servers, database servers, cloud computing, and containerisation.
AlmaLinux
Much like Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux is another free, open-source, enterprise-grade Linux distribution designed as a stable, drop-in, 1:1 binary compatible replacement for CentOS. It is backed by the AlmaLinux OS Foundation and receives significant financial and infrastructure support from industry sponsors like CloudLinux. AlmaLinux distinguishes itself with strong corporate backing and broader partnerships with major cloud providers and enterprise software vendors. It's often perceived as being more proactive and refined in its migration tooling for users switching from CentOS or other RHEL-based distributions. It also adheres to RHEL's 10-year support lifecycle. AlmaLinux benefits from a robust community, but its long-term viability is further assured by strong corporate sponsorship and a transparent governance model. It remains entirely free and open-source. AlmaLinux appeals to businesses and organisations that need a free, reliable, RHEL-compatible solution, as well as developers, DevOps professionals, and educational institutions. Its broader partnerships make it a preferred choice for seamless cloud integration and for those who may eventually seek commercial support options.
CentOS Stream
CentOS Stream is a unique beast. It's not a fixed-point release like its predecessor, CentOS Linux, but rather a "rolling preview" or "midstream" distribution. It sits between the upstream development of Fedora and the downstream development of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, providing continuous updates and an early look at what will be incorporated into future RHEL versions. Its primary advantage is offering early access to the same source code that Red Hat engineers use, allowing developers and partners to test, evaluate, and even influence upcoming RHEL features. It's notably used by large tech companies like Meta Platforms and Twitter for their hyperscale development and testing environments. CentOS Stream relies on community support. Crucially, it does not provide formal commercial support, and its long-term support is limited compared to RHEL or its direct derivatives. It's explicitly not intended for production environments where stability is paramount. CentOS Stream is best suited for open-source community members, Red Hat partners, and ecosystem developers who need to anticipate and prepare for future RHEL releases. It's ideal for development, testing, and non-mission-critical workloads where staying on the bleeding edge of RHEL development is more important than absolute long-term stability.
Fedora Linux
Fedora is the upstream project for RHEL, serving as an innovation incubator for new Linux technologies. It's known for its rapid release cycle, typically every six months, and its commitment to integrating cutting-edge software. Unlike the other distributions discussed, Fedora does not offer a long-term support (LTS) version. Fedora is where new features and technologies are often first introduced and tested before potentially making their way into RHEL. It typically ships with a mostly standard GNOME desktop environment and embraces new display servers like Wayland. Support for Fedora is entirely community-driven, accessible through forums, mailing lists, and IRC channels. Due to its rapid release cycle, there is no formal commercial support, and users are expected to upgrade frequently to remain supported. Fedora is the ideal choice for developers, tech enthusiasts, and system administrators who crave the absolute latest software and are comfortable with frequent updates. It's excellent for development workstations and testing new features, but generally not recommended for stable production servers due to its short support lifespan.
Nuances and Considerations for Choice
The post-CentOS landscape has led to a fascinating fragmentation of the RHEL-compatible Linux market, offering users more choices than ever before. This signifies a maturing RHEL ecosystem where each distribution has carved out a more distinct identity. Rocky and AlmaLinux directly fill the void for free, stable, binary-compatible RHEL alternatives for production. CentOS Stream and Fedora serve as innovation pipelines and testing grounds for future RHEL features, catering to developers and early adopters. Oracle Linux differentiates itself with its highly optimised UEK and direct, comprehensive vendor support, targeting specific enterprise workloads and Oracle's ecosystem. This means that the "one-size-fits-all" approach to RHEL derivatives is over. Users must now engage in a more nuanced decision-making process, carefully aligning their choice with their specific operational needs (stability versus bleeding-edge), risk tolerance, support requirements, and existing technology stack.
Furthermore, it's important to understand that while all these distributions are "free" in terms of software cost, their support models vary significantly. This highlights that "free" in the context of enterprise Linux does not equate to "free support" or "guaranteed long-term stability." The true "cost" of deploying and maintaining an enterprise Linux distribution extends far beyond the initial software acquisition. It encompasses the cost of internal IT staff for support, the risk and cost of downtime, the availability of timely security patches, and the assurance of long-term maintenance. Organisations must now weigh the apparent "zero cost" of the software against the potential hidden costs and risks associated with a lack of formal support or a shorter lifecycle. This encourages a strategic investment in the level of support that matches the criticality of their workloads, highlighting that for many enterprises, the assurance of vendor-backed support (like Oracle's) or strong community/partner ecosystems (like AlmaLinux/Rocky) is a vital component of their overall IT strategy, even if the base software is freely available.
The choice often boils down to your appetite for the latest features versus the need for long-term stability. Fedora and CentOS Stream are at the forefront of innovation, while Oracle Linux, Rocky, and AlmaLinux prioritise enterprise-grade stability and extended support. Your support requirements are paramount. Oracle Linux offers direct, comprehensive vendor support (paid), while Rocky and AlmaLinux rely on community and partner commercial support. CentOS Stream and Fedora are purely community-supported, with shorter lifecycles. Oracle Linux uniquely provides the highly optimised UEK alongside the RHCK, offering a performance edge for specific workloads. Other RHEL derivatives primarily stick to the RHEL-compatible kernel. Finally, if your infrastructure is heavily invested in Oracle's software and cloud services, Oracle Linux offers unparalleled integration and optimisation.
Conclusion: Powering the Future with Oracle Linux 10.0
Oracle Linux 10.0 stands as a formidable contender in the enterprise Linux arena. Its foundation on the robust RHEL 10, coupled with the performance-tuned Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel 8, delivers a potent combination of stability and speed. The unparalleled Ksplice technology ensures critical updates without disruptive reboots, a feature that genuinely sets it apart for maintaining continuous operations. Furthermore, its comprehensive security enhancements and enriched developer tooling underscore Oracle's commitment to providing a modern, secure, and efficient platform for today's complex IT landscapes.
This latest release is particularly well-suited for organisations deeply embedded in the Oracle ecosystem, running mission-critical Oracle Database, Exadata, or Oracle Cloud Infrastructure workloads. It's also an excellent choice for enterprises that place a premium on uptime, proactive security measures, and the assurance of comprehensive, vendor-backed support. Developers, too, will find a stable and feature-rich environment to build and deploy their next generation of applications. As businesses continue to embrace distributed and multicloud environments, Oracle Linux 10.0 is poised to play a pivotal role. It represents a mature, reliable, and forward-looking operating system that blends open-source flexibility with enterprise-grade assurance, empowering organisations to innovate with confidence.
Important Disclaimer
This article provides general information and analysis based on publicly available sources. All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. All company, product, and service names used in this article are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement. While we strive for accuracy, the information presented here is for educational purposes and should not be considered professional advice. As with any open-source software, end-users are advised to use Oracle Linux 10.0 at their own calculated risk after sound deliberation. Always remember to back up important data on your original device before making any significant system changes or installations.
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