Anolis OS 23.3 GA: Precision, Performance and Global Open-Source Ambition

Anolis OS 23.3 GA: Precision, Performance and Global Open-Source Ambition

Table of contents:-

Introduction

The 23.3 Release: Features, Fixes and Known Issues

Target Audience and International Context

Conclusion

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Introduction

In the ever‑shifting landscape of enterprise Linux, few projects have emerged with the same strategic clarity and technical ambition as Anolis OS. Born from the OpenAnolis (龙蜥) community — a collaborative, open‑source initiative launched in December 2021 — it was conceived to deliver a secure, stable, high‑performance operating system that could serve both domestic and international enterprise needs.

From its inception, Anolis OS has been more than just another CentOS‑compatible distribution. It has been a statement of technological independence, a platform optimised for multi‑architecture support, and a proving ground for innovations in AI, cloud‑native computing, and confidential computing.

The 23.x series marks a generational leap for the project, with Anolis OS 23.3 Community Edition GA representing the latest refinement in this line. This release is not a mere incremental update; it is a carefully engineered milestone that blends upstream compatibility with targeted optimisations for diverse hardware ecosystems — from x86_64 servers in global data centres to LoongArch processors powering domestic infrastructure.

The support cycle for the Anolis OS 23 series extends until 2030, ensuring long‑term stability for enterprises that demand predictable lifecycles. Each point release, such as 23.3, is supported until the next iteration (23.4) arrives, delivering a continuous stream of security patches, bug fixes, and performance enhancements without breaking compatibility.

Deliverables for Anolis OS 23.3 Community Edition GA include:

• ISO installation images for x86_64, aarch64, loongarch64, and riscv64 (the latter in preview, not recommended for production).

• Network boot ISOs for the same architectures.

• Virtual machine images in qcow2 format for x86_64, aarch64, and loongarch64.

• Container images for base OS and architecture‑specific builds, hosted on official registries.

• YUM repositories for OS, updates, development tools, and Extras Package for Anolis (EAPO) components.

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The 23.3 Release: Features, Fixes and Known Issues

Anolis OS 23.3 GA is built on the layered architecture model (L0–L3), which separates the base system, core libraries, application stacks, and scenario‑specific packages. This modular approach allows the distribution to evolve rapidly in targeted areas without destabilising the core.

Key Features:

• Kernel and Hardware Support:
  The release ships with Linux kernel 6.6.88, incorporating optimisations for Intel Granite Rapids‑SP, Loongson 3E6000, Hygon C86‑4G, and enhanced Hygon HCT security features. New drivers include ps3stor for Linkdata HBA/RAID cards and sxe for Linkdata network cards, broadening compatibility for enterprise storage and networking.

• Toolchain and Core Libraries:
  GCC has been enhanced for LoongArch, GDB updated to 14.2, LLVM refined for LoongArch DAG optimisation, and glibc updated to support Hygon architectures. These changes ensure developers targeting domestic CPU architectures have first‑class tooling.

• Key Packages:
  Boost upgraded to 1.83.0, Golang to 1.24, linux‑firmware to 20250311, and microcode_ctl to 20250211.

• Ecosystem Software:
  Bind 9.18.34, Ceph upgraded from 17 to 18.2.1, Git 2.47.1, PHP 8.3.19, and updated storage libraries (libblockdev, udisks2, python‑blivet).

• Scenario‑Specific Enhancements:
  

• Cloud‑native: Kubernetes 1.27.8.

• Operations and Tuning: SystemTap 5.2, Valgrind 3.25.1.

• Virtualisation: QEMU with Hygon CSV1/2/3 secure boot and full‑disk encryption, Virt‑Manager 5.0.0, Libguestfs 1.54.0, Virtiofsd 1.13.0.

• Desktop: PulseAudio 17.0, updated Wayland protocols.

Fixes:
The 23.3 release resolves a wide range of issues identified in 23.2, including kernel subsystem bugs, architecture‑specific performance bottlenecks, and CVE‑related security vulnerabilities. Confidential computing features have been refined, driver stability improved, and LoongArch toolchain behaviour corrected.

Known Issues:

• RISC‑V images remain in preview and are not recommended for production workloads.

• Certain AI‑related packages in EAPO require manual repository enabling.

• Some legacy hardware may need manual driver installation for optimal performance.

Official Contributors:
The release is the result of coordinated work by the OpenAnolis community, with major contributions from Alibaba Cloud, Loongson, Hygon, and other partners. This collaborative model ensures upstream alignment while fostering innovation in AI, security, and hardware compatibility.

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Target Audience and International Context

Anolis OS 23.3 is aimed squarely at enterprises, research institutions, and government bodies seeking a CentOS‑compatible, production‑grade Linux distribution with extended architecture support and a strong AI and cloud‑native focus.

When compared internationally to AlmaLinux OS and Rocky Linux, Anolis OS stands out in several ways:

• Architectural Breadth: AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux primarily target x86_64 and aarch64, whereas Anolis OS extends official support to LoongArch, Hygon, and preview RISC‑V. This makes it particularly relevant in regions prioritising domestic CPU ecosystems.

• AI and Cloud‑Native Integration: Anolis OS embeds AI container images, GPU driver packages, and Kubernetes‑ready configurations as first‑class citizens, while AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux typically rely on upstream or third‑party integrations.

• Domestic Hardware Optimisation: Anolis OS invests heavily in performance tuning for Chinese‑developed processors, which may be less relevant for Western markets but is strategically important for Asia‑Pacific deployments.

• Global Compatibility: Despite domestic optimisations, Anolis OS maintains upstream compatibility with mainstream Linux software stacks, enabling deployment alongside AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux in hybrid or multi‑cloud environments.

For global enterprises, this means Anolis OS can act as a bridge between domestic compliance requirements and international interoperability, particularly in AI‑heavy and multi‑architecture scenarios.

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Conclusion

Anolis OS 23.3 Community Edition GA is a mature, forward‑looking release that blends upstream compatibility with targeted innovation. Its layered architecture, multi‑architecture support, AI‑readiness, and enterprise‑grade stability make it a compelling choice for organisations navigating both domestic and global technology landscapes.

For those seeking a CentOS‑compatible distribution with a long‑term roadmap, strong hardware diversity, and a collaborative development model, Anolis OS 23.3 is a release worth serious consideration.

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Disclaimer

Anolis OS, OpenAnolis, AlmaLinux OS, Rocky Linux, and all other names and marks are the trade names, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners. This article aims to provide accurate and factual information based on publicly available sources. End‑users are advised to evaluate this open‑source software at their own calculated risk, after careful deliberation, and to ensure that all important data on their original device is securely backed up before installation or upgrade.

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References:

1. Anolis OS 23.3 Community Edition GA Release Notes – OpenAnolis Documentation

2. Anolis OS 23 Overview – OpenAnolis Community

3. Anolis OS 23 GA Announcement – CSDN Blog

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