AlmaLinux has released AlmaLinux OS 9.8 “Olive Jaguar” and AlmaLinux OS 10.2 “Lavender Lion” at the same time, marking the first simultaneous stable release in the project’s history. The distribution, widely used in server environments and as a community-driven alternative within the Enterprise Linux ecosystem, uses this launch to reinforce its core message: stability, practical compatibility and a more predictable update cadence for system administrators.
The double release is more than a scheduling detail. The AlmaLinux OS Foundation presents it as the result of internal improvements in automation, release engineering procedures, QA pipelines and parallel build capacity. In practical terms, this means users of both the 9 and 10 branches no longer have to wait an additional week to receive their corresponding stable update.
Two branches for two different use cases
AlmaLinux 9.8 remains focused on continuity and maturity for organizations still running the 9 branch. It ships with kernel 5.14.0-687.5.3.el9_8, new compiler toolsets, Python 3.14 as a new package, new streams for MariaDB, PostgreSQL and Ruby, and an updated Node.js 24 module stream.
Key container and virtualization components have also been updated, including Podman, Buildah, libvirt, QEMU-KVM and skopeo. On the security side, the project highlights improvements to OpenSSL, OpenSSH, GnuTLS, SELinux policies and crypto-policies.
One of the most interesting additions in AlmaLinux 9.8 is an ALESCo-approved backport that lands ahead of upstream. It fixes excessive CPU usage by systemd and ps during task cleanup. According to AlmaLinux, the patch was originally submitted to CentOS Stream 9, but its inclusion was deferred until at least RHEL 9.9, so the committee decided to include it now in 9.8.
AlmaLinux 10.2 targets newer environments and administrators who want a more modern technology base. This release arrives with kernel 6.12.0-211.7.3.el10_2, Python 3.14, PostgreSQL 18, MariaDB 11.8, Ruby 4.0, PHP 8.4, SDL3, libkrun, trustee and FIDO Device Onboard tooling. On the desktop, it includes GNOME 49.
| Feature | AlmaLinux 9.8 | AlmaLinux 10.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Codename | Olive Jaguar | Lavender Lion |
| Kernel | 5.14.0-687.5.3.el9_8 | 6.12.0-211.7.3.el10_2 |
| Python | Python 3.14 as a new package | Python 3.14 |
| Databases | New MariaDB and PostgreSQL streams | PostgreSQL 18 and MariaDB 11.8 |
| Languages | New Ruby streams, Node.js 24 | Ruby 4.0 and PHP 8.4 |
| Desktop | Not highlighted as a major change | GNOME 49 |
| Architectures | x86_64, aarch64, ppc64le, s390x | x86_64, x86_64_v2, aarch64, ppc64le, s390x |
| Key highlight | Backport fixing excessive CPU usage | i686 userspace, Btrfs, SPICE and broader legacy hardware support |
AlmaLinux 10.2 goes beyond strict upstream compatibility
The 10.2 branch is especially relevant because it keeps several AlmaLinux-specific choices that differ from upstream. These include Btrfs support, including the ability to boot from a Btrfs volume, the CRB repository enabled by default, and a parallel x86_64_v2 build with matching EPEL coverage for older hardware.
The arrival of i686 userspace packages in AlmaLinux 10.2 also matters. It enables legacy 32-bit software, CI pipelines and containerized workloads that still depend on that architecture. For companies with older applications, testing labs or continuous integration environments, this can be an important difference.
The project also brings back SPICE support for both client and server applications, enables KVM for IBM POWER in the virtualization stack, re-enables frame pointers by default for easier system-wide profiling, and ships Firefox and Thunderbird as regular RPMs in the system repositories. It also re-adds a long list of older storage and networking drivers, including devices from Adaptec, Dell PERC, HP, Mellanox, QLogic, Emulex, LSI and Broadcom.
That decision reflects an interesting balance. Many enterprise distributions tend to remove support for older hardware to simplify maintenance. AlmaLinux 10.2, by contrast, tries to keep a path open for organizations still running servers, storage controllers or network cards that remain useful in production, labs or secondary environments.
Images for cloud, containers and desktop
AlmaLinux is also preparing images for a wide range of deployment scenarios. In addition to installation ISOs and torrents for supported architectures, the project provides container images, Platform and UBI alternatives, LXC/LXD, Live Media with GNOME, KDE, XFCE, MATE and other options, as well as cloud images for AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, OpenNebula, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and generic cloud-init environments.
Vagrant Boxes are also planned for Libvirt, VirtualBox, Hyper-V, VMware and Parallels on AArch64, alongside images for Raspberry Pi and Windows Subsystem for Linux on x86_64 and AArch64.
| Image type | Expected availability |
|---|---|
| Installation ISO | Available on mirrors |
| Torrents | Available by architecture |
| Containers | Platform and UBI alternatives |
| LXC/LXD | Expected after public repositories are ready |
| Live Media | GNOME, GNOME-mini, KDE, XFCE, MATE and more |
| Cloud | AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, OpenNebula, OCI and Generic Cloud |
| Vagrant | Libvirt, VirtualBox, Hyper-V, VMware and Parallels |
| Other formats | Raspberry Pi and WSL |
This range matters because AlmaLinux is no longer consumed only as a classic bare-metal installation. It is used in cloud environments, containers, labs, development setups, appliances, base images and virtualization platforms. The broader the availability of official images, the lower the friction for adoption and upgrades.
Security and recent patches
Both versions include patches for several high-profile vulnerabilities recently covered by the project. AlmaLinux mentions Copy Fail (CVE-2026-31431), Dirty FRAG, Fragnesia (CVE-2026-46300), nginx Rift (CVE-2026-42945) and SSH Keysign Pwn (CVE-2026-46333).
For administrators installing fresh systems or upgrading unpatched AlmaLinux 9.7 or 10.1 deployments, this reduces the initial maintenance burden. Even so, as always in production systems, upgrades should be planned with prior testing, application compatibility checks, backups and controlled maintenance windows.
AlmaLinux 9.8 and 10.2 arrive at a time when many organizations are still reassessing their Enterprise Linux strategy, especially after the changes seen in recent years across the RHEL-compatible ecosystem. The simultaneous release of two stable versions does not change the market on its own, but it does send a clear signal of operational maturity.
For those prioritizing continuity, AlmaLinux 9.8 offers a conservative update with security improvements and updated components. For those seeking a newer base, AlmaLinux 10.2 adds more ambitious changes in hardware support, architecture, profiling, desktop and compatibility. The right choice will depend less on novelty and more on the lifecycle of each infrastructure environment.
Frequently asked questions
Which versions has AlmaLinux released?
AlmaLinux has released AlmaLinux OS 9.8 “Olive Jaguar” and AlmaLinux OS 10.2 “Lavender Lion” as stable versions.
Why does the same-day release matter?
It is the first time AlmaLinux has published two stable releases simultaneously, reflecting improvements in automation, QA and internal build processes.
Which version should be used in production?
It depends on the environment. AlmaLinux 9.8 is better suited to systems prioritizing continuity on an established branch. AlmaLinux 10.2 offers a newer base with more changes across hardware, software and architecture.
What are the main highlights of AlmaLinux 10.2?
Key additions include i686 userspace support, Btrfs with bootable Btrfs volumes, CRB enabled by default, x86_64_v2 builds, GNOME 49, KVM for IBM POWER, SPICE support and restored legacy hardware drivers.