Recientemente the release of the ninth ALT Linux P9 platform was presented, which is a new stable branch of ALT repositories based on the free software Sisyphus repository.
The platform is designed to develop, test, distribute, update and support solutions complex complexes of a wide range, from embedded devices to enterprise servers and data centers.
ALT p9 contains package repositories and infrastructure to work with eight architectures:
- top four (synchronous build, open repositories): x86_64, i586, aarch64 (ARMv8), ppc64le (Power8 / 9)
- additional two (recovery build, open repositories): mipsel (32-bit MIPS), armh (ARMv7)
- two closed (separate mounting, images and repositories available to team owners upon request): e2k (Elbrus-4C), e2kv4 (Elbrus-8C / 1C +).
Compilation for all architectures is exclusively native as ARM / MIPS images include options for release on QEMU.
As well as a list of architecture specific packages for e2k that is available along with information on regular branches.
Since 2018, the Sisyphus unstable repository has supported the rv64gc (riscv64) architecture, which will be added to p9 after the appearance of user systems in it.
About ALT Linux P9
To get started quickly with Platform XNUMX, Basalt SPO offers users who prefer to independently determine system composition and layout boot images of starter kits for supported architectures.
The ninth platform offers users and developers the opportunity to use the Elbrus, Meadowsweet, Yadro, Elvis systems and compatible from Russia, a wide range of equipment from global manufacturers, including powerful Huawei ARMv8 servers and various ARMv7 and ARMv8 single board systems (e.g. nVidia Jetson Nano, Raspberry Pi 2/3 and Allwinner like Orange Pi Prime, while which for RPi4 works in progress).
The major version of the Linux kernel (std-def) en the time of launch is 4.19.66, while the newer kernel is 5.2.9 it is also available.
A significant difference from p8 is the transition of the RPM package manager to version 4.13 as a base (previously a deep fork of version 4.0.4 was used).
Among other things, it provides support for rpmlib (FileDigests), which was previously missing from many third-party packages such as Chrome, and the GNOME Application Center for affected stores.
Some changes were also made to APT, of which the following stand out:
- An rpmlib (FileDigests) support has appeared that will allow you to install third-party packages (Yandex Browser, Chrome, and others) without having to repackage them.
- Added the apt-get autoremove command that removes all automatically installed dependencies that are no longer needed, and an apt-mark utility with which you can designate a package as automatically / manually installed.
- The apt-upgrade command is forbidden by default.
- the default value of APT :: Cache-Limit is increased by 1,5 times.
- update the shell embedded in Lua 5.3.
- Numerous fixes and improvements.
Support for domestic crypto algorithms was added using openssl-gost-engine. A new gostsum package also appeared, which allows you to calculate the checksum according to the GOST R 34.11-2012 algorithm.
Considerable attention has been paid to infrastructure-free solutions, including a unified Samba assembly suitable for deploying file services and an Active Directory domain controller.
Docker images for the architectures aarch64, i586, ppc64le and x86_64 are available on the official Docker website, while images for LXC / LXD at images.linuxcontainers.org.
The beta versions of the Alt distributions on the Ninth platform are also available: Workstation (regular and K), Server, Education.
Version 9.0 is scheduled for Fall 2019. Additionally, they are working on Simply Linux 9 and a new distribution.
Finally Alt Virtualization Server. Basalt SPO invites all developers to conduct joint testing to ensure compatibility with the XNUMXth ALT platform.
How to get ALT Linux P9?
For those who are interested in being able to try this new version of ALT Linux, they will be able to do so. by going to the following link, where you can download the version of your choice with the desktop environment of your choice.