Few Linux distributions are as important as Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Not only because it has great economic support from Red Hat and now by IBM, but it has earned the pulse to be considered ideal for cloud servers, enterprises, and servers worldwide. So, we are talking about a very serious distribution focused on a very specific type of market. From it, many projects and complete data infrastructure are created. So as you have noticed it is a totally important release within Linux. Finally, RHEL 8 is available.
After a long 5 years since the last major version, RHEL 8 is available. It has numerous improvements for the sector where it competes. First of all, we have a general update of all the basic components of the system. For example, we will find a new version of the OpenSSL and TLS security protocols or Yum. As well as the Linux kernel, libraries, and compilers.
RHEL 8 is available: Some features
For developers
In this new version, Red Hat has wanted to give developers many tools with the inclusion of three pre-enabled repositories that will further simplify the development experience. First, there is the BaseOS repository with all the basic packages for the system to work. Next, we have the AppStream repository where other packages will be hosted in order to extend the functionality of the distribution as runtime languages, databases, or web servers. Finally, there is the CodeReady Builder repository with extra development libraries in addition to other tools.
Introducing Universal Base Image
Without a doubt, this is one of the most important novelties of this new version of RHEL. With the aim of improving the deployment of applications, RHEL 8 allows containers based and built with this distribution, can be reused on any platform. So this ensures uniformity when deploying these containers. Of course, it is necessary for the platform to comply with the OCI standard. But without a doubt, this is a gigantic advance in this aspect. Behind this, of course, is Kubernetes.
For more information about UBI, we recommend you visit the RHEL website.
Ansible closer than ever
RHEL 8 is available and with it incorporates even more integration with Ansible. Making it even part of the system roes. This minimizes human error when using Ansible. In addition, it is a step forward in the automation of processes performed by devops on servers and network infrastructure.
RHEL 8 is the last version before the IBM era
This release is very important for all the news it brings, but also because it is the last one in which Red Hat has full decision-making power. From now on, it remains to be seen what will become of the future of distribution. Remember that IBM acquired Red Hat for 34 Billion.
At that time we emphasized that the parties wanted to come together to create something great. In other words, they want to completely dominate the business sector and take it to other technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT). So, it is to be hoped that this version will be a starting point for all the plans that both companies have for all of us.
Remember that RHEL 8 is not free and for a free and quite reliable solution, we will have to wait for CentOS 8.
For more and better information, it’s a good idea to check the release notes.
