Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 10 Beta has officially been released

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 10 Beta has officially been released for testing! This beta version introduces a lot of exciting new features, security improvements, and performance optimizations.

RHEL 10 is built on Kernel 6.11.0 and features updates to key libraries like OpenSSH, SELinux, and Podman. The final version of RHEL 10 is expected to arrive by mid-2025.

Let’s break down the key changes, what’s new, and what’s been removed, so users know what to expect when migrating from earlier versions of RHEL.

Key New Features in RHEL 10 Beta

1. RHEL Lightspeed – Generative AI Tool
   • What it is: This is one of the most exciting additions. RHEL Lightspeed is an AI-powered tool designed to help users manage RHEL more effectively. It can offer troubleshooting tips, performance tuning advice, and guide users through the management of RHEL systems. For example, it can replace complex commands with simple, understandable language, making it easier for new users to operate RHEL.
   • My Opinion: This could be a game-changer for system administrators and DevOps teams, especially for those who are not as experienced with the command line. It shows Red Hat’s commitment to integrating emerging AI technologies into its ecosystem.
2. Improved Image Mode
   • What it is: RHEL 10 improves the image mode to make it easier for DevOps teams to integrate RHEL into Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) and GitOps workflows. Additionally, security teams will benefit from easier integration of security tools for containers.
   • My Opinion: This is a great move, as containerization is becoming more and more important in modern software development. Anything that simplifies integration with CI/CD pipelines is a win for developers.
3. Simplified Installer
   • What it is: The installation process has been made simpler. Now, users can more easily select time zones, and new users are automatically given administrator privileges.
   • My Opinion: A simpler installer is always a welcome update. Red Hat is focusing on making RHEL more user-friendly, especially for people who may not be familiar with Linux installation.
4. Enhanced Security Features
   • What it is: RHEL 10 includes updates like OpenSSH 9.8 for better security and new sudo system roles for easier management. Other updates include improvements to OpenSSL and SELinux.
   • My Opinion: Security is always a top priority, especially in enterprise environments. These updates show that Red Hat is taking security seriously, which is crucial as threats continue to evolve.
5. Optimized Software Management
   • What it is: The package manager, DNF, now uses librpmio for more consistent PGP key processing, and repository metadata is now optimized, leading to faster download speeds and less disk space usage.
   • My Opinion: This is a practical update that will help admins manage software and system resources more efficiently. Faster downloads and less space usage are small improvements that add up over time.
6. Performance Improvements
   • What it is: RHEL 10 includes updates like glibc 2.39, which optimizes performance on AMD Zen 3 and Zen 4 processors. This will improve overall system performance, particularly on newer hardware.
   • My Opinion: Performance optimizations for specific hardware, especially AMD chips, are always good. They help ensure that RHEL remains competitive in a world where hardware is advancing quickly.
7. Updated Tools and Languages
   • What it is: RHEL 10 comes with updated versions of key development tools and languages, including GCC, Java, Rust, Go, and Python 3.12. Node.js 22 and Perl 5.40 are also included, bringing many new features and improvements.
   • My Opinion: These updates ensure that RHEL supports the latest development standards and tools. Developers using RHEL for their applications will appreciate the new versions of these popular programming languages.
8. High Availability and Clusters
   • What it is: Improvements to high availability clusters include a better command-line interface and the integration of the pcsd Web UI into the RHEL web console.
   • My Opinion: High availability is crucial for enterprise systems, and these improvements should help streamline cluster management. It makes managing multiple systems and ensuring uptime much easier.

What’s Removed in RHEL 10 Beta?

As with any new version, some older components have been removed or deprecated:

• 32-bit multilib packages are gone.
• Desktop applications like Totem, gedit, and LibreOffice have been removed.
• These removals mainly affect older components that had already been deprecated, so users had time to transition to alternatives.

My Opinion: These removals make sense as Red Hat focuses on more modern solutions and better performance. However, users who rely on those older tools should make sure to transition before upgrading to RHEL 10.

Known Issues in RHEL 10 Beta

While the RHEL 10 Beta has a lot of exciting new features, there are some known issues that users should be aware of:

• System registration with Red Hat Satellite isn’t supported yet.
• The Red Hat Insights remediations service is unavailable for directly connected systems.
• Nginx does not support PKCS #11 and TPM.

My Opinion: These are typical issues for a beta release, and Red Hat will likely resolve them by the time the final version is out. Users testing the beta should keep an eye on updates and be prepared for some glitches.

Try RHEL 10 Beta

You can download and try the RHEL 10 Beta from Red Hat’s website or use the Red Hat Insights Image Builder to test it on your preferred cloud platform. It’s a great opportunity to get a preview of what’s coming in the final release and test your systems with the new features.

Conclusion

RHEL 10 Beta is an exciting release with many updates and improvements that will benefit both developers and system administrators. RHEL Lightspeed, in particular, is a standout feature, offering generative AI to assist with system management. The performance improvements, security updates, and simplified installer all make RHEL 10 more user-friendly and capable.

However, there are some known issues, and the removal of older components may require some adjustments from existing users. But overall, this beta is shaping up to be a solid release that’s worth testing.

As for my personal opinion: It’s clear that Red Hat is moving toward a more streamlined, AI-assisted, and secure version of RHEL, which is exciting for the future of enterprise Linux. If you’re already using RHEL or thinking about it, it’s definitely worth trying out the beta to get a feel for what’s coming.