# AlmaLinux

ZCP offers a maintained AlmaLinux image in every region. AlmaLinux is a community-owned, enterprise-grade Linux that is 1:1 binary-compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It is free and open-source. No license or activation is required.

For how all ZCP images behave on first boot, see [Operating System Images](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/operating-systems/).

## Available versions

AlmaLinux mirrors the RHEL release cadence and lifecycle, with roughly 10 years of support per major release.

| Version | Status | End of life |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AlmaLinux 9 | ✅ Available | 2032-05-31 (active support to 2027-05) |

End-of-life dates are set by the AlmaLinux OS Foundation. Confirm on the [AlmaLinux release notes](https://wiki.almalinux.org/release-notes/).

## Use cases

AlmaLinux is a free, 1:1 binary-compatible RHEL rebuild, community-owned and governed by a non-profit foundation. It gives you a stable enterprise base with no subscription:

- RHEL-compatible production servers: run RHEL-certified software unchanged, with identical packages, SELinux policies, and `dnf` tooling.
- CentOS replacement: a popular, well-supported migration path off end-of-life CentOS, with the ELevate tool for in-place upgrades.
- Enterprise application hosting: SAP, Oracle Database, and Java application servers that target the RHEL ecosystem.
- Web and database servers: Nginx, Apache, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, and MySQL on a long-lived base.
- Containers and DevOps: Podman, Docker, and Kubernetes nodes. CI/CD build and runner hosts.
- Cloud and hosting fleets: a predictable, security-maintained base for fleets that need a 10-year lifecycle.
- Regulated workloads: CIS Benchmark and STIG hardening guidance for compliance-sensitive environments.

## Default login

The default user is `almalinux`, with `sudo` for administration. Sign in over [SSH](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/compute/connect-ssh/) with the key you attached at create time, or with the portal-generated password.

```bash
ssh almalinux@<your-instance-ip>
```

## Deploy an AlmaLinux instance

1. Go to Compute → Create Instance (see [Create Instance](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/compute/create-instance/)).
2. Choose the AlmaLinux image.
3. Pick a region and a [plan](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/compute/instance-types/), and attach an SSH key.
4. Attach to a network and create the instance.

## Recommended first steps

- Update packages: `sudo dnf upgrade -y`.
- Confirm SSH key access, then lock down access with a [firewall rule](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/compute/settings/firewall/).

## AlmaLinux documentation

- [AlmaLinux documentation](https://wiki.almalinux.org/)

## Good to know

- Snapshots and backups work with the guest agent installed. See [VM Snapshots](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/backups-snapshots/vm-snapshots/) and [Backups](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/backups-snapshots/backups/).
- Other RHEL-compatible options: [Rocky Linux](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/operating-systems/rocky-linux/) and [Oracle Linux](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/operating-systems/oracle-linux/).