Oracle infrastructures launched recently the version 9.6 of its Oracle Linux operating system, an important update for those using Linux-based business environments. This release is binary aligned with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.6, allowing businesses to easily migrate or integrate systems, taking advantage of the robustness and support of both platforms.
The release of Oracle Linux 9.6 not only brings new features, but also a renewed commitment to safety, access to updates, and flexibility—factors highly valued by those who manage critical infrastructure. The system also maintains the philosophy of open and free access to package repositories, facilitating the unrestricted availability of patches and enhancements.
Oracle Linux 9.6 is based on RHEL 9.6
OracleLinux 9.6 It is built on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.6 package base., ensuring full binary compatibility. For those seeking stability and easy interoperability, this means that applications and environments designed for RHEL will work just the same on Oracle Linux, without the need for additional adjustments. The package includes ISO installation images in different sizes (13 GB and 1,3 GB) and support for both x86_64 and ARM64 (aarch64) architectures.
Free access to repositories and patches
One of the strong points of this version is the unrestricted and free access to the yum repository Oracle Linux 9.6, from which you can download binaries, security updates, and bug fixes. In addition, Oracle has prepared separate repositories for package sets such as Application Streams y CodeReady Builder, designed to facilitate the implementation of customized solutions or development environments.
Oracle Linux 9.6 includes Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel 8: One step further
Along with the traditional RHEL-based kernel, Oracle Linux 9.6 comes with its own optimized kernel by default, known as Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel 8 (UEK 8)This release is based on Linux 6.12 and is designed to improve performance with Oracle applications and hardware. UEK 8 seeks to excel in demanding environments, offering enhancements such as DTrace integration for real-time analysis and a better compatibility with the Btrfs file systemThe kernel source code, including all its patches, is publicly available in Oracle's Git repository, reinforcing its commitment to transparency.
Functional equivalence with RHEL 9.6
Thanks to the direct inheritance of RHEL 9.6, The features and functionality of Oracle Linux 9.6 and its Red Hat counterpart are virtually identical., with the exception of Oracle's own kernel. This way, users can benefit from Oracle's innovation without losing the advantages of the industry-standard platform. The full list of changes can be found in the official RHEL 9.6 announcement.
Options and facilities for companies
Oracle Linux 9.6 offers flexible installation and maintenance options, adapting to both small businesses and large corporations. Extended architectural support, coupled with constantly updated repositories and the ability to use a specialized kernel, make this release a solution worth considering for those who need a reliable and secure platform.
The arrival of Oracle Linux 9.6 represents a step forward in terms of compatibility, open access to updates and customization thanks to its proprietary kernel, while maintaining compliance with the standards demanded by the professional IT sector. The combination of support for different architectures, access to rich package repositories, and the option to use UEK 8 makes this operating system a robust alternative for business infrastructures.