Fermilab and the European nuclear research organization CERN have made the decision to transition from using Scientific Linux to a new operating system called AlmaLinux. Scientific Linux, originally created to meet the needs of Fermilab, CERN, and other scientific institutions, ceased development in 2019. While the latest versions of Scientific Linux (6.x and 7.x) were supported until June 2024, a need for a current operating system remained.
AlmaLinux, which is also based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), was chosen as the successor to Scientific Linux. After consulting with scientists and specialists, it was determined that AlmaLinux shared many similarities with Scientific Linux and offered several advantages. These advantages include extended support, rapid release cycles, broader architectural support, and timely security patches. Furthermore, AlmaLinux exhibited full compatibility with other RHEL-like systems.
Despite the transition to AlmaLinux, scientific institutions like CERN and Fermilab still rely on RHEL for certain services and applications. Previously, these institutions utilized Scientific Linux and CentOS 7, which reached the end of their support in 2024.
Interestingly, Scientific Linux did not primarily feature a substantial suite of scientific software but served as a versatile operating system for various research entities. AlmaLinux continues this tradition by providing a stable and dependable platform for scientists worldwide.
The current iteration of AlmaLinux, version 9.4, was released in May 2022. Updates for this version are anticipated until 2027, with security support extending until 2032.