What Makes RHEL 10 Different From Previous Versions?

Table of Contents

• Introduction to RHEL 10
• Enhanced Kernel Performance
• Improved Security Features
• Updated Package Management with DNF
• Advanced File System Support
• Containerization and Virtualization Enhancements
• Cloud Integration and Hybrid Environment Support
• Systemd and Service Management Improvements
• User Experience and Interface Changes
• Best Practices for Enterprises and Beginners
• Conclusion

Introduction to RHEL 10

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 10 is the latest evolution in the RHEL family, offering cutting-edge features tailored for enterprise environments. While RHEL 8 and 9 provided stability, cloud integration, and container support, RHEL 10 goes further by combining improved kernel performance, enhanced security, advanced file systems, and stronger hybrid cloud capabilities. This makes it a modern platform for running mission-critical workloads, DevOps pipelines, and containerized applications.

Enterprises upgrading to RHEL 10 benefit from:

• Long-term support: Red Hat provides extended support and updates, ensuring operational stability.
• Enterprise-grade security: Enhanced SELinux policies, secure boot, and auditing tools protect critical data.
• Optimized cloud-native capabilities: Seamless integration with public and private cloud infrastructures.
• Improved developer and admin experience: Updated GNOME, CLI tools, and system management features simplify operations.

Overall, RHEL 10 is designed not only for system administrators but also for developers and IT decision-makers seeking a modern, secure, and high-performing Linux platform.

Enhanced Kernel Performance

The kernel is the heart of any Linux distribution. RHEL 10 introduces a refined, high-performance kernel that improves system responsiveness, scalability, and resource management compared to RHEL 8 and 9. This is particularly beneficial for:

• High-performance computing: Optimized scheduling ensures maximum CPU utilization for intensive tasks.
• Database workloads: Memory and I/O handling improvements reduce latency for large databases.
• Virtualization and container workloads: NUMA-aware scheduling and enhanced multi-core support boost performance.

Real-world example: Enterprises running PostgreSQL or Oracle databases on RHEL 10 observe faster transaction processing and reduced system bottlenecks due to improved kernel memory management and I/O scheduling.

Improved Security Features

RHEL 10 emphasizes security by integrating multiple layers of protection. Key enhancements include:

• SELinux refinement: More granular policies provide tighter control over system resources.
• Secure boot improvements: Ensures only signed kernels and boot loaders execute, preventing rootkits.
• Advanced auditing: Audit logs are easier to analyze for compliance and forensic purposes.
• Cryptography enhancements: Full system-wide support for FIPS-compliant algorithms.

Use case: A financial institution deploying RHEL 10 benefits from stricter access controls, meeting compliance standards like PCI DSS while minimizing insider threats.

Updated Package Management with DNF

RHEL 10 improves on the package management ecosystem introduced in RHEL 9. DNF now features:

• Faster dependency resolution and package installation.
• Improved rollback capabilities to revert to previous package versions.
• Better support for modular streams and multiple repositories.
• GPG signature verification for secure installations.

For beginners, DNF commands remain intuitive (dnf install package, dnf update, dnf remove package), while advanced users benefit from automation-friendly options like scripting updates across multiple servers.

Advanced File System Support

RHEL 10 provides enhanced storage management options with support for XFS, EXT4, Stratis, and VDO. Key improvements include:

• XFS: Optimized for metadata handling and large-scale enterprise storage.
• EXT4: Stable and reliable with enhanced journaling.
• Stratis: Simplified volume and storage pool management for administrators.
• VDO: Deduplication and compression to save disk space on large datasets.

Containerization and Virtualization Enhancements

RHEL 10 provides advanced support for containers and virtualization, making it ideal for modern DevOps and cloud-native workflows:

• Podman and Buildah improvements for faster container image builds.
• KVM virtualization enhancements for better resource isolation and performance.
• Integration with Red Hat OpenShift for orchestration at scale.
• Support for multi-tenancy with secure containerized environments.

Example: Developers can run multiple isolated containers for testing without affecting production servers, while IT teams can deploy virtual machines alongside containers on the same host for maximum resource utilization.

Cloud Integration and Hybrid Environment Support

RHEL 10 is optimized for hybrid cloud environments with seamless public and private cloud deployment. Enhancements include:

• Cloud-init integration for automated provisioning.
• Compatibility with AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and private clouds.
• Enhanced orchestration and automation for DevOps workflows.
• Improved container and VM mobility between on-prem and cloud platforms.

Real-world example: Enterprises can migrate workloads from an on-premises RHEL 10 server to AWS without downtime, while maintaining compliance and security policies.

Systemd and Service Management Improvements

Systemd in RHEL 10 comes with multiple improvements to simplify service management:

• Faster boot times due to parallel service startup.
• Dependency-based service management ensures services start in the correct order.
• Enhanced logging with journalctl for easier diagnostics and troubleshooting.
• Service recovery automation to minimize downtime in production systems.

Example: Administrators can automatically restart a failed web server service using systemd unit files, ensuring uninterrupted access to critical applications.

User Experience and Interface Changes

RHEL 10 introduces user-friendly updates for both GUI and CLI users:

• GNOME desktop enhancements for smoother navigation and workflow efficiency.
• Updated command-line tools for system monitoring, package management, and container management.
• Consistency between desktop, server, and cloud environments.
• Better documentation and help commands integrated directly into the OS.

Example: Administrators managing multiple servers can use CLI scripts to update packages, check system health, and deploy containers without switching between multiple tools.

Best Practices for Enterprises and Beginners

To maximize the benefits of RHEL 10, enterprises and beginners should follow these practices:

• Regularly apply security patches and updates using DNF.
• Keep SELinux in enforcing mode and regularly review audit logs.
• Leverage systemd features to automate service recovery and monitoring.
• Use Stratis or VDO for efficient storage management in large-scale deployments.
• Test containerized applications with Podman or Buildah in isolated environments before production deployment.
• Utilize cloud-init for automated provisioning in hybrid cloud environments.
• Document system configurations to simplify troubleshooting and onboarding of new administrators.

Conclusion

RHEL 10 stands apart from previous versions due to its enhanced kernel performance, refined security features, improved package management, advanced file systems, and better cloud-native and container support. It provides enterprises with a secure, high-performing, and flexible operating system suitable for hybrid, containerized, and high-demand workloads. Understanding these differences helps administrators, developers, and IT decision-makers leverage RHEL 10 to its full potential.

FAQ

What makes RHEL 10 different from RHEL 9?

RHEL 10 offers enhanced kernel performance, refined SELinux policies, optimized file systems, faster package management with DNF, and improved cloud and container integration.

What are the key security improvements in RHEL 10?

Enhanced SELinux policies, secure boot improvements, FIPS-compliant cryptography, and advanced auditing capabilities protect enterprise workloads.

Does RHEL 10 support both containers and virtual machines?

Yes, it includes Podman and Buildah for containers and KVM for virtual machines, with improved performance and resource isolation.

Which file systems are optimized in RHEL 10?

XFS, EXT4, Stratis, and VDO have performance and storage management improvements compared to earlier versions.

Is package management different in RHEL 10?

Yes, DNF has faster dependency resolution, improved rollback capabilities, and better modular repository support.

Can RHEL 10 be deployed in hybrid cloud environments?

Yes, it supports AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and private cloud platforms with cloud-init integration for automated provisioning.

What kernel improvements does RHEL 10 have?

Optimized process scheduling, enhanced memory management, improved NUMA support, and better I/O handling for high-demand workloads.

Does RHEL 10 improve boot times?

Yes, parallel service startup via systemd reduces overall boot time compared to previous versions.

Is RHEL 10 suitable for enterprise workloads?

Absolutely. Its performance, security, and hybrid cloud capabilities make it ideal for mission-critical enterprise applications.

What is Stratis in RHEL 10?

Stratis is a storage management solution for pools, volumes, and snapshots that simplifies administration in enterprise environments.

What are the main benefits of upgrading to RHEL 10?

Enhanced security, performance, package management, file systems, container support, and cloud integration.

Does RHEL 10 enable easier monitoring?

Yes, systemd logging and enhanced auditing tools improve monitoring and diagnostics for administrators.

What desktop improvements exist in RHEL 10?

GNOME enhancements and updated CLI tools provide smoother workflows and consistency across server and desktop environments.

Can beginners use RHEL 10?

Yes, it remains user-friendly for beginners while providing advanced features for professional administrators.

How does RHEL 10 optimize container workloads?

Podman and Buildah enhancements allow faster builds, better isolation, and improved orchestration with OpenShift integration.