Check which kernel is running:
uname -r
To switch default kernels, install the other:
sudo dnf install kernel-uek # Switch to UEK
sudo dnf install kernel # Switch to RHCK
Then reboot after setting the default in GRUB.
inst.text console=tty0 console=ttyS0,115200
The installation will proceed in command-line mode. After reboot, install VMware tools or VirtIO drivers.
The internet is littered with unofficial, outdated, or malicious ISO files. Always download your Oracle Linux 8.5 ISO directly from Oracle.
Oracle provides the ISO legally and freely. You do not need a support contract to download or use the base operating system. However, you do need a free Oracle Single Sign-On (SSO) account.
This report outlines the key details, features, and procurement methods for the Oracle Linux 8.5
ISO, a critical update in the Oracle Linux 8 series designed for enterprise workloads. Executive Summary: Oracle Linux 8.5
Released in late 2021, Oracle Linux 8.5 (UL8.5) provides a robust platform for on-premises, cloud, and edge environments, maintaining 100% application binary compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 8.5. It is entirely free to download, use, and distribute, including production use. Oracle Linux Yum Server 1. Key Features & Updates Ships with the Red Hat Compatible Kernel (RHCK) (4.18.0-348.el8) and the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel Release 6 (UEK R6) (5.4.17-2136.300.7.el8uek). Optional Kernel:
Starting with 8.5, UEK Release 7 (UEK R7) became available as an option. Security & Compliance: Crypto-policies:
Updated to support AES-192 ciphers and better control for Libreswan. Updated to 1.3.5, including new profiles.
Added to assist in creating SELinux policies for container security. System Management:
Continues to be the primary tool for container management (replacing Docker). RPM/SQLite:
Includes read-only support for RPM sqlite database backend, allowing container package inspection from the host.
Relax-and-Recover (ReaR) enhanced to detect thin pools and improve volume group restoration. Storage & Networking: FCoE disabling command changed from rd.nofcoe=0 Oracle Help Center 2. ISO Procurement & Installation Oracle Linux ISOs | Oracle, Software. Hardware. Complete.
Oracle Linux 8.5 is an enterprise-class operating system that offers a stable, secure, and performant environment for diverse workloads, from on-premises installations to cloud deployments. Released in late 2021, this update introduced several enhancements to kernels, management tools, and developer resources. Core Components and Kernels oracle linux 8.5 iso
Oracle Linux 8.5 provides flexibility through two main kernel options:
Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK): This release includes UEK Release 6 (kernel version 5.4.17) as the default. However, Oracle Linux 8.5 is the first version that allows users to optionally install UEK Release 7.
Red Hat Compatible Kernel (RHCK): For maximum compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), users can opt for the RHCK (kernel version 4.18.0). Key Features in Oracle Linux 8.5
Enhanced Security: Includes live kernel and user-space patching to boost availability without reboots, alongside updated compliance certifications like FIPS and Common Criteria.
Application Streams: Uses the Application Streams (AppStream) model to deliver multiple versions of software packages (like Python, Ruby, or MariaDB) on the same OS.
Management Automation: Improved automation tools for managing hybrid cloud deployments and container environments.
RDMA Support: Introduces support for Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) packages for both UEK R6 and R7, enabling low-latency networking in high-performance clusters. Downloading ISO Images
Oracle Linux is completely free to download, use, and distribute without a subscription. You can obtain ISO images from the Oracle Linux Yum Server or the Oracle Software Delivery Cloud. Available ISO types typically include: Oracle Linux ISOs | Oracle, Software. Hardware. Complete.
The Oracle Linux 8.5 Full ISO (approximately 8.6 GB) is a comprehensive installation image that includes all the packages required for a complete system setup without needing an active internet connection. It is designed for both x86_64 and ARM64 (aarch64) architectures and is based on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 8.5 package base. Key Features of Oracle Linux 8.5 Dual Kernel Options:
Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK) Release 6: Based on the Linux 5.4 mainline kernel, optimized for enterprise workloads and Oracle software.
Red Hat Compatible Kernel (RHCK): Based on the Linux 4.18 kernel to maintain strict compatibility with RHEL 8.5.
Advanced File Systems: Support for Btrfs and OCFS2 is fully enabled when using the UEK kernel. Enhanced Performance & Security:
Live Patching: Ability to update the kernel and user-space without rebooting the system.
RDMA Support: High-throughput, low-latency networking for clusters.
Security Compliance: Includes tools like OpenSCAP and support for UEFI Secure Boot. Check which kernel is running: uname -r
Management Tools: Features the Cockpit web console for simplified server management and monitoring. Installation Requirements
For a full feature installation (Server with GUI), the following minimum hardware is recommended: Oracle Linux ISOs | Oracle, Software. Hardware. Complete.
The Oracle Linux 8.5 ISO offers a stable, secure, and cost-effective foundation for enterprise workloads. Whether you’re running a three-node Oracle RAC database, a Kubernetes cluster, or a simple LAMP stack, this distribution delivers enterprise polish without the price tag.
By following the steps above—from verifying the ISO checksum to post-install kernel tuning—you’ll transform a raw ISO file into a production-ready server. And because Oracle maintains binary compatibility with RHEL, you’re never locked into a single vendor.
Ready to get started? Head over to yum.oracle.com and download the official Oracle Linux 8.5 ISO today. Deploy it on bare metal, in virtual machines, or in the Oracle Cloud—the choice is yours, and the power is free.
Byline: Your Name / Your Tech Blog
Last updated: [Current Month, Year]
Oracle Linux 8.5 is an enterprise-grade operating system designed for high performance and hybrid cloud flexibility. It is 100% application binary compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), allowing you to run RHEL-certified applications without modification while benefiting from Oracle-specific optimizations. Key Features of the 8.5 Release
Kernel Options: Shipped with the Red Hat Compatible Kernel (RHCK) and the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel Release 6 (UEK R6). Notably, Oracle Linux 8.5 was the first to offer UEK R7 as an optional installation.
Infrastructure Updates: Includes updates to core tools like chrony (v4.1) for time synchronization, PowerTop (v2.14) for power management, and linuxptp (v3.1).
Security & Compliance: Features the udica package for tailored container security policies and updates to SELinux tools (v2.9).
Enhanced Performance: Introduces 5-level paging to extend memory bus limits for massive physical and virtual memory addressing. Oracle Linux ISOs | Oracle, Software. Hardware. Complete.
Oracle Linux 8.5: A Comprehensive Review
Introduction
Oracle Linux is a popular enterprise-grade Linux distribution that offers a robust and secure platform for organizations. The latest version, Oracle Linux 8.5, was released in October 2021, and it comes with a range of exciting features and enhancements. In this paper, we will provide an in-depth review of Oracle Linux 8.5, including its key features, installation process, and system requirements.
Overview of Oracle Linux 8.5
Oracle Linux 8.5 is a downstream version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 8.5, which means that it is binary-compatible with RHEL. This compatibility ensures that Oracle Linux 8.5 can run RHEL applications and packages without any modifications. Oracle Linux 8.5 is designed to provide a stable and secure platform for organizations, with a focus on performance, scalability, and reliability.
Key Features of Oracle Linux 8.5
Some of the key features of Oracle Linux 8.5 include:
Installation Process
The installation process for Oracle Linux 8.5 is straightforward and easy to follow. The installation ISO image can be downloaded from the Oracle website, and it can be used to create a bootable USB drive or DVD. The installation process involves the following steps:
System Requirements
The system requirements for Oracle Linux 8.5 are as follows:
ISO Image Details
The Oracle Linux 8.5 ISO image is a single image that can be used for both 64-bit and Arm64 architectures. The ISO image is approximately 10GB in size, and it includes the following files:
Conclusion
Oracle Linux 8.5 is a robust and secure enterprise-grade Linux distribution that offers a range of exciting features and enhancements. Its improved security, performance, and scalability make it an ideal platform for organizations. The installation process is straightforward, and the system requirements are minimal. The ISO image is easy to download and use, and it includes a range of files that can be used to install and configure the operating system.
References
Appendix
The following is a list of common commands used in Oracle Linux 8.5:
Some common dnf commands include:
Some common systemctl commands include: