Red Hat Linux Enterprise 10 Review

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10: The Future of Enterprise Computing

Red Hat Enterprise Linux version 10 has arrived, and it's not just another incremental update. This is a massive release that represents an evolutionary jump for one of Linux's most prominent distributions, bringing groundbreaking technology that will fundamentally change how we interact with enterprise systems.

 AI Integration: Meet Lightspeed

The most exciting feature in RHEL 10 is Red Hat's Lightspeed AI, integrated directly into the command line interface. This makes RHEL 10 the first major Linux distribution to embed AI at the system level.

Getting started is remarkably simple. After installing the command line assistant package, you can access Lightspeed by typing `cla` or `c` in your terminal. From there, you can ask questions in natural language, such as:

- "Help me figure out why my system is slow to boot"

- Install applications

- Troubleshoot printer issues

- Work with complex tools like FFmpeg

- Create shell scripts to automate tasks

One particularly powerful feature is the ability to pipe command outputs directly into Lightspeed for analysis. This makes understanding complex command outputs accessible to users at any skill level.

What sets Lightspeed apart from generic chatbots is its foundation: decades of Red Hat's Linux expertise, documentation, and knowledge base. Red Hat has ambitious plans for deeper AI integration across its product range, including:

- **Insights**: AI-powered package suggestions in the image builder

- **OpenShift Web Console**: Integrated AI assistance

- Future deeper integrations across the Red Hat ecosystem

Security for Tomorrow's Threats

RHEL 10 introduces security measures designed to protect against not just today's threats, but tomorrow's as well.

Post-Quantum Cryptography

The distribution becomes the first enterprise Linux to integrate FIPS-compliant post-quantum cryptography. While quantum computers remain in experimental phases, companies like IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have established clear roadmaps for their development.

The threat is real and already unfolding. Sophisticated attackers are engaging in "harvest now, decrypt later" attacks—collecting encrypted data today with plans to decrypt it once quantum computing technology matures in the next 5-10 years. RHEL 10's post-quantum cryptographic algorithms are designed to resist attacks from both classical and quantum computers.

The Wayland Transition

RHEL 10 makes a complete shift from X11 to the Wayland display server, featuring GNOME 47—a significant upgrade from GNOME 40 in RHEL 9.6. While X11 itself is no longer available, legacy X11 applications can still run using XWayland.

The benefits of this transition include:

- **Enhanced security** baked into the Wayland protocol

- **Improved performance** and reduced latency

- **Advanced features** like HDR support and better high-DPI display compatibility

- **Smoother overall experience**

 Image Mode: A Revolutionary Deployment Model

RHEL 10 introduces Image Mode, treating the entire operating system as a container image. Built using bootc and container tools like Podman, this approach offers several advantages for server deployments:

- **Immutability**: The OS becomes virtually unbreakable

- **Consistency**: Easy standardization across entire server fleets

- **Security**: Read-only nature significantly reduces attack surface

- **Atomic updates and rollbacks**: Apply updates as complete OS images and easily revert if issues arise

This deployment model is specifically designed for edge computing and AI workloads, offering tremendous value for enterprise environments.

 Performance Enhancements

Under the hood, RHEL 10 runs Linux kernel 6.12, bringing improved scheduler and memory management optimizations along with expanded hardware support for modern CPUs.

Key performance improvements include:

- **x86-64-v3 baseline microarchitecture**: Enables AVX2, FMA, and BMI2 instruction sets for measurable performance gains

- **Multipath PCI support and local I/O for NFS**: Significantly boosts I/O throughput and reduces latency

- **Performance Co-Pilot 6.3**: Advanced system performance monitoring

 framework with improved VM integration

- **Updated core components**: glibc 2.39, systemd 256, updated toolchains, and Python 3.12

These enhancements make RHEL 10 exceptionally well-suited for compute-intensive tasks while maintaining the stability Red Hat is known for.

Support and Lifecycle

RHEL 10, released in May 2025, follows Red Hat's standard support lifecycle:

- **Full Support (2025-2030)**: Five years of comprehensive updates including security fixes, bug fixes, feature enhancements, and hardware enablement through minor releases approximately every six months

- **Maintenance Support (2030-2035)**: Critical security updates and high-priority bug fixes

- **Extended Life Support**: Available beyond the maintenance phase

Systems running RHEL 9.6 can upgrade in-place using the Leapp utility, though users should be mindful of major changes like the discontinuation of x86-64-v2 architecture support.

The Bottom Line

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 isn't just another update—it's a milestone that reshapes what we expect from an enterprise operating system. From deep AI integration to forward-looking security measures and modern infrastructure, RHEL 10 positions itself at the forefront of enterprise computing.

The integration of AI through Lightspeed is particularly noteworthy, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for Linux administration while providing powerful tools for experienced users. Combined with post-quantum cryptography, the Wayland transition, and innovative deployment models, RHEL 10 represents a bold step into the future of Linux.

Red Hat continues to prove why it remains one of the biggest names in enterprise Linux, delivering innovation while maintaining the stability and reliability that enterprises depend on.