Preparing for Takeoff: NetBSD 11 heading towards release, boasting 57 supported platforms
NetBSD, the free, open-source, and highly portable operating system, is gearing up for its next major release, NetBSD 11.0. The upcoming version promises to deliver significant improvements in hardware support, virtualization capabilities, and system reliability.
In recent years, Linux has challenged NetBSD's slogan, "Of course it runs NetBSD," but this trend is set to change as the balance begins to swing back in NetBSD's favour. The upcoming release will feature expanded hardware support, catering to 57 platforms, including eight Tier 1 ports (x86-32, x86-64, ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, SPARC, Xen hypervisor variants, and DEC Alpha and Itanium among others).
One of the key features of NetBSD 11.0 is the refined installation media, which will split into two types: small core images without debug and compatibility code for minimal or embedded installs, and full images with comprehensive tools for versatile hardware compatibility and troubleshooting.
The new release also brings improvements to virtualization capabilities. NetBSD 11 VMs can now run efficiently on platforms like Amazon Firecracker and QEMU, benefiting cloud and automation workflows. Enhanced support for running as a guest on traditional Xen hypervisors and broadening compatibility with the paravirtualized hardware (PVH) mode are also part of these improvements.
NetBSD 11.0 will also feature limited support for the ZFS filesystem, bringing advanced storage features such as snapshots and self-healing. However, a full production-ready Logical Volume Manager (LVM) or OpenBSD-style partitioning system is not included.
System reliability enhancements are another highlight of NetBSD 11.0. Improved system heartbeat and watchdog tools will automatically detect and recover from system issues when configured.
Other updates include third-party software integration improvements such as modifications to OpenSSH for better security defaults and support for PAM and Kerberos, increasing compatibility and functionality for network services.
NetBSD continues to distinguish itself from other operating systems by supporting a wide range of platforms, referred to as ports, while remaining simpler than both Linux and OpenBSD. It also remains free from systemd, Wayland, Snap, Flatpak, OStree, and other controversial parts of modern Linux.
The NetBSD 11.0 release process is underway, with the release expected less than a year and a half after the release of NetBSD 10. The planned release of Debian 13, which will drop its x86-32 edition, is imminent, and FreeBSD 15, which is not expected to offer an x86-32 edition either, is due later in the year.
As NetBSD 11.0 approaches, it is clear that the focus is on expanded hardware reach, modern virtualization support, storage innovations, and enhanced system reliability and usability. These improvements reflect a commitment to making NetBSD a versatile and reliable choice for a wide range of users and use cases.
[1] NetBSD Foundation - NetBSD 11.0 Release Announcement
[2] NetBSD Wiki - NetBSD 11.0
[3] NetBSD Wiki - NetBSD 11.0 Changes
- NetBSD 11.0, the upcoming release of the free and open-source operating system, is set to enhance its hardware support, catering to 57 platforms, including various Tier 1 ports like x86-64, ARM, and PowerPC, as well as cloud-computing platforms such as Amazon Firecracker and QEMU.
- In addition to hardware improvements, NetBSD 11.0 will introduce limited support for the ZFS filesystem, offering advanced storage features like snapshots and self-healing, and improved system heartbeat and watchdog tools for increased system reliability.
- The new release will also focus on technology advancements, including modern virtualization support, AI-enabled enhancements in data-and-cloud-computing workflows, and third-party software integration improvements for better security and network functionality.
