FreeBSD 15 now available, revamps package management and drops 32-bit hardware
FreeBSD, the open source operating system, has just released a major new update. FreeBSD 15 includes overhauled package management, new versions of utilities like OpenZFS and OpenSSL, and the end of support for most 32-bit hardware.
If you’re not familiar with it, FreeBSD is a Unix-like operating system with a kernel, device drivers, user utilities, and documentation all managed in the same project. Many utilities, applications, and desktop environments from the Linux ecosystem are also available for FreeBSD, and other Linux software can run unmodified with Linuxulator. It’s still not the best option for desktop computing, but it’s a popular choice for servers and embedded hardware.
FreeBSD 15.0 can now use the pkg package manager to install and manage the base system. When installing FreeBSD 15.0, the bsdinstall utility prompts you to choose between two installation methods. The first method, called Distribution Sets, is the traditional approach used in previous versions of FreeBSD. Systems installed this way will continue to receive updates via the freebsd-update utility. Although support for distribution bundles is scheduled to be removed in FreeBSD 16, it will remain available as long as FreeBSD 15 is supported.
The second method, Packages/pkgbase, offers a new approach by installing the base system as a collection of packages from the FreeBSD base repository. Systems configured using this method are fully managed through the pkg tool. This approach is now the default for all virtual machine images and those published to public cloud environments. In FreeBSD 15.0, pkgbase is considered a technology preview, but it is expected to become the standard way to handle base system installations and upgrades in future releases.
BSD: what is it and how is it different from Linux?
Looking at lesser-known operating systems, you’ve probably come across something called BSD or FreeBSD. Linux and BSD are both open source Unix-like operating systems, but they are different. Here’s what you need to know.
FreeBSD 15 also now offers a native implementation of inotify, which simplifies directory monitoring and makes software porting easier. OpenZFS has been upgraded to version 2.4.0-rc4 and OpenSSL is now at the latest long-term support version, 3.5.4. This includes support for QUIC and introduces standardized quantum-resistant algorithms such as ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and SLH-DSA. OpenSSH has been updated to version 10.0p2, which offers quantum-resistant key agreement enabled by default.
FreeBSD 15 also drops support for most 32-bit hardware platforms, just like Debian, Fedora, Windows 11, and other operating systems have done in recent history. The developers said in June: “While there have been some requests to retain full support for these platforms, we have not seen an increase in developer interest or willingness to support these platforms.” FreeBSD 15 is not available for ARMv6, 32-bit x86 (i386), and 32-bit PowerPC hardware, leaving only ARMv7, which remains at level 2 of hardware support.
You can download FreeBSD 15 now from the project’s official website, either as a bootable ISO installer, as an SD card image for ARM-based systems, or as premade virtual machine images. There will also be physical DVD installation discs available for purchase through FreeBSD Mall, so you can party like it’s 2004.
Source: FreeBSD
