Exciting news for tech enthusiasts with the arrival of openSUSE Leap Micro 6.1, a major update bringing new features and improvements. With the launch of Leap Micro 6.1, its predecessor, Leap Micro 5.5, has reached the end of its service life. This release introduces several advancements such as a fresh opensuse-migration-tool, soft-reboot capabilities, two-factor authentication for PAM logins, and vhostmd enhanced for SAP virtualization. Additionally, downloadable images vary in size, starting from under 1 GB for preconfigured images to up to 2.3 GB for VMware.
openSUSE Leap Micro, envisioned for environments like data centers and containerization, is crafted with a minimal footprint in mind. It is built on SUSE Enterprise Micro, and was initially launched in 2022. The Leap Micro 6.1 update brings significant enhancements including support for the IBM Power platform from IBM Power9, bolstered security during new installations by disallowing password-based remote root login, and newly introduced support for soft-reboots and the memory compressor ZRAM. Active Directory compatibility is enhanced for sssd-based environments, elevating security and integration capabilities.
Some components, such as busybox, salt-master, and k3s, have been phased out in this update. Beginning with version 6.0, Leap Micro adopted a new approach by introducing self-install images, raw images, and a Packages DVD for offline repository needs, phasing out traditional installers. New users should consider employing the self-install image via a USB drive for setup, while installations can be tailored and automated utilizing tools like Ignition, Combustion, or the jeos-firstboot wizard.
For those exploring virtualization, particularly with VMware Workstation, there’s an opportunity to expand your skill set through James Bernstein’s guide “VMware Workstation Made Easy: Virtualization for Everyone.” This resource is available for Kindle users, both through Kindle Unlimited or for purchase, and also in hardcover and paperback formats.
Overall, openSUSE Leap Micro 6.1 appears to be a compelling update, promising to deliver robust, secure, and efficient solutions for modern computing needs.
