One of the rare Linux distributions that doesn’t utilize the GNU Core Utilities, Alpine Linux has been in existence for nearly twenty years. This lightweight distribution is primarily designed for Docker containers, but it can also be adjusted for use on desktops. With a minimal disk footprint of less than 150 MB, and just 8 MB needed for a container, it's a perfect pick for routers, firewalls, servers, VPNs, and similar applications. After almost two decades, Alpine Linux is now adding support for the LoongArch64 architecture with the initial release in the 3.21 stable series, identified as version 3.21.0.
New Features
Along with its support for the newly mentioned hardware architecture, Alpine Linux 3.21.0 brings several key highlights.
For a complete list of changes, users can visit the Alpine Linux wiki. Those who prefer a more technical dive can also look at the git log and the bug tracker. The downloads section provides an extensive array of options, including builds like Standard, Extended, Netboot, Raspberry Pi, Generic ARM, and more.
