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SIG/Cloud-Next Kernel Dist-Tag Update

Release Timeframe: October-November 2025 Affected Versions: Rocky Linux 8, 9, and 10 Type: Kernel Update

Overview

As part of CIQ's ongoing consolidation of kernel development trees, the dist-tag naming convention for SIG/Cloud-Next kernels is being updated. This change reflects that SIG/Cloud-Next will now share the same kernel tree with Rocky Linux from CIQ (RLC).

What's Changing: The kernel dist-tag is transitioning from elX_ycld_next to elX_y_ciq to reflect the consolidation of CIQ's kernel source trees.

What's Not Changing: - Secure Boot signing keys remain unchanged - GPG package signing keys remain unchanged - Kernel functionality and feature set remain unchanged - Installation and update procedures remain unchanged

Affected Platforms

This update affects SIG/Cloud-Next deployments across all supported Rocky Linux major versions:

  • Rocky Linux 8 — kernel packages in SIG/Cloud-Next repositories
  • Rocky Linux 9 — kernel packages in SIG/Cloud-Next repositories
  • Rocky Linux 10 — kernel packages in SIG/Cloud-Next repositories

Google Cloud Platform Impact

Users of the following Google Compute Engine images will receive updated kernels through normal system updates:

  • Rocky Linux optimized for Google Cloud
  • Rocky Linux Accelerated with NVIDIA

No manual intervention is required. The updated kernels will be delivered automatically through the standard dnf update process during the October-November 2025 rollout period. This change will only affect future kernel releases; previously released kernels retain their original dist-tag naming.

Technical Details

Dist-Tag Naming Change

The kernel package version string format is being updated to use the new _ciq dist-tag suffix for all future kernel releases:

Previous Format: 

6.12.0-55.32.1.el10_0cld_next.2.1

New Format: 

6.12.0-55.39.1+2.1.el10_0_ciq

Note: This change applies only to new kernel releases beginning in October-November 2025. Previously released kernel packages will retain their original _cld_next dist-tag naming.

FIPS 140-3 Integration

As part of CIQ's ongoing FIPS 140-3 validation efforts for Rocky Linux from CIQ, future kernels for SIG/Cloud-Next 8 and 9 will now include FIPS 140-3 certification patches:

  • SIG/Cloud-Next 8 and 9: FIPS 140-3 patches have been integrated

  • These patches have no impact on systems that do not have FIPS mode enabled

  • SIG/Cloud-Next 10: No code changes to the kernel

  • Only the dist-tag naming convention has been updated

Important: FIPS 140-3 compliance requires remaining on a validated version of the kernel along with numerous FIPS-validated userspace packages available in Rocky Linux from CIQ (RLC). For more information regarding FIPS compliance and commercial support, contact CIQ at info@ciq.com.

Rollout Schedule

The updated kernels will be deployed to SIG/Cloud-Next repositories during October and November 2025. Updates will be delivered through the standard package update mechanism and do not require any special action from users.

Recommended Action: Continue to apply system updates regularly using dnf update as part of your standard maintenance procedures.

Additional Resources

Kernel Source Repository: The unified kernel source tree is publicly available at: https://github.com/ctrliq/kernel-src-tree

Support: For questions or concerns regarding this update, please contact CIQ support:

Summary

This kernel update consolidates SIG/Cloud-Next onto the shared Rocky Linux from CIQ kernel tree, enabling tighter integration across CIQ's product portfolio. The change applies only to future kernel releases and maintains full compatibility. Users can expect a seamless transition with no required changes to their systems or workflows.