OpenBSD 8.0 Released With Intel Arc Graphics, ARM64 Hibernation and Major System Improvements

OpenBSD 8.0 is now available, marking the project’s 61st release and continuing its semiannual release schedule, which began in 1996. More than 30 years after its launch, OpenBSD remains one of the most security-focused operating systems in active development.

In the project’s release announcement, the OpenBSD team highlighted its long-standing security record, stating that it is “proud to have had only two remote holes in the default installation of OpenBSD for over 30 years.”

What’s new in OpenBSD 8.0?

OpenBSD 8.0 introduces improvements across hardware support, virtualization, networking, security and platform compatibility. The release adds support for modern Intel Arc graphics cards, expands kernel virtual address space on AMD64 and improves support for several processor architectures.

• Intel Arc graphics support: Added support for Intel Arc A-series, or DG2/Alchemist, graphics cards.
• Larger AMD64 virtual address space: The kernel now supports 512GB of virtual address space, allowing VRAM mappings beyond 4GB.
• ARM64 hibernation: Added hibernation support for ARM64 systems.
• RPKI routing support: Added the new RPKI-to-Router daemon, rtrd(8).
• RISC-V improvements: Added kernel support for “V” vector extensions and advanced interrupt architectures.
• Wireless networking: Added and improved wireless drivers, including support for 802.11n and 40 MHz channels through the qwx(4) wireless driver.
• Virtual machines: Guests can now use up to 64 virtual CPUs.
• Updated security components: OpenBSD 8.0 includes LibreSSL 4.4.0 and OpenSSH 10.6.
• Virtualization improvements: The vmm/vmd virtualization stack has received further improvements.

OpenBSD 8.0 drops Loongson support

The release also discontinues support for the Loongson architecture. The project also notes a compiler-related change involving Clang 22.

For the complete list of changes and additional technical details, read the OpenBSD 8.0 release announcement.