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Before you install the Azure Managed Lustre client on a virtual machine (VM), review the support matrix to confirm your distribution, architecture, and kernel are supported. Then choose between the prebuilt kmod install method and the DKMS install method based on your environment and Secure Boot requirements.
When you're ready to install, see Install Lustre client software.
Support matrix
Each row in the following table shows a combination of a distribution, architecture, Lustre client version, and kernel series that Microsoft supports. The authoritative source is the Linux software repository for Microsoft products.
| OS | Architecture | Lustre client version | DKMS support | Supported kernel package series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 24.04 | amd64, arm64 | 2.16.1 | 2.16.1 | 6.8.0-*-azure |
| Ubuntu 22.04 | amd64 | 2.15.6, 2.15.7, 2.15.8 | 2.15.8 | 5.15.0-*-azure |
| Ubuntu 20.04 | amd64 | 2.15.6, 2.15.7, 2.15.8 | 2.15.8 | 5.4.0-*-azure |
| Ubuntu 18.04 † | amd64 | 2.15.4 | — | 4.15.0-*-azure, 5.4.0-*-azure |
| Azure Linux 3 | amd64 | 2.16.1 | 2.16.1 | >= 6.6.119.3 |
| RHEL / AlmaLinux 9.7 | amd64 | 2.15.7, 2.15.8 | 2.15.8 | 5.14.0-611.* |
| RHEL / AlmaLinux 9.6 | amd64 | 2.15.7, 2.15.8 | 2.15.8 | 5.14.0-570.* |
| RHEL / AlmaLinux 9.5 | amd64 | 2.15.6, 2.15.7 | 2.15.8 | 5.14.0-503.* |
| RHEL / AlmaLinux 9.4 | amd64 | 2.15.6, 2.15.7, 2.15.8 | 2.15.8 | 5.14.0-427.* |
| RHEL / AlmaLinux 9.3 | amd64 | 2.15.6 | 2.15.8 | 5.14.0-362.* |
| RHEL / AlmaLinux 9.2 | amd64 | 2.15.6, 2.15.7 | 2.15.8 | 5.14.0-284.* |
| RHEL / AlmaLinux 9.1 | amd64 | 2.15.6 | 2.15.8 | 5.14.0-162.* |
| RHEL / AlmaLinux 9.0 | amd64 | 2.15.6, 2.15.7 | 2.15.8 | 5.14.0-70.* |
| RHEL / AlmaLinux 8.10 | amd64 | 2.15.6, 2.15.7, 2.15.8 | 2.15.8 | 4.18.0-553.* |
| RHEL / AlmaLinux 8.9 | amd64 | 2.15.6, 2.15.7 | 2.15.8 | 4.18.0-513.* |
| RHEL / AlmaLinux 8.8 | amd64 | 2.15.6, 2.15.7 | 2.15.8 | 4.18.0-477.* |
| RHEL / AlmaLinux 8.7 | amd64 | 2.15.6, 2.15.7 | 2.15.8 | 4.18.0-425.* |
| RHEL / AlmaLinux 8.6 | amd64 | 2.15.6, 2.15.7 | 2.15.8 | 4.18.0-372.* |
| RHEL / CentOS 7.9 † | amd64 | 2.15.4 | — | 3.10.0-1160.* |
† Frozen - End of life.
Note
- arm64 support: Only Ubuntu 24.04 currently provides arm64 packages.
- Frozen distributions: Ubuntu 18.04 and RHEL 7 are frozen at Lustre 2.15.4. They reached end of life; no further Lustre client updates are published. Existing packages remain available for installation. Upgrade base OS for ongoing updates.
- Kernel update cadence: Package availability changes as new Linux kernels are released and as Lustre gains support. When a new maintenance kernel ships for an already-supported distribution kernel series, Microsoft typically publishes a matching Lustre metapackage within one business day.
- DKMS support: When a Lustre version appears in the DKMS support column, that version is also published as a DKMS package that compiles automatically on kernel upgrades. See Choose an install method for the trade-offs against prebuilt kmod packages.
Choose an install method
Azure Managed Lustre offers two install methods for the Lustre client kernel module: prebuilt kmod packages or DKMS packages that compile on the target VM.
Choose the method that best fits your environment:
| Prebuilt kmod | DKMS | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Installs a precompiled kernel module built for your specific kernel version | Compiles the kernel module from source on your VM using DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support) |
| Install speed | Fast - no compilation needed | Slower - compiles the module during install (typically 2-5 minutes) |
| Kernel upgrades | Requires a new kmod package for each kernel version. If you upgrade your kernel before a matching kmod is published, the Lustre client won't load. | Automatically rebuilds the module when your kernel is upgraded. No manual intervention needed. |
| Package selection | Requires matching your kernel version to the package name (might involve sed commands on RHEL) |
Single package name - no kernel version matching needed |
| Build dependencies | None | Requires kernel headers, GCC, and Make (installed automatically as package dependencies) |
| Secure Boot | ✅ Modules are pre-signed with the Azure Services Linux Kmod PCA certificate. Works on Trusted Launch VMs without extra configuration. | ⚠️ Modules are compiled locally and unsigned. Requires Secure Boot to be disabled or MOK (Machine Owner Key) enrollment. See Secure Boot with DKMS. |
| Best for | Production environments with controlled kernel versions, Secure Boot requirements, or HPC workloads where compile overhead isn't acceptable | Development environments, workloads where kernel versions change frequently, or scenarios where you want zero-maintenance kernel upgrades |
Tip
Not sure which to choose? Use prebuilt kmod if you're running Trusted Launch VMs with Secure Boot enabled, or if you need the fastest possible install. Use DKMS if you want your Lustre client to survive kernel upgrades automatically without waiting for a new kmod package to be published.
For Confidential VM requirements and full Secure Boot details (signing certificates, MOK enrollment for DKMS), see Use Secure Boot with Azure Managed Lustre file system.
If you plan to use DKMS on Azure Linux 3, see the kernel lockdown note in Use Secure Boot with Azure Managed Lustre file system — disabling Secure Boot alone isn't enough.