Oracle Linux maintains full user space compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), which is independent of the kernel version that's running underneath the OS. Note that existing applications in user space continue to run unmodified with UEK 8; no recertifications are required for RHEL certified applications.

To minimize any impact on interoperability during releases, the Oracle Linux team works with third-party vendors that have hardware and software with dependencies on kernel modules. The kernel ABI for UEK 8 remains unchanged in all subsequent updates to the initial release. Customers migrating from UEK R7 must be aware that kernel ABIs have changed in UEK 8. If an application is using kernel modules, users must verify the support status with the application vendor.