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6 ways to use Fedora 44 beyond the basics – and why it’s ready for anything


Fedora 44

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

ZDNET key takeaways

  • Fedora 44 is out, and it’s proving to be a big hit.
  • This latest version has plenty to offer for different uses.
  • Here are six different use cases suited for this release.

I recently gave Fedora 44 a solid test period and came back thinking it was the best release yet. It’s fast, stable, polished, and ready for just about anything. No, seriously … anything. 

Also: Ubuntu 26.04 vs. Fedora 44: After years of testing both Linux distros, here’s my verdict

OK, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but after using it for some time, I realized that this latest release from the Fedora developers is much more than you might think it is. Let me show you what I mean by highlighting what I believe are some of the best use cases for this latest release of the open-source operating system.

1. The obvious: Desktop

Fedora is marketed as a desktop operating system, and there are many reasons for this. 

First, it’s easy to use. Although users might initially be taken aback by the GNOME UI, the learning curve is very shallow. And if GNOME isn’t your thing, you can opt for one of the many spins, such as Fedora KDE. Fedora is also incredibly fast. Although it might not be as fast as CachyOS, it’s certainly faster than the likes of Ubuntu 26.04.

Also: Fedora Kinoite vs. Silverblue: My verdict after testing both immutable Linux distros

But one thing that’s important to know on this front is that Fedora 44 isn’t just well-suited for personal desktop usage. Fedora 44 would also make a great OS for your business. One thing to keep in mind is that Red Hat Enterprise Linux is based on Fedora 44, so if it’s good enough for enterprise computing, you can bet that it’s suitable for your business.

And with the new NTSYNC kernel module, gaming is vastly improved, so there’s that.

2. The next obvious: Development

Here’s another mostly obvious use case. 

For anyone looking to develop, Fedora 44 is a great choice. Fedora 44 supports a wide range of platforms, including Linux, MacOS, and Windows, for development. You can employ Wine or Bottles to simplify developing for Windows. And because WSL, or Windows Subsystem for Linux, continues to grow in popularity, you can bet the need for apps to run within Windows will continue.

Also: Want to save your aging computer? Try these 5 Linux distributions

On top of that, you get an upgraded toolchain that includes PHP 8.5, LLVM 22, CMake 4.0, Golang 1.26, Ansible 13 (Core 2.20), Ruby 4.0 (up from Ruby 3.4 in Fedora 43), MariaDB 11.8, GCC 16.1, glibc 2.43, binutils 2.46, and GDB 16.3.

And then, of course, there’s the Fedora Developer portal, which gives you access to a knowledge base that includes how to start a project, how to find the tools you need, information on databases, and documents on how to deploy and distribute.

3. The not quite so obvious: Security

Yes, several vulnerabilities, such as Copy Fail and Dirty Frag, have popped up within the world of Linux, but that doesn’t detract from the security offered by Fedora 44.

The latest release introduces several security improvements, such as restrictions on ptrace, which allows one process to control and inspect another process; kernel symbol access, which is the ability of kernel modules to use functions and variables defined in the kernel; and enhanced security for the Berkeley Packet Filter, which allows the capture and filtering of network packets at the operating system level.

Fedora 44 ships with kernel 6.19.10, which adds features like PCIe Link Encryption, which protects data in transit between devices, and the Live Update Orchestrator, which allows for kernel updates with minimal downtime for virtual machines.

Also: Red Hat Desktop vs. Fedora Hummingbird: Which AI development Linux path is right for you?

If you or your organization needs a secure desktop OS, Fedora 44 is certainly worth considering.

4. The not obvious: IT infrastructure

If your organization, or your home lab, needs to work with containerization, such as Docker or Podman, or container orchestration, such as Kubernetes, Fedora 44 is a strong choice. With the help of ordinary container files and OCI container build tools, Fedora 44 provides you with the tools and methods for building image-based systems.

Also: This is my favorite Linux distro of all time – and I’ve tried them all

Fedora 44 also gets you access to Helm 4, which is the latest major version of the Kubernetes package manager. This new release delivers significant improvements in scalability, security, and developer workflow.

5. The not-obvious part II: Systems administration

Fedora 44 includes tools like Ansible, Puppet, and SaltStack, all of which are dedicated to simplifying infrastructure management. With these applications, you get powerful configuration management tools that are used to automate the deployment and management of software and systems in IT environments.

Also: Fedora vs. Ubuntu: How to choose your next Linux distro (and which one I use)

Although these tools aren’t installed by default, you can add them via the default Fedora repositories and install them via the default package manager, DNF.

6. The long shot: Education and research

Fedora Linux is often used for academic research. 

There’s even the Fedora Scientific Lab spin, which includes packages like the GNU Scientific Library, the SciPy libraries, Octave, and xfig; typesetting and publishing tools like Kile; graphics programs such as Inkscape; IDEs; tools and libraries for programming in C, C++, Python, Java, and R; and libraries for parallel computing such as OpenMPI and OpenMP.

Also: Fedora vs. Arch Linux: How to choose your next Linux distro (and which one I use)

With more and more educational institutions using open-source tools, Fedora is a great option, thanks to its speed, flexibility, and security. And with the help of the new Parental Controls found in Fedora 44, it’s much easier to track screen time.





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Your single router is why Wi-Fi dies in your bedroom—why a mesh network is the only real fix


The first time I encountered mesh Wi-Fi was when I went to university. One Wi-Fi password, but no matter where you roamed on campus you’ll stay connected. I’ve always thought of mesh networks as enterprise technology that you need an IT department to handle, but then router makers figured out how to make mesh easy enough for mere mortals.

Now I consider a mesh network the default for everyone, and if you’re still using a single non-mesh router you might want to know why. So let me explain.



















Quiz
8 Questions · Test Your Knowledge

Home Networking & Wi-Fi

Think you know your routers from your repeaters — put your home networking know-how to the ultimate test.

Wi-FiRoutersSecurityHardwareProtocols

What does the ‘5 GHz’ band in Wi-Fi offer compared to the ‘2.4 GHz’ band?

That’s right! The 5 GHz band delivers faster data rates but loses signal strength more quickly over distance and through walls. It’s ideal for devices close to the router that need maximum throughput, like streaming 4K video.

Not quite — the 5 GHz band actually offers faster speeds at the cost of range. The 2.4 GHz band travels farther and penetrates obstacles better, which is why smart home devices and older gadgets often prefer it.

Which Wi-Fi standard, introduced in 2021, is also known as Wi-Fi 6E and extends into a new frequency band?

Correct! 802.11ax is the technical name for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E. The ‘E’ variant extends the standard into the 6 GHz band, offering a massive swath of new, less-congested spectrum for faster and more reliable connections.

The answer is 802.11ax — that’s Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E. Wi-Fi 6E adds support for the 6 GHz band, giving it far less congestion than the crowded 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. 802.11be is actually the upcoming Wi-Fi 7 standard.

What is the default IP address most commonly used to access a home router’s admin interface?

Spot on! The vast majority of consumer routers use either 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 as the default gateway address. Typing either into your browser’s address bar will bring up the router’s login page — just make sure you’ve changed the default password!

The correct answer is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. These are the most common default gateway addresses for home routers. The 255.x.x.x addresses are subnet masks, and 127.0.0.1 is your own machine’s loopback address, not a router.

Which Wi-Fi security protocol is considered most secure for home networks as of 2024?

Excellent! WPA3 is the latest and most robust Wi-Fi security protocol, introduced in 2018. It uses Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) to replace the older Pre-Shared Key handshake, making it far more resistant to brute-force attacks.

The answer is WPA3. WEP is completely broken and should never be used, WPA is outdated, and WPA2 with TKIP has known vulnerabilities. WPA3 offers the strongest protection, and if your router supports it, you should enable it right away.

What is the primary difference between a mesh Wi-Fi system and a traditional Wi-Fi range extender?

Exactly right! Mesh systems use multiple nodes that talk to each other intelligently, handing off your device seamlessly as you move around your home under one SSID. Traditional range extenders typically broadcast a separate network and can cut bandwidth in half as they relay the signal.

The correct answer is that mesh nodes form one intelligent, seamless network. Range extenders are actually the ones that often create separate SSIDs (like ‘MyNetwork_EXT’) and can significantly reduce speeds. Mesh systems are far superior for large homes with many devices.

What does DHCP stand for, and what is its main function on a home network?

Perfect! DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is the unsung hero of home networking. Every time a device joins your network, your router’s DHCP server automatically hands it a unique IP address, subnet mask, and gateway info so it can communicate without manual configuration.

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, and its job is to automatically assign IP addresses to devices on your network. Without it, you’d have to manually configure a unique IP address on every single phone, laptop, and smart device — a tedious nightmare!

What is ‘QoS’ (Quality of Service) used for in a home router?

That’s correct! QoS lets you tell your router which traffic gets priority. For example, you can prioritize video calls or gaming over a family member’s file download, ensuring your Zoom meeting doesn’t freeze just because someone is downloading a large update.

QoS — Quality of Service — is actually about traffic prioritization. By tagging certain data types (like VoIP calls or gaming packets) as high priority, your router ensures latency-sensitive applications get bandwidth first, even when the network is congested.

What does the ‘WAN’ port on a home router connect to?

Correct! WAN stands for Wide Area Network, and the WAN port is where your router connects to the outside world — typically to your cable modem, DSL modem, or ISP gateway. The LAN ports on the other side connect to devices inside your home network.

The WAN (Wide Area Network) port connects your router to your ISP’s modem or gateway — essentially your entry point to the internet. The LAN (Local Area Network) ports are for connecting devices inside your home. Mixing them up can cause your network to not function at all!

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Mesh Wi-Fi solves a problem most homes already have

The internet is no longer confined to one spot in your home

In the early days of home internet, there was no real reason to have Wi-Fi coverage all over your home. You installed the router in your home office, or near the living room, and that was enough. People didn’t have smartphones, tablets, or smart home devices that all needed access to the LAN.

As Wi-Fi devices proliferated, that central router became a problem. There’s only so much power you can push into the antennas, and the inverse square law drains that signal of power in very short order.

It was a problem that had many suboptimal solutions. Wi-Fi repeaters destroy performance, access points need long Ethernet runs, and Powerline Ethernet only works well in ideal conditions. Most older homes can’t provide that with their aging wiring. In short, trying to expand a central router’s reach has usually involved some janky mishmash of solutions.

A modern mesh router kit just solved that problem without any fuss. The biggest problem you’ll have is how to position them. Everything else is usually just handled automatically.

Brand

eero

Range

1,500 sq. ft.

Mesh Network Compatible

Yes

The eero 6 mesh Wi-Fi router allows you to upgrade your home network without breaking the bank. Compatible with the wider eero ecosystem, you’ll find that this node can either start or expand your wireless network with ease.


Mesh systems prioritize consistency over peak speed

Good enough internet everywhere

Top view of the contents of the Netgear Nighthawk MK93S mesh system. Credit: Jordan Gloor / How-To Geek

I think it’s important to point out that with Wi-Fi it’s much more important to get consistent and reliable performance wherever you are in your home than to hit crazy peak speeds. Sure, if you buy an expensive router, you can blast data when you’ve got line of sight and are a few feet away, but then you might as well just connect to it with an Ethernet cable.

For the price of one very fast centralized router, you can buy an entry-level mesh router kit and have fast enough internet everywhere, and never have to think about it again. I’m still running a Wi-Fi 5 mesh system in my two-storey rental home and I get 200+ Mbps minimum anywhere. If I need more speed than that on a single device, it’s going on Ethernet.

As prices come down on Wi-Fi 6 and 7 mesh systems, we’ll all eventually get access to that gigabit or better wireless tier, but I’d rather have a few hundred Mbps everywhere rather than a few Gbps in just one place and zero internet elsewhere.

Setup and management are finally user-friendly

Your dog could do it if it had thumbs

TP-Link Deco Mesh Wi-Fi Puck sitting on a desk beside two stacked books Credit: TP-Link

It’s hard to overstate just how easy modern mesh routers are to set up. After you’ve got the first unit up, usually by using a mobile app, adding more is generally just a matter of turning them on close to any previously activated router and waiting a few seconds.

As for the actual management of the network, on my TP-Link system you can see the topology of your network, how the pods are doing in terms of bandwidth, and you can automatically optimize for network interference and signal strength. The days of cryptic and largely manual router configuration are over. Even port forwarding, which has always tripped me up on old routers, now just works with a few taps on my phone screen.

The price argument doesn’t hold up anymore

There’s something for every budget

The biggest reason I think people have avoided mesh systems is cost. That’s perfectly fair, because mesh systems are more expensive than a single router. The thing is, prices have come down significantly, especially for mesh on older Wi-Fi standards.

But, even if you want newer Wi-Fi like 6E or 7, you don’t have to start your mesh journey with a full kit. You can buy a single mesh router, use that as your primary, and then add more as you can afford it. Even better, if you’ve bought a new router recently, there’s a chance it already supports mesh technology. It doesn’t even have to be that recent, since some older routers have gained mesh capability thanks to firmware updates.

If you already have a router that’s mesh-capable, then extending your home network any other way would be silly. Also, keep in mind that all the routers in your mesh network don’t have to be identical. That’s a common misconception, but the only thing they need to have in common is support for the same mesh technology. Just keep in mind that your performance will only be as good as the slowest device in the chain.

Mesh is for everyone

The bottom line is that mesh network technology is now cheap enough, mature enough, and easy enough that I honestly think everyone should have a good reason not to use it rather than looking for reason to use it. Wi-Fi should be like water or electricity. You want everyone in your home to have easy access to it no matter where they are. Mesh will do that for you.

The Unifi Dream Router 7.

9/10

Brand

Unifi

Range

1,750 square feet

The Unifi Dream Router 7 is a full-fledged network appliance offering NVR capabilities, fully managed switching,a built-in firewall, VLANs, and more. With four 2.5G Ethernet ports (one with PoE+) and a 10G SFP+ port, the Unifi Dream Router 7 also features dual WAN capabilities should you have two ISP connections. It includes a 64GB microSD card for IP camera storage, but can be upgraded for more storage if needed. With Wi-Fi 7, you’ll be able to reach up to a theoretical 5.7 Gbps network speed when using the 10G SFP+ port, or 2.5 Gbps when using Ethernet. 




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