TuxCare Blog

Top Enterprise Linux Distributions: Future-Proof Your Infrastructure

by Rohan Timalsina

December 3, 2024 - TuxCare expert team

Enterprise Linux distributions are tailored versions of Linux designed for use in business environments.
Many enterprises rely on multiple Linux distributions, creating a need for flexible, multi-distro tools.
TuxCare’s Endless Lifecycle Support (ELS) allows organizations to securely maintain EOL distributions, like CentOS 7 and Ubuntu 18.04.

The rapid adoption of open-source technologies has transformed the enterprise landscape, with Linux distributions playing a pivotal role. The Enterprise Linux & Open-Source Landscape Report 2024 by TuxCare reveals that a large share of organizations today rely on open-source software, with 98.5% of surveyed enterprises using it in their infrastructure stack. Many of these organizations adopt Linux distributions due to their security, flexibility, and stability.

In today’s enterprise landscape, Linux has become the cornerstone of many successful organizations. As the demand for enterprise-grade solutions grows, organizations need reliable, secure, and cost-effective Linux distributions that meet their unique operational needs.

Below, we explore the most popular enterprise Linux distributions, their advantages, and the recent shifts in the Linux ecosystem that are shaping enterprise decisions in 2024.

What Are Enterprise Linux Distributions?

Enterprise Linux distributions are specialized versions of Linux designed for business environments. They prioritize stability, security, and long-term support (LTS) over cutting-edge features. Enterprise Linux offers a comprehensive ecosystem of support services, including regular security updates and dedicated technical support. These features are essential for organizations that rely on Linux for mission-critical applications.

Enterprise Linux strikes a balance between innovation and stability. While they may not always be the first to adopt the latest software versions, they prioritize a smooth and reliable user experience. By providing a reliable, secure, and scalable foundation, enterprise Linux distributions empower organizations to meet their critical business needs.

Popular Enterprise Linux Distributions

RHEL

RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) has long been the industry standard for enterprise Linux distributions. Its reputation for stability, security, and performance has solidified its position as a top choice for businesses of all sizes as well as government agencies and partners. It provides comprehensive security features, certified hardware compatibility, and long-term support options that are attractive to businesses with mission-critical workloads.

CentOS

CentOS is a popular free and open-source alternative to RHEL. However, the end-of-life of CentOS Linux has presented challenges for many organizations relying on these distributions. The Enterprise Linux & Open-Source Landscape Report 2024 indicates that many organizations still rely on outdated CentOS versions and are hesitant to migrate to a new distribution, with only a small percentage planning to do so. Among those who are migrating, AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are top choices as suitable replacements due to their binary compatibility with RHEL and their community-driven approach.

For those still running end-of-life CentOS 6, CentOS 7, and CentOS 8, TuxCare’s Endless Lifecycle Support (ELS) provides ongoing vulnerability patches for as long as you need. This extended support allows organizations to maintain a secure and compliant environment, without the need for a rushed migration. TuxCare also supports other end-of-life Linux distributions, including CentOS Stream 8, Oracle Linux 6, Oracle Linux 7, Ubuntu 16.04, and Ubuntu 18.04.

AlmaLinux

AlmaLinux was launched as a community-driven alternative to CentOS after Red Hat’s CentOS Stream transition. O’riginally aimed at providing 1:1 compatibility with RHEL, AlmaLinux has quickly become popular among enterprises seeking a stable, reliable, and community-supported RHEL alternative.

In June 2023, however, Red Hat announced that CentOS Stream would be the sole repository for public RHEL-related source code. The AlmaLinux Foundation decided to shift its focus from 1:1 binary compatibility to application binary compatibility. This means that AlmaLinux will prioritize ensuring that applications built for RHEL can run seamlessly on AlmaLinux.

For organizations using AlmaLinux, TuxCare’s Enterprise Support for AlmaLinux offers dedicated commercial support, including break/fix support, automated live patching, extended security updates, and continuous FIPS compliance.

Rocky Linux

Rocky Linux is another free and open-source RHEL-compatible distribution that provides enterprise-grade stability. Unlike AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux still maintains 1:1 compatibility with RHEL by obtaining source code from multiple sources, including CentOS Stream, pristine upstream packages, and RHEL SRPMS. Its widespread adoption and active community make it a versatile and adaptable choice for organizations of all sizes.

Ubuntu

Although commonly seen as a developer-friendly distribution, Ubuntu LTS versions are widely used in enterprises for production environments. It offers a user-friendly experience, a vast software repository, and strong community support. Ubuntu’s regular release cycle ensures access to the latest features and security updates.

Canonical’s focus on cloud and container support has made Ubuntu popular among modern, scalable enterprises. Ubuntu LTS (Long-Term Support) versions receive five years of support, with an additional five years under an Expanded Security Maintenance (ESM) plan for organizations needing extended support.

Oracle Linux

Oracle Linux is another popular enterprise Linux distribution, often compared to RHEL due to its close relationship with the underlying codebase. It offers a stable, secure, and high-performance platform for various workloads. Oracle Linux supports two kernels – the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK), optimized for Oracle’s hardware and cloud ecosystem, and a Red Hat-compatible kernel.

Amazon Linux

Amazon Linux is optimized for Amazon Web Services (AWS), making it the go-to choice for enterprises heavily invested in AWS infrastructure. While Amazon Linux is tailored to cloud-native applications, its secure, stable platform also supports broader workloads. Amazon’s managed support ensures that the OS is continuously updated and optimized for AWS, providing a seamless user experience for cloud-based applications.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) is a robust and adaptable enterprise distribution renowned for its strong performance and security. With flexible deployment options across cloud and on-premises environments, SLES is widely recognized for its comprehensive security and support features.

Final Thoughts

Enterprise Linux distributions continue to evolve, offering organizations a range of high-performance, secure, and scalable solutions. Selecting the right enterprise Linux distribution is a critical decision that can significantly impact an organization’s IT infrastructure. Factors such as stability, security, performance, and cost must be carefully considered. As the Linux landscape continues to evolve, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest trends and choose a distribution that aligns with your long-term goals.

Cybersecurity remains a top priority for enterprise Linux users. For organizations seeking to keep their Linux systems protected without downtime, KernelCare Enterprise offers an automated live patching solution that deploys critical kernel updates without the need for costly reboots. KernelCare supports all major enterprise Linux distros, including RHEL, CentOS, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, Ubuntu, Debian, Amazon Linux, Oracle Linux, and more. By automatically applying patches without requiring reboots, KernelCare keeps systems protected against vulnerabilities while maintaining continuous uptime.

Additionally, LibCare, an add-on to KernelCare Enterprise, automates vulnerability patching for shared libraries, like OpenSSL and glibc, eliminating the need for service restarts or scheduled maintenance windows when patching them..

Explore More:

CentOS vs Ubuntu: Enterprise Linux Comparison

Future of CentOS Stream 9: The Road Ahead

How to Upgrade from Centos 7 to AlmaLinux 9

How to Master CentOS Commands: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet

Building a Secure Linux Environment for Enterprise Applications

Bad Reasons to Update Your Linux Kernel

Binary Compatibility for Linux Distributions

Linux Evolution: A Comprehensive Timeline

Summary