What should you consider when choosing which Linux distribution to install on your server? Stability, information security, and support are some of the important parameters to consider when choosing a distro. The right distribution is very important in terms of system performance and server management options. To make the right choice, it is recommended to consult a professional Linux system administrator. In the meantime, let's take a look at four popular Linux distributions and what characterizes each of them.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
The RHEL operating system is a well-known distro in the commercial Linux field, known for its stable performance and excellent support. RHEL offers long-term support cycles and stability—critical parameters for enterprise servers. The system is based on Fedora, so it also benefits from innovations coming from the community, which are tested and improved before being added for commercial use.The system boasts the most advanced security features, including SELinux, which provides strict access control. It is an ideal distribution for financial services, government services, and any environment that requires the highest level of stability and security. RHEL supports cloud environments, virtual servers, and computing clusters for powerful performance.
Debian
Debian is one of the oldest and most respected Linux distributions. It is known for its stability, software repositories, and high-quality package management using APT. It is the foundation for many other distributions, including Ubuntu, and relies entirely on community development, ensuring transparency and reliability. Its greatest advantage is its stability and guaranteed longevity. Each version undergoes rigorous testing before release, making it ideal for environments that require high availability. It has more than 50,000 packages available, offering a range of software that is hard to compete with and allowing flexibility for different server roles. Its information security is considered very high quality, and it receives frequent updates.
Debian is suitable for various types of servers, including web servers, file servers, and database servers. It is excellent for businesses that need a stable and flexible server environment and is suitable for educational institutions, research institutes, and businesses that prioritize working with open source.
Ubuntu Server
Ubuntu Server is a free, open-source Linux distribution based on Debian. It is known for its ease of use, frequent updates, and strong community that provides support and code testing. Ubuntu Server comes with a large package repository and package management via APT.
Its great advantage is its simplicity and efficient installation, especially in a cloud environment. It supports a wide range of hardware as well as virtual platforms such as Docker or Kubernetes, making it versatile and excellent for software deployment.
It is a classic distribution for network servers, cloud infrastructure, and software deployment using microservices. Frequent updates make it ideal for companies that need to stay at the forefront of technology. Ubuntu Server is used by many startups and technology companies that need agile and efficient deployment.
AlmaLinux
AlmaLinux is "free forever" — it is an open-source Linux system, free to use, which came as a replacement for CentOS. It is compatible with RHEL and offers stability and long-term support for enterprise environments. AlmaLinux is developed and supported by a community and backed by a non-profit organization, so it remains independent and reliable.
Its biggest advantage is, of course, that it is free, along with its stability and excellent compatibility with RHEL. The system receives regular updates and is excellent for production environments. It is a good system for organizations that previously worked with CentOS, and is suitable for web hosting providers, educational institutions, and research institutes.
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
The SLES distribution was developed for enterprise applications in physical or virtual server environments. It offers a stable and secure platform with features designed to provide high availability, expandability, and good performance. The system is known for its management tools, such as YaST (Yet Another Setup Tool), which simplify server management. SLES also offers excellent support for companies and businesses, and has partnerships with major hardware vendors, ensuring smoother performance.
The SUSE Linux Enterprise Server distro is ideal for enterprise applications and data centers that require high availability. Managers of complex IT infrastructures also prefer it, especially when precise management and customization are required.