openSUSE as a server: What the SuSE Linux successor popular in Germany offers

Over the years openSUSE, formerly known as SuSE Linux, has evolved from a simple Linux distribution into a robust platform for server infrastructures. But what exactly does this Linux variant—particularly popular in Germany—offer? The following article provides a comprehensive overview of openSUSE as a server operating system.

What distinguishes openSUSE?

openSUSE is a free and open-source Linux distribution developed and maintained by the openSUSE community and the company SUSE Software Solutions Germany GmbH. It is based on the commercial SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) and is characterised by robust performance, high stability and a broad feature set.

openSUSE is suitable for both desktops and servers and is available in two main editions: openSUSE Leap and openSUSE Tumbleweed. Leap is a regular release that focuses on stability and reliability and receives a new major release every 12 months. Tumbleweed, on the other hand, is a rolling-release distribution that provides continuous updates to all system components and is ideal for users who always want the latest software versions.

One of openSUSE's most notable features is YaST (Yet another Setup Tool), a unified configuration and installation tool that provides a graphical interface for a wide range of system settings. It allows users to easily install new software, configure hardware, set up networking and perform other system tasks.

Moreover, openSUSE has an active and engaged community that continually works on improving and updating the system, contributing to ongoing improvements in openSUSE's stability, performance and security.

What technical aspects make openSUSE servers stand out?

openSUSE is a powerful, stable and secure server operating system that, thanks to its flexibility, the comprehensive administration tool YaST and an active community, as well as broad support for open-source software, represents an attractive choice for a wide range of server environments.

• Stability and reliability

openSUSE is based on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) and benefits from its commercial support and strict quality controls. This results in a high level of stability and reliability, which are essential for deployment in server environments.

• Security

openSUSE places great emphasis on security. It provides an integrated firewall by default and enforces strict user and file permission policies. In addition, updates and patches are made available in a timely manner to address security vulnerabilities.

• YaST (Yet Another Setup Tool)

This comprehensive administration tool simplifies system management by enabling the installation and configuration of software, the setting of network parameters, system updates and other tasks via a user-friendly graphical interface or a command-line interface.

• Scalability and flexibility

openSUSE can run on a wide range of hardware platforms, from single servers to large cluster systems. It is also compatible with various file systems and provides support for virtual machines and containers, making it a flexible choice for different applications and environments.

• Support for open-source software

openSUSE offers an extensive repository with thousands of pre-packaged open-source software packages, which simplifies the setup and operation of services on an openSUSE server.

• Active community and support

The openSUSE community is very active and provides help with issues. It also regularly publishes documentation and guides that simplify the management of openSUSE servers.

In summary, openSUSE offers a combination of performance, stability, security and flexibility, making it an attractive choice for deploying a wide range of web applications.

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openSUSE Versions and Lifecycle

openSUSE has two main versions designed for different use cases:

openSUSE Leap

Leap is the regular release version of openSUSE, which emphasises stability and reliability. It is particularly suited for servers and productive work environments, where a consistent environment is required. Each Leap release is generally supported for about 18 months, after which users should upgrade to the latest version to continue receiving security updates and bug fixes. Leap follows the release cycle of SUSE Linux Enterprise, which means it benefits from its thorough quality assurance and long-term support.

openSUSE Tumbleweed

Tumbleweed is the rolling release version of openSUSE and is constantly updated with the latest versions of all its software packages. It is particularly well suited for users who always want to use the latest features and improvements, e.g. developers and technology enthusiasts. Because it is a rolling release, there is no fixed lifecycle - users receive ongoing updates as long as they keep their systems active.

Both versions offer the same core features, including the YaST configuration tool and support for a wide range of software packages, but differ in their update and support model. The choice between Leap and Tumbleweed therefore depends largely on the individual requirements and preferences of the user.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server as the commercial distribution

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) is SUSE’s commercial distribution and represents one of the central pillars of the SUSE portfolio. Unlike openSUSE, which is primarily aimed at private users and developers, SLES is specifically tailored for use in companies and organisations that require a high degree of stability, security and support.

Some of the most important features of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server are:

• Long-term support: Each release of SLES is supported for a long period – typically for at least 10 years. This gives companies the assurance that they can operate their systems over an extended period without having to worry about end-of-support and forced upgrades.

• Advanced security features: SLES includes numerous security features, including an integrated firewall, SELinux for advanced access controls, and support for security standards such as FIPS 140-2.

• High availability and clustering: SLES provides support for high-availability systems and clustering, making it a good choice for mission-critical applications where downtime cannot be tolerated.

• Commercial support: SLES users have access to professional support from SUSE, including 24/7 support for critical issues. This can be crucial for companies that rely on their IT systems and need prompt assistance when problems occur.

• Compatibility with openSUSE Leap: Since 2015, openSUSE Leap has been based on the same code as SLES. This means that companies can use openSUSE Leap as a kind of "testbed" before migrating their applications and systems to SLES.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) is therefore an excellent choice for companies that require a powerful and reliable Linux-based operating system for their servers.

SuSE Linux as predecessor

SuSE Linux, the predecessor of openSUSE, was originally developed in the early 1990s in Germany by S.u.S.E. GmbH and was one of the first commercial distributions to use the free Linux kernel. The abbreviation "SUSE" stands for "Software und System-Entwicklung" (Software and System Development).

SuSE Linux was valued for its user-friendliness and the extensive set of supported hardware and software. One of the most notable aspects of SuSE Linux was the development of the YaST (Yet Another Setup Tool) administration tool, which greatly simplified the management of the operating system.

In 2003 SuSE Linux was acquired by Novell, an American company known in the 1980s and 1990s for its network operating systems. Under Novell's leadership the openSUSE project was launched in 2005, a free and open-source community variant of SuSE Linux intended to accelerate the development of the operating system and reach a broader user base.

Today openSUSE is maintained and developed by SUSE Software Solutions Germany GmbH, a subsidiary of EQT Partners, while the original SuSE Linux continues in the form of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) and SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED), two commercial distributions focused on stability and support for enterprise applications.

Welche Schwächen besitzt openSUSE als Server Betriebssystem?

Although openSUSE has many strengths as a server operating system, there are also some aspects that could be considered potential weaknesses. These, however, depend heavily on the specific requirements and expectations of the particular deployment scenario. The following points should be considered:

• Commercial support: While openSUSE has strong community support, it does not offer the same level of professional, commercial support as its commercial counterpart, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. For organisations requiring around-the-clock support or guaranteed response times, this could be a disadvantage.

• Certifications and partnerships: Compared with some other major Linux distributions such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux or Ubuntu, openSUSE has fewer partnerships with third-party software vendors. As a result, certain commercial software products may not be officially certified for openSUSE.

• Release cycle: The release cycle of openSUSE Leap could be an issue for some organisations. With a new major release every 12 months, organisations that value long-term stability may find the release cycle too fast.

• Market share: While openSUSE has many fans in Germany, its market share in the international server market is noticeably smaller compared with other Linux distributions. This can affect the availability of professionals who are familiar with openSUSE.

• Complexity: openSUSE has many powerful features and configuration options that can entail a certain learning curve, particularly for international administrators who are exclusively familiar with other Linux distributions.

These points need not necessarily be "weaknesses", but can rather be seen as challenges or considerations to bear in mind when selecting openSUSE as a server operating system.

openSUSE compared with other server operating systems

When choosing the appropriate server operating system, attention should be paid to the differences and individual characteristics of the available alternatives:

openSUSE vs Debian

openSUSE and Debian are two powerful Linux distributions that differ in their design philosophies and intended use cases. While openSUSE stands out for its close ties to SUSE Linux Enterprise, the powerful administration tool YaST and its hybrid release model (regular and rolling releases), Debian is characterised by its vast package availability, stability and strict adherence to the free software philosophy. The choice between the two therefore depends heavily on the specific requirements and preferences of the user, whether that be stability, software freedom, enterprise support or system administration.

openSUSE vs Ubuntu

openSUSE and Ubuntu are two popular Linux distributions that place emphasis on different areas. openSUSE scores with its flexibility and the choice between a stable (Leap) or a rolling (Tumbleweed) release, as well as the powerful configuration tool YaST. Ubuntu, on the other hand, is noted for its user-friendly interface, wide popularity and strong backing from Canonical, making it a frequently preferred choice for Linux newcomers and cloud infrastructures.

openSUSE vs Windows Server

openSUSE and Windows Server are two fundamentally different operating systems with distinct strengths and target audiences. openSUSE, with its open-source model, the flexible choice between stable or rolling releases and the comprehensive configuration tool YaST, offers high customisability and extensive community support. In contrast, Windows Server provides tight integration with other Microsoft products and services, comprehensive commercial support and is often the preferred choice in enterprise environments that rely heavily on Windows-based applications and infrastructures.

Overall, the choice of the appropriate server operating system depends heavily on the specific requirements and context. However, openSUSE stands out for its high stability, extensive feature set and broad support from an active community.

More information on the differences between individual Linux distributions can be found in the article: Best Linux for servers: Which distributions are suitable?

When should an openSUSE server be preferred?

openSUSE has a strong community of developers and enthusiasts who work on open-source projects and in development environments. In addition, the rolling release model of Tumbleweed is ideal for users who always require the latest software versions.

Since openSUSE Leap and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) share the same code, openSUSE can serve as a testing environment for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES). This allows organisations to test new software and updates before deploying them in production.

openSUSE offers a wide range of educational and scientific software packages, and its community is known for being open and helpful. This can make it an attractive choice for schools and universities.

openSUSE's YaST is one of the most comprehensive graphical system administration tools among Linux distributions. It enables easy configuration and management of software, services and hardware, and is therefore ideal for users who require a robust GUI management tool.

Our article is based on our own experience and research as well as information from external sources.

Sources & further links on the topic:

https://www.opensuse.org/ (Official website of openSUSE)