Linux distributions for servers. Some options

Although it was never the year of Linux on the desktop, in other sectors of the market, it is either the main player or it competes hand-in-hand with proprietary alternatives. For example, all of the 500 most powerful supercomputers use it as an operating system. And, if we talk about servers, the publicly available statistics seem to indicate a parity with Windows.

What are server operating systems

A server operating system, is an operating system specifically designed to run on servers (Today I am a compendium of the obvious). Is about a software layer on top of which other software programs, or applications, can run on the server hardware. In other words, it works similar to a desktop operating system, mobile device operating system, or embedded device operating system. Its role is to allow software programs and applications to run on those respective devices.

The Server Operating System helps enable and facilitate typical functions such as:

• Web server.
• email server.
• file server.
• database server.
• application server.
• print server.

At first, Any computing device including single board computers, laptops, desktops, and smartphones can become servers. However, for performance reasons, specially designed equipment is often used.

As in the desktop market, in the server market se can find open source and proprietary solutions. In the case of open source, the leadership is Linux, although there are alternatives based on BSD and Solaris. In the case of proprietary companies, the undisputed leader is Microsoft.

Among the Linux proposals the most used is Red Hat that is marketed under the subscription model

According to the latest available statistics, the market is distributed as follows:

• Windows: 47,8%
• Red Hat: 33,9%
• Others (unidentified): 18,3%

Linux distributions for servers. Some options

Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server

I said above that Red Hat is available under a subscription model that gives you access to software, technical support, and updates. HoweverIf you want to familiarize yourself with the Linux operating system most used in servers and its tools, you can do it andn free of charge by subscribing to your developer portal.

Debian

Debian is one of the best Linux distributions. It has very complete repositories, an excellent package management system, and a development process that ensures that every stable version they release is truly stable.

I didn't find any reliable statistics to back up what I am about to say so I may be wrong in a hideous way. My impression is that Debian on servers is not as popular as it should. I guess you have to see that unlike Ubuntu they do not release a proper version for servers. It is the user at the time of installation who decides whether to install a desktop or server applications.

Ubuntu Server

La version for Ubuntu servers orIt offers the robustness of Debian along with the integration of technologies for the cloud and virtualization. In addition, the use of Snap packet format and the LivePatch service that allows kernel update without the need for a reboot, reduce equipment downtime. Although the distribution is free, you can contract Canonical's technical support service.

FedoraServer

Una distribution for servers developed by the community, but sponsored by Red Hat. Fedora Server ideal for experienced administrators who want access to the latest technologies for free.

CentOS

Another project community supported by Red Hat and built with the source code of this distribution. It's free like Fedora, but takes time to incorporate new versions and technologies. This is not necessarily bad, we are talking about a sector that needs stability and reliability.

Cloud Linux

In this case we a distribution pexclusively for shared web hosting providers. Its core is built based on OpenVZ technology. OpenVZ allows multiple operating systems to be run simultaneously and virtually.

CloudLinux isolates each client in a separate "Light Virtualized Environment" (LVE), which partitions, allocates and limits server resources, such as memory, CPU and connections, for each

This distribution free to try for 30 days then buy a license.