SLES

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) is a commercially supported Linux distribution developed by SUSE for servers, data centers, private clouds, and public clouds. It is the enterprise edition of SUSE Linux and is designed to provide stability, security, and scalable performance for mission-critical workloads.

SLES is built on the Linux kernel and uses the RPM package management system with the Zypper command line tool and YaST for system configuration. It supports multiple architectures, including x86-64 and IBM System z, with broader platform coverage in supported releases. The distribution includes enterprise features such as centralized management through SUSE Manager, robust virtualization with KVM, high availability clustering, and integration with cloud platforms.

In recent releases, SLES has incorporated features aimed at reducing downtime and simplifying maintenance, such as transactional updates and snapshots via Btrfs with Rollback capabilities, while preserving system integrity during updates. It includes database and application optimizations and SAP HANA certifications for running SAP workloads. The software lifecycle emphasizes long-term support, security updates, and compatibility with enterprise software stacks.

SLES is widely used in data centers, private clouds, and public cloud deployments, including support for popular cloud providers. It is distributed under a paid subscription that includes access to updates, security advisories, and official technical support. The ecosystem includes tools such as SUSE Manager for lifecycle and patch management and Open Build Service for building software in a controlled environment.