Windows is the most widely used desktop operating system, but if you set up your server either at home or in the cloud, you‘ll get a special appeal from Linux. This system maximizes performance, stability, and security when mounting the server. Also, many programs and services are usually installed by default, and most alternatives are completely free. The only problem we can find is wanting to use a Linux distribution. Therefore, in the following, I will leave the best one.
A server distribution, similar to most Linux desktop distributions. Broadly speaking, they all work in much the same way, so in most cases, you’ll choose one for your personal taste unless you have special needs that only a particular distribution can cover. For example, if you like Ubuntu, choose Ubuntu Server as your server. If we hate it, we look for an alternative.
Check which is the main Linux distribution designed to run on the server. In addition, analyze the strengths or weaknesses of using each.
Ubuntu server, the most well-known and familiar Linux distribution
Ubuntu is the most well-known and most used Linux distribution on the desktop. For this reason, this distribution has one of the largest community XNUMXs you can find on the web, literally helping us in the event of a problem and providing all sorts of support. If you don’t want to do complicated tasks, Ubuntu Server is the most well-known option.
Canonical, which is responsible for Ubuntu, release a new version of the server distribution every five years. These versions come with LTS support so you can forget to change the XNUMX annual version. This is because support and security patches will be provided during that period.
We can download the Ubuntu server from this link for free. In addition, Canonical has its own cloud, and you pay to set up and maintain your own cloud managed by BootStack.
Options based on CentOS, Red Hat Enterprise
Red Hat Enterprise is one of the most popular commercial Linux distributions, XNUMX. Especially because there are companies like Red Hat that offer all sorts of support. However, many users can’t afford to pay Red Hat to use this Linux. This gives you an alternative that is being developed and maintained by the community. For desktops you have Fedora and for servers you have CentOS.
CentOS is a community-managed Red Hat-based server distribution. Among its main features, it can be emphasized that the system is much smaller than other distributions, so each administrator can configure the system as needed and does not need to install unnecessary packages by default. .. Its XNUMX strengths are stability and extended support, allowing you to use your distribution without changing versions for years. In addition, it provides a disaster recovery system through a cluster, ready to use the latest technologies such as container virtualization.
We can download CentOS from the following link.
Arch Linux, for those seeking maximum minimalism
If you have a wide range of knowledge about Linux systems and want to try the best, you should definitely consider installing Arch Linux on your server. Arch is one of the simplest and lightest distributions XNUMX you can find on both your desktop and server. However, it is also one of the most complex to set up and configure, XNUMX.
The Arch Linux installation is fully personalized. That is, you need to start with the kernel and select other packages to install. In this way, you can install only the packages and services you need and leave everything else uninstalled to reduce the number of unnecessary packages. This distribution is working on a rolling release update model, so installing regular updates will keep you up to date. The first time you install Arch Linux, you do not need to reinstall it.
We can download Arch Linux from its website.
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, server distribution with the best professional support
Above all, if our interest is to keep professional technical support available, SLES is one of the 24 best distributions in this regard. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is an OpenSUSE-based distribution but designed to provide users with the highest possible stability and performance. In addition, SLES provides 7xXNUMX fast response support to help you substantially solve problems that may occur in the shortest possible time. If you need a system that works, is simple, and is prepared for failures, SLES is your solution.
We can download the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for free from the following link.
Debian, all Linux distributions
Debian is one of the 20 best Linux distributions we can find. It’s one of the purest XNUMXs that offers the best performance and stability, providing users with the best support and free community. With over XNUMX years of development and dozens of distributions based on it (including Ubuntu), Debian can fully meet all the needs of any user.
It’s true that Debian is often referred to as Linux for the desktop, but in reality, it also fully functions as a server. The perfect distribution for anyone looking for a balance without having to pay the elderly for professional support. You can install Debian from just a 30MB image and, like most dedicated server distributions, you can choose all the packages you need.
We can download Debian from here. Of course, if you want to use it on a server where stability is a priority, you should always download the “Stable” branch, not the other development branches.
Raspberry Pi OS Lite turns RPi into a Linux server
Not all of us have a complete computer to use as a server. But surely most of us have a raspberry pie at home, or we can buy it. Raspberry Pi OS Lite is a Debian-based Linux distribution specially created for running on this microcomputer. In addition, the “Lite” version is a reduced version that comes with only the required packages and terminals so that you can update it yourself.
This distribution is directly managed by the Raspberry Pi, which is based on Debian updates and patches. Therefore, we have a fully functional system for every task. Over 99% of the services and programs are fully functional on this system, and even if the Raspberry Pi uses an ARM processor, there are no architectural issues.
Leave a Reply