The 5 best Linux server distributions

The sheer number of features provided by Linux-based distributions make them suitable for web, file and DNS servers along with enterprise infrastructure.

To help readers choose the best Linux server distros, TipsMake would like to introduce the top 5 options available to you today.

1. Ubuntu Server

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The server version of Ubuntu offers a competitive feature set that makes it suitable for a wide range of tasks. You can use it to launch web servers or file servers as well as to power cloud services. The highly scalable nature of Ubuntu Server also makes it a great choice for emerging businesses.

According to this article, the latest version is 21.04, which will be supported until January 2022. The current long-term support version for this Linux server distribution is 20.04 LTS. You can also choose from a number of subscriptions if you need managed services or extended support.

2. Debian

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Debian is one of the best Linux distributions in terms of stability and ease of use. The distribution's extensive hardware support makes it easy to activate servers virtually anywhere. Furthermore, the Debian stable branch provides best security features and package upgrades to ensure continuous uptime. This also makes it super easy to fortify your Linux servers.

Debian provides long-term stable releases (LTS) at no charge. They provide support for 5 years. Businesses may also receive extended long-term assistance (ELTS) as part of a commercial incentive program. This will add 5 years of support for your business server.

3. Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server

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Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server is a commercial operating system that offers exceptional scalability as well as solid security. The majority of Fortune 500 companies use it for their IT infrastructure. Red Hat's robust subscriptions make it suitable for deploying emerging technologies. You can count on Red Hat to power bare-metal servers as well as virtual machines, containers, and cloud solutions.

LTS releases of this Linux server distribution provide software support for up to 10 years. Red Hat also offers extended lifecycle support (ELS) as part of a standard or premium subscription for customers using RHEL Server.

4. CentOS

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CentOS is an enterprise-grade Linux distribution developed and maintained by the open source community. Based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, CentOS provides what RHEL has to offer at no cost. You can use CentOS to power enterprise servers as well as desktops and workstations.

A key benefit of CentOS is the occasional package updates. This makes it easier to maintain servers mounted and reduces errors related to software updates. CentOS's robust security implementations also make it difficult for the intrusion process. However, due to the recent policy change of Red Hat, support for CentOS could end sooner than expected. Consider switching to CentOS Stream if this worries you.

5. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

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SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) is a powerful server operating system with a focus on stability and ease of use. All components of this server distro are strictly tested before they are put to use. This provides a safe and consistent system that is suitable for powering future technologies.

Current LTS releases offer up to 13 years of lifecycle support. New major releases hit the market every 3-4 years, and mini releases hit the market every year. Overall, it is suitable for businesses that need a server that is highly adaptable and secure for production needs.

Above are the best Linux server distributions that TipsMake wants to recommend to readers!

Wish you find yourself the right choice!

Samuel Daniel

Update 03 May 2021