14 DAY TRIAL // SUSE Linux Enterprise 12, an enterprise-class Linux distribution powered by SUSE LINUX and created by Novell, has been officially released, both for the desktop and server markets.
Most of the Linux community has heard about OpenSuSE, but that's just the open source side of the OS. The SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 is a distribution aimed at business, just like Red Hat. It's developed by Novell and it's been around for a very long time. It has a long development cycle and the devs provide service packs, which greatly increase the length of the support period.
To get a better idea of the support, you have to know that SP2 for SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 was made available all the way back in February 2012. The SUSE operating system is used in a vast array of businesses and companies, not to mention the fact that it's also present in a few supercomputers. It's renowned for being very stable and it features premium support from the company that builds it.
SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 is a true evolution
The desktop and server landscapes have changed tremendously over the past few years and the cloud is now getting all the attention. It's no wonder that everyone is trying to make their operating systems ready for all kinds of interactions. New products are needed and the old infrastructure must be upgraded.
"SUSE today announced the general availability of SUSE Linux Enterprise 12, the newest version of its reliable, scalable and secure platform for efficiently deploying and managing highly available enterprise-class IT services in physical, virtual or cloud infrastructure. New products based on SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 feature enhancements that more readily enable system uptime, improve operational efficiency and accelerate innovation."
"The foundation for all SUSE data center operating systems and extensions, SUSE Linux Enterprise meets the performance requirements of data centers with mixed IT environments, while reducing the risk of technological obsolescence and vendor lock-in," reads the official announcement.
Besides all the changes that you would expect to see, like new desktops or Linux kernels, the Novell developers have also introduced a new feature called SUSE Customer Center, which should allow people to modify they subscriptions, access patches and updates, and generally better interact with the makers of the system.
You can download SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 for Desktop and Server right now from Softpedia, but this is only a trial version and it's generally aimed at businesses, not regular users.