SuSE

Submitted by Simon Waters on Tue, 02/16/2010 - 22:44

SuSE (at time of writing SuSE 11 (Enterprise or Desktop) is the current server version) is a distribution owned and managed by Novell.

Enterprise is a server OS, with a strong focus on virtualization. Desktop unsurprisingly is the OS you might install on a desktop PC or laptop.

Those familiar with Novell Netware will find Novell have migrated many Netware services into their Enterprise offering, and will not be surprised to find a strong emphasis on Directory Services, and integration of SuSE Linux into large Enterprise networks.

You'd typically look at SuSE if you were deploying into a large Enterprise, looking for a supplier who can help you integrate with Active Directory, or possibly third party directory and authentication systems.

SuSE has a relatively small but dedicated hobbyist following, and Novell's support means that they were early in deploying some tools for Virtualization, and fancy 3D desktop effects, before some other distributions.

Solid, dependable, easy to integrate into business setting, with good commercial support.