The Benefits of Linux – and How You Can Leverage Them

May 22, 2019 | 3 minute read
Kate Farrow
Senior Marketing Manager
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Simplified administration, increased flexibility, faster development and deployment, and enhanced security – there are many reasons why more and more administrators and developers are turning to Linux.

Initially developed for personal computers based on the Intel-x86 architecture nearly thirty years ago, Linux has since spread to more platforms than any other operating system, and has considerably increased its popularity over the last several years.

Linux is now the dominant operating system for servers, mainframes, and even supercomputers. Since 2017, the 500 fastest supercomputers have exclusively used Linux-based operating systems.

Linux is also extremely prevalent in web servers; survey data from W3Techs shows that around 70% of the top 10 million websites are currently running some form of UNIX – with Linux being used by more than half of those.

Operating systems based on the Linux kernel are also widely used in embedded systems such as automation controls, networking devices, televisions, games consoles, and smartwatches. Due to the dominance of Android on smartphones, Linux also has the largest installed base of all general-purpose operating systems.

Below, we'll dive into the main features and benefits you can utilize and experience when operating Linux.

Docker

Docker enables you to run more load on the same hardware, increasing your server utilization even more than with virtual machines. A Docker-based infrastructure is easy to move to different environments, including private, public or shared Cloud. This infrastructure also enables your development team to develop in exactly the same environment that the app will run on – accelerating your deployment time.

By using orchestration platforms such as Docker Swarm or Kubernetes, developers can also self-administer tasks that previously required a system administrator – while many development, deployment, and admin tasks can simply be standardized and automated.

Docker’s standard reporting and management tools greatly simplify the command and control of your infrastructure. These tools save valuable system administrator time and make it much easier for new recruits to understand and operate your systems.

OpenStack

Using OpenStack for Cloud computing allows you to experience similar benefits of enhanced infrastructure efficiency, faster application development and deployment, and simplified administration.

Run your own private Cloud using OpenStack orchestration to automate provisioning and administration of your servers, virtual machines, and Docker containers – and leverage public OpenStack vendors to easily manage your load hikes. Storing data on distributed servers using various OpenStack services also boosts security.

PAM

Pluggable Authentication Modules simplify your system management by using common authentication mechanisms across all your systems and applications. In addition to freeing developers from worrying about the details of authentication, PAM enables system administrators to change security policies – for example, from single-factor to two-factor authentication – without requiring changes to your applications.

SELinux

With Security Enhanced Linux (SELinux) you can protect your systems from outside attacks by confining your applications to their minimal access rights. SELinux lets you monitor and control access to your critical data and systems, while guaranteeing compliance with data regulations like GDPR.

OpenSCAP

Keep your systems secure and compliant with your own or public security policies with OpenSCAP security automation. The OpenSCAP ecosystem provides multiple tools to assist administrators and auditors with assessment, measurement, and enforcement of security baselines.

Oracle KSplice

Use Oracle KSplice rebootless kernel updates and rollbacks to reduce downtime and system upgrade planning, while increasing security through faster patching of vulnerable servers. Monitor and control multiple systems from the KSplice Management Console to reduce your administration overheads and guarantee all of your systems are up-to-date.

Access Linux Training Videos 

Linux benefits are numerous and multi-faceted. The best way to ensure you're leveraging Linux to the maximum and not putting your company at risk is to keep your skills up-to-date with a wide-ranging and continuous learning program.

The Linux Learning Subscription from Oracle University provides you with year-round, 24/7 access to the most comprehensive Linux training material, including more than 350 videos covering all the above topics and more.

From developers to system administrators – of Linux, Red Hat, or CentOS it provides everything your team needs. Maximize knowledge and optimize your organization’s IT systems to protect your business and achieve your goals.

Take a look at the intuitive interface and get a FREE preview of the subscription content.

Operating systems, containers, and virtualization are the fundamental building blocks of the modern IT infrastructure. Whether your hardware is in your data center or in the Cloud, Oracle Linux provides the reliability, scalability, security, and performance you need for today’s demanding enterprise workloads. Make sure you and your team are trained to unleash all of its potential.

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Kate Farrow

Senior Marketing Manager

Kate Farrow has worked for Oracle University for many years and has a passion for transferring knowledge to others. Her favorite quote is by Albert Einstein:

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge

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