Oracle Linux
Oracle Linux
Oracle Linux is a Linux distribution packaged and freely distributed by Oracle Corporation. It is designed to provide a complete, secure, and robust infrastructure solution, optimized for Oracle's suite of software products. As an open-source operating system, Oracle Linux is compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), making it an attractive option for enterprises that rely on RHEL-compatible applications.
History and Development
Initially released as Oracle Enterprise Linux, Oracle Linux was introduced to offer a competitive alternative to existing commercial Linux distributions like RHEL. It leverages the Linux kernel and includes Oracle's Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK), which is optimized for performance and security enhancements.
Key Features
Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel
The Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel provides advanced features in performance, scalability, and reliability. This kernel is tailored specifically to optimize Oracle products, such as Oracle Database, enhancing their performance on Oracle Linux platforms.
Oracle Ksplice
Oracle Linux includes Ksplice, a feature allowing users to apply security updates and patches to the Linux kernel without rebooting the system. This ability maintains high availability, a crucial requirement for enterprise environments.
Support for Cloud and Virtualization
Oracle Linux is designed to run efficiently both on-premises and in the cloud. It is the default operating system for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), making it straightforward for enterprises to migrate workloads to the cloud. It also supports Oracle VM Server for virtualization, facilitating the deployment of mixed environments with Windows, Linux, and Solaris guests.
Community and Industry Collaboration
Oracle participates actively in the Linux community and collaborates with other industry players to promote open-source software development. One such initiative is the Open Enterprise Linux Association (OpenELA), a collaborative effort between CIQ, Oracle, and SUSE to produce open and free Enterprise Linux source code, encouraging the development of RHEL-compatible distributions.
Compatibility and Usage
Oracle Linux is compatible with popular enterprise applications and software, making it a viable option for organizations that use Oracle solutions in their IT infrastructure. Its compatibility with RHEL allows it to support a broad range of enterprise applications without requiring significant changes.