Strategies for Successfully Deploying Linux Servers in a Cloud Environment

Linux is the dominant choice for cloud environments. Approximately 90% of the public cloud workload and 82% of all smartphones run on Linux. It’s no wonder: enterprises love its flexibility, open source nature and cloud-optimized performance. 

To get the most out of your Linux servers, here’s a guide to help deploy them seamlessly and securely and set up your cloud environment for success. 

Key Security Considerations for Linux Cloud Servers

Keep your data safe by implementing security best practices in your Linux distro. Here are some tips to help you deploy securely so you can protect your organization:

• Secure the server immediately. From day one of deploying your Linux server on the cloud, make sure you follow best practices for setting up security protocols, such as installing firewalls, adjusting access control and testing encryption. 
• Regularly update and patch your server. Ensure your Linux servers remain secure with automated patching and updates using tools like SUSE Multi-Linux Manager or other automation platforms. 
• Implement Identity and Access Management (IAM). Implement role-based access control (RBAC) and use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for security. 
• Encrypt data in cloud environments. Whether your data is at rest or in transit, it needs encryption. Many cloud providers offer encryption services to integrate seamlessly with Linux servers. 
• Plan to use a confidential computing cloud environment. If sensitive data needs to be processed, choose a Linux solution designed for confidential computing in the appropriate cloud environment. This ensures you can leverage memory and CPU encryption for maximum data protection.

Resource Management in the Cloud for Linux Servers

Keep your Linux servers running smoothly by managing resources appropriately. For example, you can scale resources dynamically. To meet fluctuating demand as well as minimize cost, you can leverage autoscaling for Linux servers in the cloud. You can also use performance monitoring tools, such as Prometheus or Grafana, to optimize cloud Linux server performance. 

Optimizing storage resources also means choosing the right virtual machine types and storage solutions. To keep your servers running smoothly, choose virtual machines based on workload demands and cost efficiency.

Integrate Your Linux Server Seamlessly With Your Existing IT Infrastructure

To deploy your Linux server successfully, you’ll need to make sure it integrates seamlessly with your existing IT infrastructure. Linux servers can be integrated into hybrid or multi-cloud environments, ensuring interoperability between on-premises and cloud systems. Make sure you set up your servers so they can be used to support containerized applications with Kubernetes, improving efficiency and scalability.

Then, you’ll need to configure your network settings to match your existing network so you have a secure and efficient network connection between your on-premises systems and your cloud-hosted Linux servers. 

Ensuring Long-Term Stability and Availability of Linux Cloud Servers

Once your Linux server is initially deployed, you’re not done — make sure you set it up for long-term success. Here’s a brief checklist of tasks to ensure the long-term stability and availability of your Linux cloud servers:

• Backup your Cloud Linux servers and set up disaster recovery plans.
• Create redundancy and high availability. Implement high-availability architectures, load balancing and failover strategies to ensure minimal downtime.
• Choose the right cloud provider for your Linux servers. It’s worth taking time to compare cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud and Azure in terms of their Linux server compatibility and offerings.

Successful Linux Cloud Deployments: Case Studies of Real Companies

 Many enterprises have successfully deployed Linux servers in cloud environments to improve scalability, security and operational efficiency. Here are some real-world case studies of enterprises that demonstrate the advantages of using Linux cloud servers. 

Case Study: Hungarian Tech Company Scales Managed Services Infrastructure with SUSE Linus Enterprise Server for SAP Applications

Techwave Hungary, a company that special­izes in helping businesses across Eastern Europe gain the benefits of SAP ERP solu­tions, wanted to scale out its managed ser­vices infrastructure. Using SUSE Linux En­terprise Server for SAP Applications, the company launched a private cloud platform capable of running large volumes of new SAP workloads. Linux servers have proven to be the perfect choice to support Techwave Hungary’s long-term goals and to unlock the an­alytics capabilities of SAP S/4HANA and SAP BW/4HANA.

Case Study: Australian Services Company Chooses SUSE Linux Enterprise Servers for Easy Live Patching

AGL delivers 4.5 million gas, electricity and telecommunications services across Australia. They deployed more than 100 Linux servers, and chose SUSE Linux Enterprise Server because of the servers’ easy live patching capabilities. Now, AGL can apply critical kernel patches to its live systems, reducing disruption to the business and contributing to 100% coverage for security patches. Maintenance and administration of these Linux servers is easy because Linux patches and updates are secure and fast. 

Set Your Linux Server Up for Success With SUSE

Linux servers offer a variety of benefits, but only if they’re deployed correctly. Deploying Linux servers in a cloud environment successfully requires careful planning. To keep your data safe, start by implementing IAM, and always install patches and updates. You can also maximize your server’s performance by managing resources carefully and integrating the server seamlessly with your existing IT infrastructure. 

Following these best practices will help you not only have a successful server deployment in the cloud, but it will also keep your servers secure and functioning optimally long-term. Learn more about SUSE’s business-critical Linux solutions and the digital transformation they empower.