Choosing SUSE for the Future of Linux

SUSE Liberty Linux was the former name for SUSE’s offering that provided support for environments using a 100% binary-compatible version of RHEL. It has now been integrated into SUSE Multi-Linux Support. Customers utilizing SUSE Liberty Linux ISOs and repositories may still encounter "Liberty" references as part of the service. The name change reflects the service-oriented nature of SUSE Multi-Linux Support and SUSE’s commitment to supporting multiple Linux distributions within a unified service, emphasizing its capability to handle complex, heterogeneous Linux environments. Additionally, it avoids the misunderstanding of perceiving it as another Linux distribution.

SUSE Multi-Linux Support currently supports the following distributions:

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)*
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)*
• CentOS

SUSE Multi-Linux Support offerings —Basic, Professional, and Enterprise— include SUSE Multi-Linux Manager, a powerful management tool that allows IT administrators to centrally manage various Linux distributions. It streamlines patching, monitoring, configuration, and more across supported distributions, reducing administrative overhead and operational complexity.
 

No migration is needed. SUSE Multi-Linux Support is a service that can be provided without requiring a migration from CentOS or RHEL to SUSE Liberty Linux. It allows you to maintain your existing infrastructure while benefiting from SUSE’s comprehensive support.
 

No, you won’t need to change your infrastructure or experience any downtime. Transitioning involves simply removing patch repositories from Red Hat and installing the channels from SUSE, ensuring a seamless switch with no disruptions.
 

No, with SUSE Multi-Linux Support, you are not required to migrate to SLES. However, you have the option to incorporate SLES into your environment if it meets your requirements, providing flexibility to adapt your Linux infrastructure as needed.
 

Migrating to other free Linux distributions often requires adapting to a completely different environment, abandoning the rpm format, reworking scripts, and learning new skills. This can be costly, time-consuming, and risky, especially for existing applications. SUSE Multi-Linux Support offers continuity by allowing you to keep your current setup without significant changes. Additionally, you benefit from SUSE’s 30+ years of enterprise Linux expertise, world-class 24x7 support, and a deep technical bench.
 

SUSE has developed solution bundles tailored to CentOS users, offering flexible pricing and various levels of support. These bundles enable you to select as little or as much support as you need, or even opt out of support altogether. Learn more about SUSE’s world-class support offerings here.

SUSE Liberty Linux, now part of SUSE Multi-Linux Support, is a 100% binary-compatible version of RHEL (including API and ABI 100% compatibility). This ensures that applications certified for RHEL will run seamlessly on SUSE Liberty Linux without any modifications.
 

Yes, you can maintain your current RHEL infrastructure. Transitioning to SUSE Multi-Linux Support involves removing existing patch repositories from Red Hat and configuring SUSE channels, with no need for infrastructure changes or downtime.
 

No, there is no migration or change needed for your existing RHEL systems—only the provider for support, service, and maintenance changes. Applications will continue to run on your current OS without issue. Furthermore, applications running on RHEL are expected to function equivalently on new SUSE Liberty Linux installations, as it maintains full binary compatibility with RHEL. However, we recommend testing specific applications in your environment to confirm performance and functionality.
 

Yes, SUSE Multi-Linux Support ensures that organizations running RHEL and CentOS 7 can continue to operate securely and reliably beyond their official end of life. SUSE provides Long Term Support after the general support phase for RHEL and CentOS and backports fixes into the version 7 code, maintaining 100% compatibility with the API and application binary interface (ABI). This approach addresses vulnerabilities and ensures system stability without disrupting existing functionalities.
 

No, SUSE Liberty Linux is included under the SUSE Multi-Linux Support subscription. Pricing is based on the number of systems and the level of support you select.
 

Yes, SUSE provides various SUSE Multi-Linux Support offerings tailored to different needs, including options for CentOS and RHEL users. These packages range from basic access to security patches and maintenance updates to comprehensive support with SUSE Multi-Linux Manager subscriptions.
 

Yes, SUSE Services offers a variety of support and consulting services:

• SUSE Premium Support Services: Direct access to a named engineer who can support your entire environment, including RHEL, CentOS, SLES, and Liberty.
• SUSE Consulting Services: Engagements range from validating the health of your current infrastructure to implementing solutions that simplify management or migration to SLES.
• SUSE eLearning Subscriptions: Flexible training options to get your team up to speed on SUSE technologies at your convenience.

Yes, SUSE Multi-Linux Support not only offers competitive pricing and support for your current Linux estate, but it also consolidates support for multiple Linux distributions under a single vendor, simplifying vendor management and reducing costs. Additionally, SUSE provides support for IT modernization, keeping your current environment supported while offering access to a futureproof Linux platform—SUSE Linux Enterprise Server—to support ongoing IT projects. Furthermore, SUSE is a trusted Linux provider for business-critical workloads, bringing decades of experience and expertise in supporting enterprise Linux to SUSE Multi-Linux Support.
 

CIQ, Oracle, and SUSE created the Open Enterprise Linux Association (OpenELA), a collaborative trade association, to encourage the development of distributions compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) by providing open and free Enterprise Linux (EL) source code. This foundation ensures the future of Enterprise Linux because it is not tied to the will of a single company or vendor. The foundation members are collaborating to deliver source code, tools, and systems through OpenELA for the community. For more information, see our joint press release.