Oracle Linux vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux


Two of the most popular corporate Linux distributions on the market are Oracle Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Despite the fact that the two operating systems share the same source code, there are some significant variations between them that merit investigation. The similarities and differences between Oracle Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux will be highlighted when we compare the two operating systems in this post.

What are Oracle Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux?

A Linux distribution called Oracle Linux is based on the free and open-source CentOS operating system. It was created by Oracle Corporation and is intended for use in business settings. The operating system has a number of characteristics that make it perfect for mission-critical workloads, including support for Oracle applications and the Oracle Database, as well as compatibility with the newest hardware platforms.

On the other side, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a for-profit Linux distribution created by Red Hat, Inc. It is renowned for its stability, security, and dependability and was created for business usage. Several businesses, including Fortune 500 firms, financial institutions, and government agencies, employ the operating system.

Licensing

The license structure is one of the main distinctions between Oracle Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a for-profit distribution that calls for a monthly fee to access. Technical assistance and access to software updates and security fixes are also included in the subscription.

Contrarily, Oracle Linux is available for free download and usage. But, you must buy an Oracle support subscription if you want access to software updates and security fixes. Access to Oracle support, software updates, and security patches are all included in the support subscription.

Support

Commercial support subscriptions are available for both Oracle Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, giving users access to technical help, software updates, and security patches. When it comes to assistance, there are certain variations between the two.

With a sizable staff of professionals accessible to offer clients technical help, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is renowned for its superior customer service. The Red Hat Knowledgebase, a comprehensive tool for problem-solving, is also accessible as part of the support subscription.

Oracle Linux also offers commercial assistance, however, the caliber of that support may change depending on how much of a subscription you purchase. The level of support you receive depends depend on the subscription level you choose to purchase, but the support subscription offers you access to Oracle assistance.

Properties

Compatibility

Due to their shared source code, Oracle Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux are almost compatibility equals. These operating systems may be used with a broad variety of hardware and applications since they were created for usage in corporate settings.

Nonetheless, there are some distinctions between the two in terms of their aptitude for using Oracle software. As Oracle Linux is made to work with Oracle applications and hardware platforms, it can be a better option if you utilize Oracle software. Red Hat Enterprise Linux can run Oracle software, although it might not be as well-suited for doing so as Oracle Linux.

Security

Both Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Oracle Linux frequently employ stringent security measures. Both operating systems provide a variety of security tools, including firewall support, intrusion detection and prevention, encryption, and the access control framework SELinux.

Both operating systems regularly roll out security updates and patches to ensure that problems are promptly fixed. With a dedicated security team charged with finding and fixing security issues, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is renowned for its strong security features.

Moreover, Oracle Linux has strong security safeguards, and the company regularly publishes security updates and fixes. Nonetheless, several clients have expressed dissatisfaction with the caliber and speed of Oracle's security patches.

Performance

Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Oracle Linux are both renowned for their strong performance capabilities. Both operating systems can manage complicated systems and a lot of work since they are built to be utilized in corporate situations.

The two operating systems are not very different from one another in terms of performance metrics. Both Oracle Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux have excellent test results and are appropriate for usage in high-performance systems.

Community

Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Oracle Linux both have vibrant communities that support and advance the project. With a sizable and vibrant user base, Red Hat Enterprise Linux offers a wide range of discussion boards, mailing lists, and other user-friendly services.

While being active, the Oracle Linux community is smaller than the Red Hat Enterprise Linux community. Yet, Oracle does provide a variety of user resources, like manuals, message boards, and other assistance tools.

Customization

Both Oracle Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux provide a wide range of customization options that may be catered to a business's particular requirements. Both operating systems have several customization possibilities, such as the capacity to install unique software bundles, set up security parameters, and modify user interfaces.

Cloud Integration

Both Oracle Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux were developed with cloud computing settings in mind. Both operating systems enable virtualization technologies like KVM and Docker and integrate with well-known cloud services like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and Oracle Linux are both well-liked options for companies and organizations needing dependable, secure, and scalable operating systems since each has special characteristics and advantages.

With a vast range of features and tools for managing intricate IT systems, RHEL is widely recognized as the industry standard for enterprise-level Linux distributions. It has a sizable and vibrant user and development community that actively contributes to frequent updates and fixes that keep it current and safe. It can smoothly interact with other corporate apps because of its partnerships with other technology providers. But, Oracle Linux is a fantastic option for companies that employ Oracle products because it was created expressly for use with Oracle software. Moreover, it provides strong support services from Oracle together with exceptional performance, security, and scalability.

For enterprise-level support and maintenance, both RHEL and Oracle Linux need subscription payments. Oracle Linux, on the other hand, provides more affordable solutions, including a free version that is excellent for testing and development.

The decision between RHEL and Oracle Linux will ultimately be based on the particular needs and demands of the company or organization. Although RHEL is the industry standard and provides more comprehensive support for a wider range of applications, Oracle Linux could be a more affordable choice for companies that primarily utilize Oracle products.

Updated on: 20-Jul-2023

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