SUSE Linux Enterprise#SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

{{Infobox OS

| name = SUSE Linux Enterprise

| logo = SUSE Linux 15.svg

| screenshot =

| caption =

| developer = SUSE

| family = Linux (Unix-like)

| released = {{start date and age|2000|08|31}}

| language = Multilingual

| userland = GNU

| ui = GNOME{{cite book

| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=-jzcJkXTLuUC&q=suse%20linux%20server%20default%20desktop&pg=PA31

| title = The Definitive Guide to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server - Sander van Vugt - Google Books

| isbn = 9781430203261

| access-date = 2017-03-06

| last1 = Vugt

| first1 = Sander van

| date = February 2007

| publisher = Apress

}}{{cite web

| url = https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=sle

| title = DistroWatch.com: SUSE Linux Enterprise

| access-date = 2017-03-06

| archive-date = 2009-09-17

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090917034603/https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=sle

| url-status = live

}}

| license = GNU General Public License and various

| website = {{URL|https://www.suse.com/products/server/}}
{{URL|https://www.suse.com/products/desktop/}}

| source_model = Open source

| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|reference|edit|Q1759786|P348|P548=Q2804309}}{{cite web|url=https://www.suse.com/c/suse-introduces-multimodal-os-to-bridge-traditional-and-software-defined-infrastructure/|title=SUSE Introduces Multimodal OS to Bridge Traditional and Software-Defined Infrastructure - SUSE Communities|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=8 June 2022|archive-date=19 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719173531/https://www.suse.com/c/suse-introduces-multimodal-os-to-bridge-traditional-and-software-defined-infrastructure/|url-status=live}} SP-6{{cite web

| url = https://www.suse.com/c/announcing-suse-linux-enterprise-15-sp6-the-linux-choice-for-security-and-compliance-in-a-reliable-it/

| title = Announcing the Availability of SUSE Linux Enterprise 15 SP6 – The Linux Choice for Security and Compliance in a Reliable IT

| date = 26 June 2024

| access-date = 27 June 2024

| archive-date = 21 August 2024

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240821012429/https://www.suse.com/c/announcing-suse-linux-enterprise-15-sp6-the-linux-choice-for-security-and-compliance-in-a-reliable-it/

| url-status = live

}}

| GA date = {{end date and age|2024|06|26}}

| marketing_target = Commercial market (include mainframes, servers, workstations, supercomputers)

| kernel_type = Monolithic (Linux)

| working_state = Current

| supported_platforms = IA-32 (except SLES 12 and 15), x86-64, ARM32, ARM64, s390x, IBM Power, IBM Z

| updatemodel = Zypper, YaST2

| package_manager = RPM Package Manager

}}

SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLE) is a Linux-based operating system developed by SUSE. It is available in two editions, suffixed with Server (SLES) for servers and mainframes, and Desktop (SLED) for workstations and desktop computers.

Its major versions are released at an interval of three–four years, while minor versions (called "Service Packs") are released about every 12 months. SUSE Linux Enterprise products receive more intense testing than the upstream openSUSE community product, with the intention that only mature, stable versions of the included components will make it through to the released enterprise product. It is developed from a common code base with other SUSE Linux Enterprise products.

IBM's Watson was built on IBM's POWER7 systems using SLES.{{citation

|title = Release Notes SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12

|url = https://www.suse.com/promo/ibm-watson.html

|date = 2011-02-15

|access-date = 2011-02-15

|publisher = Novell, Inc.

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430081106/https://www.suse.com/promo/ibm-watson.html

|archive-date=30 April 2015 |url-status=dead}} Hewlett Packard Enterprise's Frontier, world's first and fastest exascale supercomputer runs on SUSE's SLES 15 (HPE Cray OS).{{Cite web |last=Dayley |first=Bret |date=7 January 2023 |title=World's fastest supercomputer runs SUSE Linux |url=https://www.suse.com/c/worlds-fastest-supercomputer-runs-suse-linux/ |website=SUSE}}

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

SLES was developed based on SUSE Linux by a small team led by Marcus Kraft and Bernhard Kaindl as principal developer who were supported by Joachim "Jos" Schröder. It was first released on October 31, 2000 as a version for IBM S/390 mainframe machines.{{cite press release |publisher=SuSE |url=http://www.suse.de/en/produkte/susesoft/s390/S390release.html |title=SuSE Linux for S/390 available today |date=October 31, 2000|access-date=2017-09-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010605154144/http://www.suse.de/en/produkte/susesoft/s390/S390release.html |archive-date=June 5, 2001 }} In December 2000, the first enterprise client (Telia) was made public.{{cite web |url=http://hardware.silicon.com/desktops/0,39024645,11021413,00.htm |title=Linux mainframe ousts Sun servers at Telia |work=silicon.com |date=December 7, 2000 |first=Joey |last=Gardiner |access-date=2006-11-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050414204158/http://hardware.silicon.com/desktops/0,39024645,11021413,00.htm |archive-date=April 14, 2005 }} In April 2001, the first SLES for x86 was released.

From a business perspective, SLES is not only a technical offering, but also has entangled a commercial offering (services and support). The initial business model was inspired by recurrent charges established in the mainframe world at this time, and innovated by Jürgen Geck and Malcom Yates. Based on customer needs and feedback as well as other evolving Linux based offerings the business model has been reworked by different people in the subsequent years until today.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 (SLES 9) was released in August 2004. Service Pack 4 was released in December 2007. It was supported by hardware vendors including IBM, HP, Sun Microsystems, Dell, SGI, Lenovo, and Fujitsu Siemens Computers.{{Cite web |url=https://lwn.net/Articles/110442/ |title=A First Look at Novell Linux Desktop 9 [LWN.net] |access-date=2018-07-10 |archive-date=2020-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807194824/https://lwn.net/Articles/110442/ |url-status=live }}[https://www.networkworld.com/article/875498/lan-wan-novell-linux-desktop.html Novell Linux Desktop | Network World][https://www.osnews.com/story/9673/novell-linux-desktop-9-grabbing-a-part-of-the-enterprise/ Novell Linux Desktop 9: Grabbing a Part of the Enterprise] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211070438/https://www.osnews.com/story/9673/novell-linux-desktop-9-grabbing-a-part-of-the-enterprise/ |date=2021-02-11 }}, OSNews{{Cite web |url=https://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8169 |title=Linux in Government: Linux Desktop Reviews, Part 2 - Novell Linux Desktop {{!}} Linux Journal |access-date=2018-07-10 |archive-date=2021-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116113606/https://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8169 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/874928/software-novell-serves-up-an-operating-system-winner-with-sles-9.html |title=Novell serves up an operating system winner with SLES 9 {{!}} Network World |access-date=2024-04-26 |archive-date=2023-12-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206114314/https://www.networkworld.com/article/874928/software-novell-serves-up-an-operating-system-winner-with-sles-9.html |url-status=live }}

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 (SLES 10) was released in July 2006,{{Cite web |url=https://www.novell.com/PressRelease/press_archive.jsp?id=1031 |title="Novell Delivers Next-Generation Platform for the Open Enterprise" |access-date=2014-05-04 |archive-date=2016-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310163529/http://www.novell.com/PressRelease/press_archive.jsp?id=1031 |url-status=live }} and is also supported by the major hardware vendors. Service pack 4 was released in April 2011.{{Cite web |url=https://www.novell.com/news/press/2011/4/novell-offers-industrys-longest-enterprise-linux-support-program-.html |title=Novell Offers Industry's Longest Enterprise Linux Support Program |access-date=2014-05-04 |archive-date=2016-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507022036/http://www.novell.com/news/press/2011/4/novell-offers-industrys-longest-enterprise-linux-support-program-.html |url-status=live }} SLES 10 shared a common codebase with SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10—Novell's desktop distribution for business use—and other SUSE Linux Enterprise products.[https://www.osnews.com/story/15029 First Look: Novell's SLED 10] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202191339/https://www.osnews.com/story/15029/ |date=2020-12-02 }}, OSNews[https://www.osnews.com/story/15103 First Look: Novell's SLED 10, pt. II] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202192743/https://www.osnews.com/story/15103/ |date=2020-12-02 }}, OSNews

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 (SLES 11) was released on March 24, 2009{{Cite web |url=https://www.novell.com/news/press/2009/3/novell-ships-suse-linux-enterprise-11.html |title=Novell Ships SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 |access-date=2014-05-04 |archive-date=2016-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116133518/http://www.novell.com/news/press/2009/3/novell-ships-suse-linux-enterprise-11.html |url-status=live }} and included Linux kernel 2.6.27, Oracle Cluster File System Release 2, support for the OpenAIS cluster communication protocol for server and storage clustering, and Mono 2.0.{{cite news |first=Timothy Prickett |last=Morgan |title=Novell Previews Features in SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 |url=http://www.itjungle.com/tlb/tlb032508-story01.html |work=The Linux Beacon |date=2008-03-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706213026/http://www.itjungle.com/tlb/tlb032508-story01.html |archive-date=2008-07-06 }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/suse-linux-enterprise-desktop-11-lots-of-tech-but-short-on-polish/ |title=SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11: Lots of Tech but Short on Polish {{!}} ZDNet |access-date=2018-07-10 |archive-date=2020-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918195150/https://www.zdnet.com/article/suse-linux-enterprise-desktop-11-lots-of-tech-but-short-on-polish/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/14/sled_11_review/ |title=SLED 11: a distro for businesses, not idealists • The Register |access-date=2018-07-21 |archive-date=2020-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511163747/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/14/sled_11_review/ |url-status=live }} SLES 11 SP1 (released May 2010) rebased the kernel version to 2.6.32.{{cite news |url=https://www.novell.com/news/press/2010/5/novell-announces-suse-linux-enterprise-11-service-pack-1.html |title=Novell Announces SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 Service Pack 1 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |access-date=2014-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222914/https://www.novell.com/news/press/2010/5/novell-announces-suse-linux-enterprise-11-service-pack-1.html |url-status=live }} In February 2012, SLES 11 SP2 was released, based on kernel version 3.0.10.{{cite web|url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/11-SP2/|title=Release Notes for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 Service Pack 2|publisher=Novell|date=2012-02-15|access-date=2014-05-04|archive-date=2012-02-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229082701/https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/11-SP2/|url-status=live}}

SLES 11 SP2 included a Consistent Network Device Naming feature for Dell servers.{{cite web |url= https://linux.dell.com/files/whitepapers/consistent_network_device_naming_in_linux.pdf |date= July 2012 |author= Narendra K |title= Consistent Network Device Naming in Linux |publisher= Dell Linux Engineering division |access-date= May 27, 2013 |archive-date= October 5, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111005055205/https://linux.dell.com/files/whitepapers/consistent_network_device_naming_in_linux.pdf |url-status= live }}

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 (SLES 12) beta was made available on February 25, 2014,{{citation | title=Suse Linux Enterprise 12 Beta available | url=https://www.suse.com/company/press/2014/2/suse-linux-enterprise-12-beta-available.html | access-date=2014-05-27 | archive-date=2014-05-27 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527212516/https://www.suse.com/company/press/2014/2/suse-linux-enterprise-12-beta-available.html | url-status=live }} and the final version was released on October 27, 2014.{{citation | title=SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 Now Available | url=https://www.suse.com/company/press/2014/10/suse-linux-enterprise-12-now-available.html | access-date=2014-11-30 | archive-date=2014-10-27 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027194727/https://www.suse.com/company/press/2014/10/suse-linux-enterprise-12-now-available.html | url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.heise.de/open/artikel/Die-Neuerungen-von-Suse-Linux-Enterprise-12-2432573.html |title=Die Neuerungen von Suse Linux Enterprise 12 {{!}} c't Magazin |access-date=2020-01-13 |archive-date=2016-05-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529034521/http://www.heise.de/open/artikel/Die-Neuerungen-von-Suse-Linux-Enterprise-12-2432573.html |url-status=dead }}

SLES 12 SP1 was released on December 18, 2015.{{cite web |title= SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 Service Pack 1 Now Available |date= December 22, 2015 |publisher= SUSE |url= https://www.suse.com/newsroom/post/2015/suse-linux-enterprise-12-service-pack-1-now-available/ |access-date= September 12, 2017 |archive-date= February 26, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170226031902/https://www.suse.com/newsroom/post/2015/suse-linux-enterprise-12-service-pack-1-now-available/ |url-status= live }}{{cite web |title= SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP1 Release Notes |date= August 3, 2017 |publisher= SUSE |url= https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/12-SP1/ |access-date= September 12, 2017 |archive-date= February 1, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160201004051/https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/12-SP1/ |url-status= live }}{{cite web|title = First Service Pack for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 Brings Docker and Shibboleth|url = https://news.softpedia.com/news/first-service-pack-for-suse-linux-enterprise-server-12-brings-docker-and-shibboleth-497811.shtml|website = softpedia|date = 18 December 2015|access-date = 2015-12-21|archive-date = 2015-12-21|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151221002118/https://news.softpedia.com/news/first-service-pack-for-suse-linux-enterprise-server-12-brings-docker-and-shibboleth-497811.shtml|url-status = live}} SP1 added Docker, Shibboleth, Network Teaming, and JeOS images.

SP2 was released November 11, 2016.{{cite web |title= SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 Service Pack 2 – The Best Enterprise OS |author= Raj Meel |date= November 8, 2016 |publisher= SUSE |url= https://www.suse.com/communities/blog/suse-linux-enterprise-12-service-pack-2-product-launch/ |access-date= September 12, 2017 |archive-date= September 12, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170912191930/https://www.suse.com/communities/blog/suse-linux-enterprise-12-service-pack-2-product-launch/ |url-status= live }}{{cite web |title= SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP2 Release Notes |date= April 3, 2017 |publisher= SUSE |url= https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/12-SP2/ |access-date= April 17, 2017 |archive-date= October 29, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161029114441/https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/12-SP2/ |url-status= live }}{{cite news |title= SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 Service Pack 2 arrives |work= ZDNet |author= Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols |date= November 11, 2016 |url= https://www.zdnet.com/article/suse-linux-enterprise-12-service-pack-2-arrives/ |access-date= April 17, 2017 |archive-date= April 18, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170418082454/http://www.zdnet.com/article/suse-linux-enterprise-12-service-pack-2-arrives/ |url-status= live }}

SP3 was released September 7, 2017.{{cite web |title= Announcing Service Pack 3 for SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 |author= Raj Meel |date= September 7, 2017 |publisher= SUSE |url= https://www.suse.com/communities/blog/announcing-service-pack-3-suse-linux-enterprise-12/ |access-date= September 12, 2017 |archive-date= September 9, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170909233040/https://www.suse.com/communities/blog/announcing-service-pack-3-suse-linux-enterprise-12/ |url-status= live }}{{cite web |title= SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP3 Release Notes |date= September 7, 2017 |publisher= SUSE |url= https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/12-SP3/ |access-date= September 12, 2017 |archive-date= August 5, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170805084933/https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/12-SP3/ |url-status= live }}{{cite news |title= SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 SP3 released |work= ZDNet |author= Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols |date= September 8, 2017 |url= https://www.zdnet.com/article/suse-linux-enterprise-12-sp3-released/ |access-date= September 12, 2017 |archive-date= September 11, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170911110110/http://www.zdnet.com/article/suse-linux-enterprise-12-sp3-released/ |url-status= live }}

The SLES 13 and SLES 14 version numbers were skipped due to superstitions associated with those numbers in certain cultures.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/06/25/suse_linux_enterprise_15/ |title=SUSE Linux Enterprise turns 15: Look, Ma! A common code base |access-date=2020-02-19 |archive-date=2020-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219003228/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/06/25/suse_linux_enterprise_15/ |url-status=live }}

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 (SLES 15) beta 1 was released on October 18, 2017,{{Cite web |url=https://www.suse.com/c/suse-linux-enterprise-15-beta-1-available/ |title=SUSE Linux Enterprise 15 Beta 1 is available! - SUSE Communities |access-date=2018-07-19 |archive-date=2021-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123020700/https://www.suse.com/c/suse-linux-enterprise-15-beta-1-available/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=SUSE-Linux-Enterprise-15-Beta |title=SUSE Linux Enterprise 15 Reaches Beta: Using GNOME & Wayland, Linux 4.12 - Phoronix |access-date=2018-07-21 |archive-date=2020-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202121303/https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=SUSE-Linux-Enterprise-15-Beta |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.linuxinsider.com/story/85416.html |title=Suse Linux Enterprise 15 Bridges Traditional, Software-Defined Systems {{!}} Enterprise {{!}} LinuxInsider |access-date=2018-07-24 |archive-date=2019-09-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902183228/https://www.linuxinsider.com/story/85416.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/suse-linux-enterprise-server-takes-a-big-step-forward/ |title=SUSE Linux Enterprise Server takes a big step forward {{!}} ZDNet |access-date=2018-07-24 |archive-date=2020-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807190408/https://www.zdnet.com/article/suse-linux-enterprise-server-takes-a-big-step-forward/ |url-status=live }} and the final version was released on July 16, 2018.{{Cite web |url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15/ |title=Release Notes {{!}} SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 GA |access-date=2018-07-21 |archive-date=2021-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608211141/https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15/ |url-status=live }} SLES 15 SP2, which updates the kernel, PostgreSQL, Samba, Salt and many other parts of the operating system, was released on July 21, 2020.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop

Image:SUSE Linux Enterprise 15 SP3 screenshot.png

SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED), introduced as Novell Linux Desktop (NLD), targeted at the business market,{{cite web|url=http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS8193213538.html|title=Novell aims rebranded SUSE Linux 10 at enterprise desktops|year=2006|author=Peter Galli|publisher=eWeek|access-date=2009-01-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725060409/http://desktoplinux.com/news/NS8193213538.html|archive-date=2008-07-25}} it is developed from a common codebase with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) and other SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLE) products. SLED includes the GNOME Shell, LibreOffice, Evolution and many other popular open source packages such as Dia, TigerVNC, and lftp. Like SLES, SLED is based on openSUSE Tumbleweed and shares a common codebase with openSUSE Leap.

SLED since version 12 has included a modified version of the GNOME Classic Shell to include a layout with one panel on the bottom of the screen, traditional application menus, and desktop icons for traditional desktop users. It also includes LibreOffice, Mozilla Firefox, and Evolution along with many standard GNOME utilities, such as GNOME Documents and GNOME Files. As well, the YaST Control Center allows end users to make advanced changes to the system from the command line.

HP offers business notebooks with SLED 11 preinstalled, under both its own brand and the Compaq brand.{{Cite web |url=http://h71016.www7.hp.com/dstore/ctoBases.asp?BEID=19701&ProductLineId=539&oi=E9CED&FamilyId=2769&LowPrice=%24729.00&LowBaseId=23430&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN |title=HP E-Commerce Site |access-date=2021-08-07 |archive-date=2013-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524013424/http://h71016.www7.hp.com/dstore/ctoBases.asp?BEID=19701&ProductLineId=539&oi=E9CED&FamilyId=2769&LowPrice=%24729.00&LowBaseId=23430&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN |url-status=live }}

Micro-Star International offered MSI Wind Netbooks with SLED 10 preinstalled.{{Cite web |url=http://www.novell.com/news/press/novell-extends-desktop-linux-leadership-through-pre-load-agreement-with-micro-star-international/ |title=Novell Extends Desktop Linux Leadership Through Pre-Load Agreement With Micro-Star International |access-date=2021-08-07 |archive-date=2010-02-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216215650/http://www.novell.com/news/press/novell-extends-desktop-linux-leadership-through-pre-load-agreement-with-micro-star-international |url-status=live }} Sun Microsystems previously licensed SLED as the basis of the Linux version of Java Desktop System.

In March 2018, SUSE Product Manager Jay Kruemcke wrote in SUSE blog that SUSE Linux Enterprise developers have ported it to Raspberry Pi.{{Cite web |url=https://www.suse.com/c/small-server-big-companies-new-raspberry-pi-support-sles-arm/ |title=A small server for big companies – New Raspberry Pi support in SLES for ARM - SUSE Communities |access-date=2018-08-19 |archive-date=2021-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308130341/https://www.suse.com/c/small-server-big-companies-new-raspberry-pi-support-sles-arm/ |url-status=dead }}

=History=

SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop has been developed while SUSE was under the ownership of several different parent companies. SUSE was owned by and conducted business as Novell from SLED's first release as Novell Linux Desktop in 2004 until 2011 when The Attachmate Group purchased Novell and created SUSE as an autonomous subsidiary. Micro Focus in turn purchased The Attachmate Group in 2014 and made SUSE an autonomous business unit, before selling it to EQT AB in 2019. EQT AB is a private equity group that develops new companies before divesting them as independent companies.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/15/suse-is-once-again-an-independent-company/|title=Suse is once again an independent company|website=TechCrunch|date=15 March 2019|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-10|archive-date=2023-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821172125/https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/15/suse-is-once-again-an-independent-company/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eqtpartners.com/About-EQT/Business-Model/Long-term-Perspective/|title=Long term perspective - EQT|date=10 June 2019|website=Long term perspective - EQT|access-date=10 June 2019|archive-date=17 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117163848/https://www.eqtpartners.com/About-EQT/Business-Model/Long-term-Perspective/|url-status=dead}}

;Novell Linux Desktop 9

Novell Linux Desktop (NLD) 9 was originally released November 8, 2004,{{cite web|url=https://distrowatch.com/?newsid=02066|title=Distribution Release: Novell Linux Desktop 9 (DistroWatch.com News)|last=DistroWatch|website=distrowatch.com|access-date=2018-07-26|archive-date=2006-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017212046/https://distrowatch.com/?newsid=02066|url-status=live}} less than a year after Novell's acquisition of SUSE. There were a number of Service Packs (SP's) released for NLD 9. SP1 was released on February 11, 2005 and contained many updates. After that, SP2 was released on August 9, 2005, containing all the released updates and bugfixes since August 2004. SP3 was released on December 22, 2005.

NLD 9 was based on SUSE Linux 9.1 and offered a more conservative offering of desktop applications for businesses. Its desktop included common end user applications like Mozilla Firefox, OpenOffice.org. NLD also included software developed by Novell and its 2003 acquisition Ximian, such as the Red Carpet software management tool from Ximian and Novell's system management tool ZenWorks.{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/product/novell-linux-desktop-9/|title=Novell Linux Desktop 9 Review|website=ZDNet|language=en|access-date=2018-07-26|archive-date=2021-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402174253/https://www.zdnet.com/product/novell-linux-desktop-9/|url-status=live}}

;SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10

With SLED 10, Novell increased the focus on features for a broader range of corporate users by focusing on meeting the needs for basic office workers, positioning SLED as a competitor to Microsoft Windows. Basic office workers were defined in this context as users who need basic desktop functionality, including an office suite, a collaboration client, a web browser, and instant messaging. Novell attempts to meet these needs by concentrating on making these components very compatible with existing enterprise infrastructure, such as Microsoft Office data files, Microsoft Active Directory, and Microsoft Exchange Server or Novell GroupWise collaboration systems.

It also included the Beagle desktop search tool,{{cite web|title=Novell Says Its Next Linux Desktop Will Surpass Windows|year=2005|url=http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Linux-and-Open-Source/Novell-Says-Its-Next-Linux-Desktop-Will-Surpass-Windows/|author=Peter Galli|publisher=eWeek|access-date=2009-01-02}} similar to Spotlight in Mac OS X v10.4. The Xgl+Compiz support enables a variety of advanced graphical effects in the user interface, such as "application tiling" (similar to Exposé). Other features include making it easier for Linux beginners to connect digital cameras to the computer and play audio files such as MP3s using Helix Banshee. The version of GNOME included this release was highly customized, and debuted the slab application menu on a one panel layout. SLED 10 was originally released June 17, 2006. The last service pack for SLED 10 was Service Pack 4, released April 15, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.novell.com/support/kb/doc.php?id=7008364|title=Support {{!}} Availability of SLES10 SP4 for Novell Open Enterprise Server 2 (OES2) customers|website=www.novell.com|access-date=2018-07-25|archive-date=2018-07-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725063428/https://www.novell.com/support/kb/doc.php?id=7008364|url-status=live}}

;SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11

SLED 11, based on openSUSE 11.1, was released March 24, 2009. It included an upgrade to GNOME and was the first release to ship KDE 4, with version 4.1.3. Several improvements were made to improve Microsoft Active Directory and Microsoft Exchange Server integration, and the Novell OpenOffice.org version was upgraded to version 3.0. SLED continued to include some proprietary components such as Adobe Flash, as well as open-source implementations of closed sourced plugins and runtimes such as Moonlight and Mono.{{cite news|url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2597799/linux/novell-s-suse-linux-enterprise-desktop-11--a-true-windows-replacement.html|title=Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11: A true Windows replacement|last=Vaughan-Nichols|first=Steven J.|work=Computerworld|access-date=2018-07-26|language=en|archive-date=2018-07-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726105047/https://www.computerworld.com/article/2597799/linux/novell-s-suse-linux-enterprise-desktop-11--a-true-windows-replacement.html|url-status=live}}

Four service packs were released for SLED 11, with Service Pack 2 notably bringing BtrFS commercial support to the enterprise Linux market and including the snapper tool to manage BtrFS snapshots. The most current service pack, SP 4, was released July 17, 2015.

;SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 12

On October 28, 2014, SUSE (now an independent business unit) released SLED 12 built on openSUSE 13.1. SLED 12 introduced several new technological upgrades, including systemd, GNOME 3, GRUB 2, plymouth, and the in-house built wicked wireless network manager. SLED 12 also included further stability and integration with BtrFS. With the transition to GNOME 3, the GNOME Classic Shell, the vanilla GNOME Shell, and a SLE Classic Shell with a design that more closely mimics the slab layout were included. KDE, the default desktop environment in openSUSE, and support for 32-bit x86 processors were dropped from the enterprise distribution.{{cite web|url=http://www.admin-magazine.com/Archive/2014/24/Up-close-with-SUSE-Linux-Enterprise-12|title=SLE 12 » ADMIN Magazine|last=Loschwitz|first=Martin|website=ADMIN Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-26|archive-date=2015-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110121720/http://www.admin-magazine.com/Archive/2014/24/Up-close-with-SUSE-Linux-Enterprise-12|url-status=live}}

SLE 12 Service Pack 1 was the first to be the basis for openSUSE's more conservative Leap series, with openSUSE Leap 42.1 sharing its codebase with SLE 12 SP 1. Leap 42.2 and 42.3 were built from the same codebase as SLE 12 SP 2 and SLE SP 3 respectively. SLED 12's underlying base, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12, was the first version of SLE to be offered on the Microsoft Store to be run on the Windows Subsystem for Linux.{{cite web|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/suse-linux-enterprise-server-12/9p32mwbh6cns|title=Get SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 - Microsoft Store|website=Microsoft Store|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-26|archive-date=2018-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713231931/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/suse-linux-enterprise-server-12/9p32mwbh6cns|url-status=live}}

;SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15

SLE skipped over versions 13 and 14, realigning the versions of openSUSE Leap and SLE at version 15. SLE 15 was released June 25, 2018 with the same codebase as openSUSE Leap 15.0. SLED 15 included major upgrades to GNOME 3.26, LibreOffice 6.0, GCC 7 and LTS kernel version 4.12. Version 15 also made the Wayland implementation of GNOME the default. SLES and SLED can now also be installed from the same media. SLED 15 offers the same GNOME Desktop options as SLED 12.{{cite web|url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLED/15/|title=Release Notes {{!}} SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 GA|website=www.suse.com|language=en|access-date=2018-07-26|archive-date=2018-07-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726072056/https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLED/15/|url-status=live}}

SLE 15 SP 1 shares a common codebase with openSUSE Leap 15.1. SLE 15 SP 1 includes improvements to the ability to migrate from openSUSE Leap to SLE, increased 64-bit Arm System on a Chip (SoC) supported processor options, transactional updates, and various other features.{{cite web|url=https://www.suse.com/c/news/suse-provides-platform-for-cloud-native-containerized-applications-as-enterprises-move-to-hybrid-and-multi-cloud/|title=SUSE Provides Platform for Cloud-Native, Containerized Applications as Enterprises Move to Hybrid and Multi-Cloud|date=June 24, 2019|access-date=August 7, 2021|archive-date=July 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708093114/https://www.suse.com/c/news/suse-provides-platform-for-cloud-native-containerized-applications-as-enterprises-move-to-hybrid-and-multi-cloud/|url-status=live}}

SLE 15 SP 3 features a unified repository with same source code and binary packages with openSUSE Leap 15.3.{{Cite web|last=Pfeifer|first=Gerald|date=2021-03-03|title=Closing the Leap Gap|url=https://www.suse.com/c/closing-the-leap-gap-src/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=SUSE Communities|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211005138/https://www.suse.com/c/closing-the-leap-gap-src/|url-status=live}}

=People=

Novell's effort on SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 was led by Nat Friedman, one of the two founders of Ximian. Nat was aided by a host of former Ximian and SUSE developers, with product manager Guy Lunardi and engineering manager Kelli Frame.

=Derivatives=

{{See also|SUSE Studio#Notable appliances|SUSE Linux#Notable appliances|List of Linux distributions#SLE-based}}

Through [https://studioexpress.opensuse.org/ SUSE Studio Express], users can create custom appliances based on SUSE Linux Distributions including SLED. Options for SLE allow for the creation of derivative distributions as custom Kiwi and docker containers with customized package choices and configuration parameters.

Unique Features

;YaST Control Center

YaST is the primary configuration tool in the SUSE Linux distributions, including SLED. YaST is an installation and administration program which can handle hard disk partitioning, system setup, RPM package management, online updates, network and firewall configuration, user administration and more in an integrated interface consisting of various modules for each administrative task.

{{Gallery|File:YaST2 graphical mode screenshot.png|Graphical user interface|File:YaST2_ncurses_mode_screenshot.png|Text mode user interface|align=center|title=YaST's user interfaces}}

;SUSE Package Hub

SUSE Package Hub gives SLE users the option to install packages that are not an official part of the SUSE Linux Enterprise distribution or are more up to date than those included with the latest version of SLE. SUSE Package Hub is unofficial, and the software installed from its repositories does not receive commercial support from SUSE. Currently about 9,000 packages are available from SUSE Package Hub for SLE 12 and 15 with packages available for AArch64, ppc64le, s390x, and x86-64.{{cite web|url=https://packagehub.suse.com/package-hub-faq/|title=SUSE Package Hub - FAQ|website=packagehub.suse.com|access-date=2019-06-10|archive-date=2018-06-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623093238/https://packagehub.suse.com/package-hub-faq/|url-status=live}}

End-of-support schedule

Legacy versions of SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLES 9 and 10) had a ten year product lifecycle. Newer versions have a thirteen year product lifecycle (SLES 11, 12, and 15). The current support model consists of 10 years of general support from time of First Customer Shipment (FCS), followed by 3 years of Long Term Service Pack Support (LTSS), and 3 years more of LTSS Core.

Version history

Release dates of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server versions:{{cite web | url=http://support.novell.com/lifecycle/ | title=Novell Support Lifecycle | access-date=2011-08-11 | archive-date=1999-02-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990222125519/http://support.novell.com/lifecycle/ | url-status=live }}

class="wikitable"
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server Version ! Revision ! Release Date ! Notes
rowspan="2"\| first \| S/390 \| October 31, 2000
Sparc and IA-32 \| April 2001{{cite press release \|url=http://www.suse.de/en/news/PressReleases/enterprise_server.html \|title=SuSE Linux Enterprise Server Now Available \|publisher=SuSE \|date=2001-03-24 \|access-date=2017-06-21 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010627051050/http://www.suse.de/en/news/PressReleases/enterprise_server.html \|archive-date=June 27, 2001 }}
\| 7 \| Initial release \| October 13, 2001 \| For the first time, a common codebase is used for all architectures (IA-32, Itanium, iSeries and pSeries, S/390 and zSeries 31-bit, zSeries 64-bit)
rowspan="6"\| 8{{Cite web \|url=https://wiki.microfocus.com/index.php/Kernel_versions \|title=kernel in SLES \|access-date=2016-02-26 \|archive-date=2020-08-07 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807192009/https://wiki.microfocus.com/index.php/Kernel_versions \|url-status=dead }} \| Initial release \| October 2002
SP1 \|
SP2 \|
SP2a \|
SP3 \|
SP4 \|
rowspan="5"\| 9 \| Initial release \| August 3, 2004
SP1 \| January 19, 2005
SP2 \| July 7, 2005
SP3 \| December 22, 2005
SP4 \| December 12, 2007
rowspan="5" \| 10 \| Initial release \| June 17, 2006
SP1 \| June 18, 2007
SP2 \| May 19, 2008
SP3 \| October 12, 2009
SP4 \| April 12, 2011
rowspan="5" \| 11 \| Initial release \| March 24, 2009
SP1 \| June 2, 2010
SP2 \| February 15, 2012
SP3 \| July 1, 2013
SP4 \| July 16, 2015
rowspan="6" \| 12 \| Initial release \| October 27, 2014{{Cite web \| url=https://www.suse.com/company/press/2014/10/suse-linux-enterprise-12-now-available.html \| title=SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 Now Available \| access-date=2014-11-30 \| archive-date=2014-10-27 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027194727/https://www.suse.com/company/press/2014/10/suse-linux-enterprise-12-now-available.html \| url-status=live }}
SP1 \| December 15, 2015
SP2 \| November 11, 2016
SP3 \| September 7, 2017
SP4 \| December 11, 2018{{Cite web \| url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/12-SP4/ \| title=Release Notes \| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP4 \| access-date=2019-01-21 \| archive-date=2019-01-22 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122043936/https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/12-SP4/ \| url-status=live }}
SP5 \| December 9, 2019{{Cite web \| url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/12-SP5/ \| title=Release Notes \| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP5 \| access-date=2019-12-12 \| archive-date=2019-12-12 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212200629/https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/12-SP5/ \| url-status=live }}
rowspan="7" \| 15 \| Initial release \| July 16, 2018 \| Versions 13 and 14 did not have server releases
SP1 \| June 24, 2019{{Cite web \| url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP1/ \| title=Release Notes \| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1 \| access-date=2020-07-17 \| archive-date=2019-05-24 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524091610/https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP1/ \| url-status=live }}
SP2 \| July 21, 2020{{Cite web \| url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP2/ \| title=Release Notes \| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP2 \| access-date=2020-07-21 \| archive-date=2020-06-24 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624093643/https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP2/ \| url-status=live }}
SP3 \| June 23, 2021{{Cite web \| url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP3/ \|title = Release Notes \| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP3}}
SP4 \| June 24, 2022{{Cite web \| url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP4/ \|title = Release Notes \| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP4}}
SP5 \| June 20, 2023{{Cite web \| url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP5/ \|title = Release Notes \| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP5}}
SP6 \| June 26, 2024{{Cite web \| url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP6/ \|title = Release Notes \| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP6}}

class="wikitable"

SuSE Linux Enterprise
Server Version

! Revision

! Release Date

! Notes

rowspan="2"| first

| S/390

| October 31, 2000

Sparc and IA-32

| April 2001{{cite press release |url=http://www.suse.de/en/news/PressReleases/enterprise_server.html |title=SuSE Linux Enterprise Server Now Available |publisher=SuSE |date=2001-03-24 |access-date=2017-06-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010627051050/http://www.suse.de/en/news/PressReleases/enterprise_server.html |archive-date=June 27, 2001 }}

| 7

| Initial release

| October 13, 2001

| For the first time, a common codebase is used for all architectures (IA-32,
Itanium, iSeries and pSeries, S/390 and zSeries 31-bit, zSeries 64-bit)

rowspan="6"| 8{{Cite web |url=https://wiki.microfocus.com/index.php/Kernel_versions |title=kernel in SLES |access-date=2016-02-26 |archive-date=2020-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807192009/https://wiki.microfocus.com/index.php/Kernel_versions |url-status=dead }}

| Initial release

| October 2002

SP1

SP2

SP2a

SP3

SP4

rowspan="5"| 9

| Initial release

| August 3, 2004

SP1

| January 19, 2005

SP2

| July 7, 2005

SP3

| December 22, 2005

SP4

| December 12, 2007

rowspan="5" | 10

| Initial release

| June 17, 2006

SP1

| June 18, 2007

SP2

| May 19, 2008

SP3

| October 12, 2009

SP4

| April 12, 2011

rowspan="5" | 11

| Initial release

| March 24, 2009

SP1

| June 2, 2010

SP2

| February 15, 2012

SP3

| July 1, 2013

SP4

| July 16, 2015

rowspan="6" | 12

| Initial release

| October 27, 2014{{Cite web | url=https://www.suse.com/company/press/2014/10/suse-linux-enterprise-12-now-available.html | title=SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 Now Available | access-date=2014-11-30 | archive-date=2014-10-27 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027194727/https://www.suse.com/company/press/2014/10/suse-linux-enterprise-12-now-available.html | url-status=live }}

SP1

| December 15, 2015

SP2

| November 11, 2016

SP3

| September 7, 2017

SP4

| December 11, 2018{{Cite web | url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/12-SP4/ | title=Release Notes | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP4 | access-date=2019-01-21 | archive-date=2019-01-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122043936/https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/12-SP4/ | url-status=live }}

SP5

| December 9, 2019{{Cite web | url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/12-SP5/ | title=Release Notes | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP5 | access-date=2019-12-12 | archive-date=2019-12-12 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212200629/https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/12-SP5/ | url-status=live }}

rowspan="7" | 15

| Initial release

| July 16, 2018

| Versions 13 and 14 did not have server releases

SP1

| June 24, 2019{{Cite web | url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP1/ | title=Release Notes | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1 | access-date=2020-07-17 | archive-date=2019-05-24 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524091610/https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP1/ | url-status=live }}

SP2

| July 21, 2020{{Cite web | url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP2/ | title=Release Notes | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP2 | access-date=2020-07-21 | archive-date=2020-06-24 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624093643/https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP2/ | url-status=live }}

SP3

| June 23, 2021{{Cite web | url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP3/ |title = Release Notes | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP3}}

SP4

| June 24, 2022{{Cite web | url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP4/ |title = Release Notes | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP4}}

SP5

| June 20, 2023{{Cite web | url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP5/ |title = Release Notes | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP5}}

SP6

| June 26, 2024{{Cite web | url=https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SUSE-SLES/15-SP6/ |title = Release Notes | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP6}}

References

External links

{{URL | https://www.suse.com/products/server/ | SUSE Linux Enterprise Server product page}}
{{URL | https://www.suse.com/products/desktop/ | SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop product page}}
[https://www.suse.com/c/blog/ SUSE blog]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20060104183404/http://www.novell.com/success/whitfield_school.html Example story of SLED 10 use in an educational environment]
[https://www.osnews.com/story/8829/interview-with-novells-ted-haeger/ Interview with Novell's Ted Haeger on NLD]
[https://archive.today/20130122135824/http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1778076,00.asp News about the next Novell Linux Desktop]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080725060409/http://desktoplinux.com/news/NS8193213538.html Novell aims rebranded SUSE Linux 10 at enterprise desktops] - DesktopLinux.com news item about upcoming SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10

Category:Enterprise Linux distributions

Category:ARM Linux distributions

Category:Linux distributions

Category:Linux distributions used in appliances

Category:Power ISA Linux distributions

Category:RPM-based Linux distributions

Category:SUSE Linux

Category:X86-64 Linux distributions