SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 Released

Barondude writes "For the SUSE lovers out there... SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 was released today. Evaluation versions of SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 for x86, AMD64 and Intel EM64T are available as free downloads from novell.com."

Comments

Re:Evaluation versions?

[Proteus]

Linux evaluation versions usually lack (or limit access to) key proprietary features. RedHat evaluations, for example, used to allow only short-term access to the RedHat Network (now, you fill out a survey on occasion to renew your access).

Also, some Linux evaluation versions run from CD, and therefore don't have any installer or package manager. It all depends. However, rest assured that while it is possible to get an evaluation distro to run as almost-like-the-real-thing, you'd likely invest more in time than it costs to just buy the full, supported version.

In this case, as the Novell website says:

Check out this free 30-day evaluation of SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 complete with 30 days of free support & maintenance.(SLES 9 Evaluation Details)

In short, you need a serial number to get any updates from SuSE/Novell, or use any support.

While it is certainly possible to update software oneself, in a corporate environment, the convenience of having someone else (SuSE/Novell) verify (check signatures, review code, etc.) and distribute updates is well worth the cost of purchase.