Matthew Ramsey| Business2community
The choice of infrastructure is important for success with any cloud deployment. If your enterprise is considering a move to the cloud or has already done so, chances are a Linux server will be or has been used. In fact, Linux is a growing entity in the cloud market. An annual survey conducted by The Linux Foundation concluded that 76% of organizations queried are now using Linux servers as part of their cloud infrastructure.
In addition, 74% of companies in the survey say they are planning to implement a cloud deployment using the platform, or plan to continue using Linux or increase its scope within the enterprise.
Over 1,200 companies were queried in the organization’s 2013 Enterprise End User Report. It is the third such annual survey conducted on the topic, and identifies a solid trend of enterprises adopting Linux as a medium for their cloud deployments. The platform has seen a 12.7% year-over-year growth during the first quarter of 2013, while server revenue overall has grown at a mere 3.1%. In addition, The Linux Foundation reports a significant increase in training program enrollment, participants in the community, and enterprise customers.
Linux has become a growing influence on the enterprise cloud computing market for several reasons.
- Number one is its technical capacity for integrating with the enterprise network. The operating system can function at top performance even in cases the workload is unusually high, no matter how many users are logged on. It also remains stable all the while. Slow downs and memory leaks are not a problem, even if the system is kept active for as long as a year at a time. This makes it ideal for running servers even in remote locations. Network backups and Internet use can be managed efficiently, while cost-effective cloud deployments are easier to manage since Linux can be configured by installing only necessary components.
- The cost of Linux is much lower than other operating systems because your organization does not need a license. You can start using it immediately, while various free software resources compatible with the publicly available system are available. At the same time, your IT department is guided by simple installation and setup programs. User-friendly tools eliminate the need to bring in extra IT personnel or spend additional money on outside support. The amount of time it takes to get the system going is also much less.
- Another main advantage of Linux is the security. It is widely considered to be one of the most secure operating systems, with configuration aided by “walls” and integrated file access permission tools. Specialized software applications are featured in online repositories guaranteeing safety, with the risk of intrusions, viruses, and other threats minimized during installation, configuration, and daily use.
Many cloud applications are included in the roster of compatible software, such as Red Hat JBoss Application Server and others. These make Linux perfectly suited for enterprises looking for a convenient, secure, and inexpensive cloud deployment. The growing number of businesses is proof that the operating system is the right choice. Your enterprise will most likely benefit from going in this direction if your IT team hasn’t already considered or implemented the open source, secure, and technically remarkable Linux system.
