Business Class (SLES & NLD) Vs. Consumer Class (SUSE Linux)
Novell Cool Solutions: Tip
By Rick Holzer
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Posted: 5 Dec 2005 |
The initial differences between SUSE Linux (previously called SUSE Linux Professional) and Novell Linux Desktop (NLD) / SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) are listed here:
http://www.novell.com/products/suselinux/comparative.html
Effectively, NLD and SLES have a long life cycle of seven years, which is guaranteed. While SUSE Linux has a short life cycle where we offer a "tradition" (not a guarantee) of security fixes for two years.
Because of this long life cycle, software vendors and hardware vendors will certify their SUSE Linux products against SLES and NLD, which is not done for SUSE Linux. Furthermore, Novell will not open a support ticket on SUSE Linux for the same reason.
Other differences include:
Package Contents
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NLD: http://www.novell.com/products/linuxpackages/desktop/index_group.html
vs
- NLD is a sub set of SUSE Linux. NLD does not include any server packages.
- NLD and SLES do not include any beta packages.
- NLD is better integrated than SUSE Linux. An example would be that when one clicks on a link in an email in NLD, the appropriate application will open for that link. This can be done with SUSE Linux, but you have to set it up.
- SLES is a subset of SUSE Linux. SLES does not include any desktop productivity packages, just server packages.
- SLES is refined to meet ISV certification requirements, as well as has minor addons such as an LDAP configuration module in YaST.
SUSE Linux: http://www.novell.com/products/linuxpackages/professional/index_group.html
SLES: http://www.novell.com/products/linuxenterpriseserver/packages.html
OpenSUSE.org SUSE Linux has the same security fixes as the purchased version of SUSE Linux, but it is lacking the following:
- 300 pages of printed manuals
- A registration key entitling the registrant to Free Installation Support
- 100's of additional packages that are not included with OpenSUSE that are listed here
- Any and all closed sourced packages, most importantly Java. Though the closed source packages that are not included in OpenSUSE can be freely accessed from their respective developers.
Reader Comments
- A nice, concise summary
- Perfect timing. I was trying to explain the diffs between OSS and SLES to a business partner just last week. I sent him the link.
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