Is Oracle Linux an Operating System???

The last 18 months have been a real trip as and we continue on the journey for embedding Oracle Linux and Oracle VM. It is a real blast when we can sit with an ISV and have a decent discussion about how to help them to improve their business, whether it is helping to bring stability to COGS, or to enable an ISV to improve their access to market and grow revenues.

From the many conversations, the single most common discussion I have with every ISV partner is centered on the debate of what Oracle Linux actually is. It comes as a big surprise when I suggest that Oracle Linux is not an operating system.

So have I gone mad???? ----NO!---I am not mad.

To make a general statement, the world quite often thinks Oracle Linux is just an operating system, so when selecting a Linux vendor Oracle is seen as just an operating system. The fact is, other vendors have done a great job of productizing the various software packages in the Linux world. We on the other hand, have to go into meetings and proceed to explain what we do.

SO WHAT IS ORACLE LINUX IF IT IS NOT AN OPERATING SYSTEM?????

Actually Oracle Linux is a Suite of Software Solutions. Included in Oracle Linux is certainly an operating system as you would expect. However Oracle Linux is much more. It is a program of open source, where included are software solutions which other vendors have chosen to productize and create SKU's, which help them generate revenue, where they charge you a separate fee for each package or module.

The Oracle Software Solutions Suite included in Oracle Linux includes the following examples of software packages;

1. Clustering solutions - Clusterware or Corosync/Pacemaker
2. Ksplice - Zero reboot patching
3. Kubernetes
4. Containers
5. Open Stack
6. KVM Virtualization
7. Gluster FS
8. Spacewalk - OS management

The list is endless and I am unable to mention all of them in this article. The point is, don't discount Oracle Linux for just an operating system. It is a complete stack of software solutions which is comparable to any major Linux vendor out there. The biggest difference is Oracle's attitude to this stack of open source software. We are here to help you enable your needs for an infrastructure or cloud stack. We are not here to maximize and squeeze every penny from you. We include all the value from all the software solutions for a single fair price point, which is very friendly to COGS and long term life cycle and cost stability of your software solution.

Oracle Linux - A very misunderstood GEM in Oracle's portfolio!

Oracle Linux is a much more viable option that you may not have considered as one of your top 3 choices when going through a selection process.

Mickey Bharat - Worldwide Leader Embedded ISV/OEM business.