9 reasons Linux is a popular choice for servers

For businesses and organizations that need reliable, secure servers to host data, applications, or services worldwide, Linux is often the platform of choice. Linux is a popular operating system because it is open-source, highly secure, and offers a lot of customization options, making it ideal for both personal and professional use.

Let’s learn what Linux is and some of the reasons why it’s such a popular option for setting up and maintaining servers, from emerging startups all the way to full enterprise deployments.

What is Linux?

Linux is an open-source operating system based on Unix known for its stability, security, and flexibility. It powers various devices, from personal computers and servers to smartphones. The kernel, the core component, manages hardware resources and facilitates software communication. Users can customize and distribute their own versions, called distributions, like Ubuntu and Fedora. Developers and system administrators favor Linux for its powerful command-line interface and extensive programming support.

Whether running dynamically scaled workloads in the cloud, creating private cloud infrastructure, or deploying bullet-proof web servers, Linux’s flexibility, scalability, and security make it an ideal choice. You can use it to build reliable, high-performance web servers or as the foundation for custom application development environments.

Based on UNIX principles, Linux offers efficient multitasking and supports multiple users, groups, and access control lists (ACLs). Popular distributions include Ubuntu, Suse, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, which provide extensive software libraries and security features.

Why is Linux so popular?

Linux’s popularity is due to its flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Many companies integrate Linux servers into their IT infrastructure across various environments, such as embedded systems, private clouds, and endpoint devices. Its open-source nature allows developers to customize their operating systems without vendor constraints.

Here are 9 reasons why Linux is a popular choice for servers:

1. Open-source nature and customization flexibility

Linux is open-source and free, allowing users to modify and distribute it as needed. Its flexibility and customization make it an ideal choice for server operational environments. For example, developers can access code repositories, modify source code, and build custom kernel versions.

In addition to adapting the kernel to specific needs, developers have access to a wide variety of software packages available with most Linux distributions. These packages can be used to add additional functionality or security features, such as firewalls or intrusion detection systems (IDS). Additionally, many distributions come with tools such as lshw (list hardware) and lspci (list devices), which allow administrators to view detailed information about the hardware and devices connected to the server.

Linux offers great customization and flexibility, allowing users to adapt solutions to their needs. Additionally, users can optimize Linux to enhance system performance for specific applications, ensuring that the system runs efficiently and effectively.

2. Range of applications and tools

Linux has become a popular choice for servers because its wide range of applications and tools allow users to customize and configure their systems to perform virtually any task. Linux is compatible with various hardware architectures and easily integrates numerous applications and services.

Linux is well-known for its compatibility and integration with various hardware and software platforms. This makes it ideal for server use; you can deploy it in almost any environment. It is also possible to install Linux on multiple hardware types, from laptops to the latest servers. 

The most common uses for Linux servers include web hosting, database management, file sharing, game servers, and virtualization—all of which require specific software packages or libraries to run correctly. Fortunately, Linux’s open-source nature makes it easy to find the necessary components for any type of application or use case, reducing the need to purchase expensive commercial software.

In addition to its vast array of applications and tools, Linux offers an impressive range of user-friendly features that make it a great choice for administrators who want to manage their server environment easily. For example, administrators can leverage projects like Terraform or Ansible to manage large numbers of Linux servers or VMs all at once. Rather than logging in to each system and configuring them individually, the Linux ecosystem makes it easy to deploy and configure environments through repeatable, automated actions.

3. Enhanced security

Built from the ground up with security in mind, Linux has numerous features that make it difficult to breach. A critical security feature is access control capability, which allows admins to set permissions and restrictions on user accounts and files. For example, administrators can set read-only or write-only access rights for users to prevent unauthorized programs from executing on their servers.

Additionally, Linux supports multiple authentication methods, such as username/password combinations, smart cards, biometrics, and digital certificates. These methods provide an extra layer of protection by verifying each user’s identity before granting access to data and resources.

The open-source nature of Linux means that anyone can find, report, or fix a security issue. This is in major contrast to proprietary systems like Windows, where you’re mostly at the vendor’s mercy to identify and fix bugs before hackers find them and use them maliciously.

Linux source code is public, meaning anyone can check their developers’ work to see if they left a door open for hackers. Because of this, Linux is generally seen as more secure than Windows and other proprietary operating systems.

Linux stands out for its lower number of security vulnerabilities than other operating systems, making it a preferred choice for many users and organizations seeking a robust and reliable platform. The Linux community and developers are also dedicated to maintaining a secure environment by providing frequent updates and patches. These regular security updates ensure that any emerging threats are quickly addressed, protecting and securing the system.

4. High stability and reliability

Due to its outstanding reliability, Linux can run for extended periods without needing reboots, making it a popular choice for server operating systems. It’s also incredibly secure and stable, making it well-suited for mission-critical tasks. Linux’s robust open-source codebase and highly active development community mean bugs can quickly be identified and patched. Additionally, many available packages make tools easily accessible to complete the tasks at hand.

Long-term support (LTS) versions of Linux distributions allow users to upgrade reliably without worrying about compatibility issues. Many companies provide dedicated LTS versions explicitly designed for use as servers, with guaranteed support and security updates for up to five years or more.

Linux efficiently manages resources, providing stable and consistent performance. Its robust design ensures system resources are utilized optimally, resulting in reliable and smooth operation even under demanding conditions. This consistent performance makes Linux an ideal choice for both servers and desktop environments.

5. Community support and resources

Linux is widely used as a server operating system due to its robust community support and resources. Support includes user forums, online knowledge bases, live chat help desks, and detailed tutorials.

Linux users benefit from the abundance of dedicated forums. They are filled with experienced professionals eager to help those having trouble with setup or have questions regarding configuration options. Many forums offer personalized advice and general information on topics ranging from hardware compatibility to troubleshooting common issues. Community-driven development ensures that Linux receives regular updates and new features, enhancing functionality and security.

6. Cost-effectiveness compared to proprietary software

You can use Linux to run mission-critical applications while still being affordable. In most cases, you can save money on licensing fees because Linux requires fewer resources than other operating systems. Linux is cheaper because there are no license fees unless you’re paying for RHEL or Oracle. However, it’s important to note that it can require more advanced years than other licensed and supported operating systems.

Linux offers a lower total cost of ownership due to reduced software and support costs over time. Its open-source nature eliminates the need for expensive licensing fees, and the robust support from the Linux community minimizes the need for costly external support services. 

7. Scalability for handling large amounts of data and traffic

Linux is highly scalable, making it an ideal platform for servers that handle large amounts of data and traffic. It can run hundreds of services simultaneously and can be configured to provide elastic responses that match the user’s demand. This scalability extends to more than hardware—Linux can scale across multiple systems for added efficiency and flexibility. It offers advanced features like virtualization and fault tolerance to ensure business continuity. 

Scaling Linux is easy and seamless. It runs exceptionally well on both physical and virtual machines and can easily handle large loads while maintaining availability and uptime. This makes it ideal for applications that require reliability, such as web hosting and database management.

Linux also offers cutting-edge features for developers, like the eBPF virtual machine and io_uring, which allow developers to track kernel events and perform I/O operations more efficiently. Linux’s stability makes it perfectly suited for mission-critical applications when reliability is crucial. Many users rely on eBPF and robust “user mode” protections to ensure errors or failures don’t affect the entire system. Containers and VMs also exist to further isolate what the kernel and userspace cannot isolate.

8. Compatibility with modern DevOps practices and configuration management

Linux is an important part of modern DevOps practices. Many businesses use it to streamline their software development and deployment processes. With containerization technologies like Docker and orchestration tools like Kubernetes, Linux provides a platform for these tools to operate efficiently. Its lightweight and modular architecture allows for continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, enabling rapid development cycles and more efficient management of infrastructure as code (IaC).

Linux’s high compatibility with configuration management tools such as Ansible, Puppet, Chef, and SaltStack ensures efficient and scalable infrastructure management. These tools allow administrators to automate server provisioning, configuration, and management, creating consistency and reducing the potential for human error.

For instance, Ansible uses simple YAML files to describe automation jobs, which you can execute on any Linux machine without requiring a special agent. Puppet provides a more comprehensive framework with a declarative language that allows administrators to define the desired state of their infrastructure. 

9. Support for visualization

Linux excels in virtualization, offering various tools and technologies to create and manage virtual environments. Virtualization allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine, optimizing resource utilization and reducing hardware costs. Tools like KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine), QEMU, and Xen enable the creation of virtual machines (VMs) with high performance and security.

Linux’s built-in support for these virtualization technologies ensures efficient resource allocation and management, making it a preferred choice for hosting multiple servers on a single physical host. Additionally, Linux containers (LXC) and containerization platforms like Docker offer lightweight alternatives to traditional VMs, providing isolated environments for applications with minimal overhead. This versatility in virtualization supports diverse use cases, from development and testing to production workloads, making Linux an ideal choice for scalable and cost-effective server solutions.

Conclusion

Linux has grown incredibly popular, as evidenced by its widespread use in web hosting services, cloud computing solutions, home routers, IoT devices, TVs, cars, refrigerators, and anything else with a computer that isn’t a Windows or Mac desktop or laptop. Its lightweight design enables it to consume fewer resources while providing powerful performance levels, which are ideal for server tasks like database management or application hosting.

If you’re considering using Linux for your servers, these seven reasons provide a great starting point to help you decide if it’s right for your business. From security and stability to flexibility and affordability, there are many compelling reasons to give Linux a try.

Security features comparison chart

Linux FAQs

How much control do users have over their Linux systems?

Linux gives users a lot of control over their systems. Users can choose how their Linux system looks and works, from the desktop environment to the core system settings. They can also customize security settings, install the software they want, and tweak the system’s performance. Unlike other operating systems with restrictions, Linux lets users manage and modify their systems as they see fit. This flexibility is beneficial for advanced users and IT professionals who need a high level of customization.

How do I troubleshoot and fix boot issues in Linux?

Various factors, such as corrupted boot loader configurations or faulty hardware, can cause boot issues in Linux. Common steps to troubleshoot boot issues include checking the boot loader configuration file (such as GRUB), running filesystem checks using commands like fsck, and examining system logs located in the /var/log directory for errors.

How do I handle file permission and ownership issues in Linux?

File permission and ownership issues can lead to access problems. To troubleshoot, use the ls -l command to check the current permissions and ownership of files and directories. Modify permissions with chmod and change ownership with chown. Ensure that users and groups have access rights to the required files appropriately.

What should I do if my Linux server is running out of memory?

If your Linux server is running out of memory, you can troubleshoot by identifying memory-intensive processes using commands like top, htop, or free. Check for memory leaks or misconfigured applications that consume excessive memory. The Out-Of-Memory (OOM) killer may also come into play, terminating processes to free up memory. Additionally, optimizing your system by adjusting swap space and configuring memory limits for applications can help. Monitoring tools like vmstat and sar provide insights into memory usage patterns. Start monitoring your Linux systems with LogicMonitor and gain valuable insights into their performance.

Contact us today and see how our comprehensive platform can help you optimize your Linux environment. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take control of your IT operations and stay ahead of the competition with LogicMonitor!