Rekha Pawar - PeerSpot reviewer
System Administrator at Qatar University
Real User
Oracle Linux is stable, easy to back up, and easy to maintain
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution has zero downtime and is easy to optimize right out of the box."
  • "I would like Oracle Linux to have more frequent updates."

What is our primary use case?

We deploy the OS and prepare the VM, then give it to the development for the application users to use. It is the base that we create, depending on requirements, on how many CPUs or how much memory is required.

What is most valuable?

Oracle Linux is stable, easy to back up, and easy to maintain.

The solution has zero downtime and is easy to optimize right out of the box.

Troubleshooting the solution is simple.

What needs improvement?

I would like Oracle Linux to have more frequent updates.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for five years.

Buyer's Guide
Oracle Linux
April 2024
Learn what your peers think about Oracle Linux. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2024.
768,740 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable. We make a copy of the request and keep it so that we can modify the scale of the solution as needed.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support is absolutely good, there are no issues.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is easy. 
Depending on the requirements of the prerequisites, which we have. The deployment doesn't take us more than two to three hours.

What about the implementation team?

The implementation was completed in-house.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

The majority of our evaluated solutions were Red Hat Linux.

What other advice do I have?

I give the solution a nine out of ten.

We need an OS admin, and VM admin to clearly apply, install the solution and verify it according to the prerequisites we have, which are given to us by the application owners. Two, or three people are enough to deploy and maintain the solution.

We only have to deploy the solution and the system is used by all the students and faculty of the university.

I recommend Oracle Linux to new users.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Daniel_Nemethy - PeerSpot reviewer
Owner at Nemethy Moderato Kft
Real User
Top 5
Useful workflow system, beneficial cloud computing capabilities, and effortless setup
Pros and Cons
  • "When it comes to my favorite features of Oracle Linux, I have been impressed with its ability to facilitate a smooth and efficient workflow system. This system is responsible for gathering data from multiple cameras and transferring this information to the backend systems. The system comprises around 10 to 12 servers, all of which are integrated into a highly reliable and redundant cluster setup. Currently, we are using Red Hat Linux for our production needs, however, we have plans to switch over to Oracle Linux in the near future. The reason for this change is due to the specialized nature of our system which precludes the use of cloud computing capabilities."
  • "What can improve in the solution is a rather challenging question given that Oracle is pushing towards cloud computing and the closed nature of the system. Maintaining Oracle Linux behind a firewall can be a cumbersome process, as it requires manual intervention to copy repositories and obtain approval from internal authorities. With the current emphasis on cloud computing, the support and development of traditional, closed systems like Oracle Linux may not receive as much attention, leading to potential limitations in the system's capabilities and performance."

What is our primary use case?

We are using Oracle Linux for supporting traffic surveillance in Hungary.

What is most valuable?

When it comes to my favorite features of Oracle Linux, I have been impressed with its ability to facilitate a smooth and efficient workflow system. This system is responsible for gathering data from multiple cameras and transferring this information to the backend systems. The system comprises around 10 to 12 servers, all of which are integrated into a highly reliable and redundant cluster setup. Currently, we are using Red Hat Linux for our production needs, however, we have plans to switch over to Oracle Linux in the near future. The reason for this change is due to the specialized nature of our system which precludes the use of cloud computing capabilities.

What needs improvement?

What can improve in the solution is a rather challenging question given that Oracle is pushing towards cloud computing and the closed nature of the system. Maintaining Oracle Linux behind a firewall can be a cumbersome process, as it requires manual intervention to copy repositories and obtain approval from internal authorities. With the current emphasis on cloud computing, the support and development of traditional, closed systems like Oracle Linux may not receive as much attention, leading to potential limitations in the system's capabilities and performance.

My aim is to be in control of the automation process of Oracle Linux, as it holds immense significance for my current work. However, to request that the traditional methods of operation be maintained, as not everyone has the means or access to utilize the public cloud for their services. This is particularly true in my case, where I am operating within a closed system, which is protected by a state firewall and lacks direct internet connectivity. Additionally, I have been unable to find a clear and comprehensive guide or roadmap that addresses how to effectively manage these types of scenarios, as my level of experience in this field is limited.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Oracle Linux for approximately one year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is indeed stable. After conducting a thorough evaluation and comparison between a Red Hat system and an Oracle Linux system, the kernel stability remains constant and unaltered. There was no observable difference in the stability between the two systems. Additionally, during the period of usage, no issues or problems regarding stability were encountered.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The number of users utilizing Oracle Linux within our organization is rather limited. This is due to the fact that the system operates in an autonomous manner, and primarily, it appears that only a maximum of one hundred individuals utilize the front-end component of the system.

At the current moment, there are no concrete plans to increase usage. This is due to the fact that the individuals responsible for utilizing the system are state-employed clerks and the organization has no intention of expanding its numbers. Instead, they have expressed interest in implementing automation as a means of streamlining the process, rather than increasing the number of personnel involved.

The solution can contain a substantial amount of data, it is not considered to be a true big data system. At present, there are no scalability issues to contend with as the system is not overburdened in terms of memory or processor capacity. The data is preserved in clusters that are connected through load balancing, and no quantization is currently being utilized. While it is possible that scalability may become a concern in the future, particularly if there is an increase in the number of connected devices, it is unlikely to be a pressing issue in the near term, perhaps two to three years down the line.

How are customer service and support?

I have not utilized the technical support offered by Oracle. Unfortunately, due to some unforeseen circumstances, my previous agent was not able to continue providing support, which resulted in me seeking support from the community instead of professional support. I highly recommend that Oracle invest in proper support services, however, at present, it is a challenge to persuade them to do so.

How was the initial setup?

The Oracle Linux setup process is simple and effortless to execute. The installation DVD is a great resource for those who want to verify their administrative privileges, as it is a straightforward and uncomplicated process. By downloading the DVD and utilizing it to install the software, one can ensure that it is installed in a seamless and convenient manner, with the strength and security of fiber and steel behind it. This makes the setup experience truly outstanding.

The deployment process took approximately one week to complete. The duration was due to the need for thorough checks and verifications of the sources behind the firewall, which required additional control measures. The Red Hat system that was previously used had not been properly maintained for the past five years, which caused some delays in the upgrade process to Oracle Linux. The upgrade involved significant changes to auxiliary systems, including the higher proxy and naming system, which added to the time taken to complete the deployment. Despite these challenges, the actual installation of Oracle Linux from scratch only took approximately one or two hours. The slow deployment process was not a result of the installation of Oracle Linux, but rather the previous maintenance issues and the need for thorough checks during the upgrade process.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others.

I am Oracle Linux a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Oracle Linux
April 2024
Learn what your peers think about Oracle Linux. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2024.
768,740 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Thomas Waltair - PeerSpot reviewer
Regional Head AND Director Product Development at Neptune Software Group
Vendor
Top 20
The vendor releases regular hot patches, so we don't have many difficulties.
Pros and Cons
  • "We don't have any failing cases. Oracle releases regular hot patches, so we don't have many difficulties."
  • "It could be easier to reach a higher support level."

What is our primary use case?

We use Oracle Linux to deploy our core banking product. Our client has nearly 1,000 concurrent users. 

How has it helped my organization?

We have an Oracle-based platform. For example, we use Oracle WebLogic for our application server and Oracle's enterprise database. We previously used SUSE Linux, but we were exposed to some vulnerabilities in SUSE Linux 9.10. Switching to the Oracle UX platform cut down on some of these vulnerability issues. All our Oracle applications like WebLogic and Oracle database sit perfectly on top of Oracle Linux. 

What is most valuable?

We don't have any failing cases. Oracle releases regular hot patches, so we don't have many difficulties. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used Oracle Linux for four years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We are in live banking production servers using Oracle Linux. 

Yes.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We are running in clusters, so Oracle Linux is scalable.

How are customer service and support?

We have a dedicated ticketing system based on severity. As an ISV partner for Oracle, we are okay with the support system. It could be easier to reach a higher support level. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

In the past, all our deployments were running on SUSE Linux. When Oracle Linux come into play, we took 90 percent of our deployment off of SUSE Linux because of the license cost and the vulnerability issues in the old versions. I hear that the latest SUSE Linux is doing well, but we stopped using it. The bottom line is that we believe that an Oracle operating system is better for Oracle products.

How was the initial setup?

Setting up Oracle Linux is straightforward. One person could handle it, and it took two or three days to deploy.

What about the implementation team?

We did everything in-house. 

What was our ROI?

The ROI is what we expected at the end of the day.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It's free to do development on Oracle Linux, but you need to pay a license for dedicated support. I think it's relatively cheap. 

What other advice do I have?

I rate Oracle Linux eight out of 10. On the surface, there isn't much difference between SUSE Linux and Oracle Linux, but Oracle's kernel is a little more powerful, and the operating system performs better when you are running their products. My advice to new users is to explore enterprise deployments on top of Oracle Linux that will give you the best result.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Gold Partners
PeerSpot user
RusiPopov - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Software Engineer at Paysafe
Real User
Provides a Good Stable Development Environment Without Needing Patches
Pros and Cons
  • "The graphical interface is fine. And the documentation is extremely valuable."
  • "The Oracle Linux graphical interface could be improved by fixing its occasional freezing on personal home laptops."

What is our primary use case?

We use the product in a development environment for development purposes only.

As a developer, I interact mostly with the product's shell. I'm experienced in programming in shell.

How has it helped my organization?

Oracle Linux in a VirtualBox provides a good, stable development environment without needing patches and with no hanging.  

What is most valuable?

The graphical interface is fine. And the documentation is extremely valuable. 

What needs improvement?

The Oracle Linux graphical interface could be improved by fixing its occasional freezing on personal home laptops. The Oracle Linux development environment in VirtualBox never freezes.

The service could also be improved if the cost of Oracle support was not so expensive.

For how long have I used the solution?

We've been using the product for more than a year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable.

How are customer service and support?

I have a free version of the product without support. So far, all the answers I've needed were in the extensive Oracle documentation.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Our previous development environment used to crash in the virtual machine; it was slower, not well integrated with Oracle VM Box, and the support was poor.

Before that, we used Windows 7, which crashed twice, forcing us to start everything from scratch. This is why we switched to Linux.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was straightforward, and deployment took less than an hour.

What other advice do I have?

We use the product as a virtual machine in a development environment for development purposes only. We still do not use Oracle Cloud. The company is oriented towards Amazon Web Services, but on Oracle Linux, we are playing with Kubernetes and Docker.

I don't use the Oracle Linux administrative dashboard.

The product is stable and up to date. The Linux command prompt is always the same. I just fit it, and it suits my needs. That's why I would recommend it.

I would rate Oracle Linux a nine out of ten.

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Other
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Kevin Honde - PeerSpot reviewer
Data Solution Architect at Econet Wireless Zimbabwe
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Easy to install, stable and scalable, with good support
Pros and Cons
  • "The good thing about Oracle Linux is that it's free, as long as you don't want support."
  • "They should increase security."

What is our primary use case?

We use this solution internally to develop our systems.

Our developers work in another section to develop the data center. We provide services to the developers and other business units.

What is most valuable?

It's a good product, and the areas to improve are quite limited.

The good thing about Oracle Linux is that it's free, as long as you don't want support. If you want the support you have to pay for it.

What needs improvement?

They don't provide updates.

It could be more secure. They should increase security.

Also, the scalability should be improved.

In the next release, I would like to see it more secure and more usable to adapt to the new technologies that are coming up.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for two years.

We are using the latest version. We are always updating.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's a very stable product.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's a scalable solution. It's basic Linux clustering and high availability. We have approximately 20 users in our organization.

Their support is quite good.

How are customer service and technical support?

We are satisfied with technical support. There is no need to be improved. There is no need to be faster, more knowledgeable, or customer friendly.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We also use SUSE Linux, Ubuntu Linux, CentOS, and Red Hat Linux.

How was the initial setup?

The installation is quite straightforward.

It takes about an hour to install.

We need a team of two people who concentrate on Oracle Linux.

What about the implementation team?

I am able to complete the installation myself.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Oracle Linux is free, you only pay for support.

If you don't want support you can fully pay for the enterprise solution.

It's cheaper than RedHat. Oracle support is a bit cheaper than Red Hat's support.

Oracle Linux is very cheap at this time. 

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others.

I would rate Oracle Linux and eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
it_user607413 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Oracle Database Consultant at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
ASMLib is pre-installed. All Red Hat-certified applications are also certified on this platform, by default.

What is most valuable?

As a DBA, I prefer Oracle Linux as it is fine tuned to run Oracle databases. I can easily install pre-requisite packages using pre-install rpms. ASMLib is pre-installed with Oracle Linux.

How has it helped my organization?

Most of the patches are publicly available and free via public repositories. Any application that is certified in Red Hat Enterprise Linux is certified in Oracle Linux by default, as they both share the same source code.

What needs improvement?

Desktop environments should be designed better. Red Hat Enterprise Linux's desktop environments are much better.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Oracle Linux for 3.5 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We have never had stability issues.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have not had scalability issues.

How are customer service and technical support?

Technical support gets 3.5/5.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I was using AIX, Solaris, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The main reason for switching was that Oracle Linux is much cheaper compared to Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

How was the initial setup?

Setup was straightforward.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Oracle Linux itself is free. But, if you need support, you need to purchase a support license. Following is the price range:

  • US$500 for a 2-socket server.
  • US$1600 for unlimited number of CPUs in a machine.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I have worked on AIX, Solaris, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

What other advice do I have?

The UEK kernel is optimized for Oracle databases, Oracle applications, and Oracle engineered systems. So, go for it.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Founder at Simpro Tech
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Secure, robust, and user-friendly
Pros and Cons
  • "Oracle is well-known for its strong security measures. I have a great deal of confidence in the security of the Oracle DB, including its ability to monitor changes made to the database."
  • "Pricing could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

Oracle DB is used in one of the use cases that you have worked on, specifically for the database aspect. It is likely that all of the solutions that have been deployed and are currently running use the Oracle database.

What is most valuable?

Oracle is well-known for its strong security measures. I have a great deal of confidence in the security of the Oracle DB, including its ability to monitor changes made to the database.

The interface is good.

What needs improvement?

Pricing could be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Oracle Linux for four years.

We are not working with the latest version.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would rate the stability a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Oracle is highly scalable.

In our company, we don't use it ourselves, but some of our clients have deployed it for their own use.

They have fifty users

The number of users increases as our clients open more branches in their network. As the number of branches grows, so does the number of clients and users utilizing the system.

How are customer service and support?

What makes technical support easier for us is that the Oracle DB is used for the CVS that is used. Therefore, the same person who provides support for Oracle is also able to provide support for CVS, which simplifies the process for us.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

At present, we are not as closely associated with Process Maker as we are with Microsoft and IBM. This is because many of our clients also use SharePoint and Office 365.

I am currently in the process of learning more about SharePoint myself. While I have some experience with the design aspect, I am trying to improve my skills and knowledge in this area through training and practice.

In the past, we used Microsoft technology, but we made the switch to Oracle due to its superior security and robustness.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup process can be challenging and not particularly straightforward, but with effort and careful reading, it can be successfully achieved.

What about the implementation team?

The deployment was a team effort since it was a project being deployed for a client.

During the deployment, we had a project manager on-site who provided guidance on the steps involved in the process, particularly with regard to migrating from an Oracle environment.

The most significant challenge we encountered during the deployment was data migration from the old platform, which was an SQL version. Data cleanup was also a time-consuming issue that we faced. However, once the data had been cleaned and set up properly, the rest of the process became much easier.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We pay an annual subscription.

When it comes to budgeting, it is easier to plan for a new subscription because you can allocate a specific budget for it.

What other advice do I have?

I would highly recommend this solution.

I would rate Oracle Linux a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Devaiss Mohanty - PeerSpot reviewer
Premium Services Sales- CX Professional Services at Cisco
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Stable, scalable with good data download and upload features
Pros and Cons
  • "It is a stable solution with a secure operating system."
  • "It will be better to consolidate all the features in one release instead of sporadic releases."

What is our primary use case?

We use it on-premises because there is more data and then we download and upload it to the cloud. Customers are a little upset whenever they have to upload all the data to the cloud and they are also very specific. Whoever is working with us has the data on their systems.

What needs improvement?

We are not impacted by new releases, because whenever there is a new release, we are informed by our IT team and we prepare accordingly. However, if the number of releases is too frequent you begin to doubt the stability of the system even if it is stable. So if a new release is required, it will be better to consolidate all the features in one release instead of sporadic releases.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using this solution for ten years. It is deployed on-premises which is more secure. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is a stable solution with a secure operating system.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Oracle Linux is scalable because it allows for a hybrid cloud environment. We have more than 100,000 users in our company.

How are customer service and support?

Our IT team handles interactions with technical support, so we route everything through them. It has been smooth, and we have gotten some good responses, even over email.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I rate this solution a ten out of ten because I am happy with the platforms.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Oracle Linux Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: April 2024
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Oracle Linux Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.