Linux in the data centre: RHEL, Ubuntu LTS and Debian

In short: On servers stability and predictability count more than the newest. That is why companies rely on distributions with long support: RHEL and its relatives, Ubuntu LTS and Debian.

What servers want differently

1. Long support with security updates for many years without behaviour changing.
2. Predictable versions: small fixes instead of new features (release models).
3. Certified hardware and software, vendor support.
4. Security features such as SELinux and AppArmor.

The big ones

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL): commercial with paid support, up to ten years per major version. Packages with dnf/RPM, see dnf and rpm. Rebuilds: Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux (free, binary-near).
• Ubuntu Server LTS: every two years an LTS version with five years of standard updates (extendable with a paid offer). Very common in the cloud.
• Debian Stable: very conservative and reliable, around three years of full care plus extended LTS by volunteers.
• SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLES) and others.

Choice in practice

• Company with a support contract: RHEL or SLES.
• Cloud and containers: Ubuntu LTS or Debian.
• Own projects: Debian or Ubuntu LTS, simple and well documented.

On the server itself desktop, games and extras are superfluous: install lean, small attack surface (Hardening Linux).

See also: Linux distributions: family tree