Oracle updates Linux FAQs (page 1 of 2)

1. What is Oracle's Unbreakable Linux strategy?

Oracle is fully committed to supporting the Linux operating system. In fact, Oracle was the first commercial database available on Linux. By supporting Linux with Oracle's industry-leading products, we are enabling customers to deploy enterprise-class solutions on the lowest cost hardware and operating system infrastructure. We believe that Linux is more attractive today than ever, as customers are looking for open, cost-effective solutions.

Over the past few years Oracle and its customers have learned a tremendous amount about running Oracle on Linux for enterprise class deployments. Combining this knowledge with the opportunity to drastically reduce IT infrastructure costs has provided the catalyst for Oracle to provide customers with seamless and complete technical support for the Linux OS in addition to support for the Oracle stack. Oracle's delivery of a complete solution, including direct technical support of the operating system, is critical to our customers' success.

With technical contributions to enhance Linux, code-level support of the key Linux systems, and strategic partnerships, Oracle is offering an Unbreakable Linux platform for customers to safely deploy Linux in a mission-critical environment.


2. Which Oracle products are available on Linux?

All key Oracle products, including Oracle Database, Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC), Oracle Application Server, Oracle Collaboration Suite, Oracle Developer Suite, and Oracle E-Business Suite are available on Linux. For a list of certified products, please visit Oracle MetaLink.


3. Does Oracle provide technical support for the Linux OS?

Oracle's Unbreakable Linux Support offering includes Linux operating system support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS/ES (RHEL), Novell SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server (SLES), and Asianux. Oracle customers running RHEL, SLES or Asianux, can call Oracle directly for any Oracle or OS issue. Oracle will diagnose the issue and will work with the OS partner to address the operating system issue as needed. For critical OS issues (Priority 1), Oracle will provide a fix directly to the customer regardless of whether the issue is related to an Oracle product or a Red Hat/Novell/Asianux product. Oracle will forward any Linux critical bug fixes/patches to the appropriate Linux distributor for inclusion in their future releases.

Oracle's delivery of a complete and integrated support solution leads to faster problem resolution and reduced support costs, which are critical to our customers' success.


4. Does Oracle charge any fees for providing Linux OS support?

Oracle does not charge any fees for Linux OS support, however, customers must have a current support contract in place with Oracle. In addition, Novell and Asianux customers must maintain current support contracts with those distributors, and Red Hat customers must maintain a Standard or Premium support contract with Red Hat to be eligible for Unbreakable Support.


5. What distributions of Linux does Oracle support?

The following distributions are certified and supported by Oracle:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS and ES (RHEL)
Novell SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server (SLES)
Asianux (only supported in the Asia/Pacific region). The products supported by Oracle, as part of Asianux, include:
Red Flag DC 4.1 Asianux Inside
Miracle Linux 3.0 Asianux Inside


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