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Amazon Linux

Amazon Linux is a free Linux distribution for EC2 instances and Docker container workloads.

Place
#22 of 44
Score
5.9
Amazon Linux's website

What Amazon Linux is

Amazon Linux is a free Linux distribution for EC2 instances and Docker container workloads. It supports x86-64 systems and 64-bit ARM, including Graviton2 or later on EC2. It is available as Amazon EC2 machine images and as Docker or container images that can also be used outside AWS, including for local development. Its DNF package manager, versioned repositories, and AWS Systems Manager support built-in management. Applications can use RPM packages from the AL2023 repositories or a Docker-compatible container image. AL2023 has standard support through June 30, 2027, followed by maintenance support through June 30, 2029. Individual long-term-support kernels receive four years of support. The listed compatibility information also mentions 32-bit, without further detail.

Good

  • Free plan is available.
  • Supports x86-64 and 64-bit ARM.
  • Can be used with EC2 and Docker workloads.
  • Includes DNF, versioned repositories, and Systems Manager.
  • AL2023 support runs through June 30, 2029.

Watch out

  • Standard support ends June 30, 2027.
  • Individual LTS kernels are supported for four years.
  • The listed platforms are Linux only.

Who it suits

Amazon Linux suits users running workloads on EC2 or Docker containers who want a free Linux distribution. It may also fit developers who need container images for local development or other environments.

Verdict

Amazon Linux offers a free Linux option for EC2 and container workloads, with images usable in local development as well. Check the AL2023 support stages and your CPU architecture before choosing it.

Plans and prices

From Amazon Linux's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2001.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
Amazon Linux 2023FreeNo additional charge for the operating system · EC2 and other AWS service charges apply
Amazon Linux 2027 (Preview)FreeNo additional licensing cost · Standard EC2 instance charges apply · AWS Support agreements do not cover the public preview

The facts

Each one read from Amazon Linux's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

AL2023 purpose
Amazon Linux 2023 is a general-purpose RPM-based Linux distribution designed to integrate with AWS services and run at scale in the cloud.checked 8 Oct 2001
AL2027 preview
Amazon Linux 2027 is in public preview for testing non-production workloads and is built for cloud-native workloads on AWS.checked 8 Oct 2001
AL2027 security
AL2027 preview enables SELinux enforcing mode by default and includes AWS-LC alongside OpenSSL.checked 8 Oct 2001
AL2027 support limit
AWS Support agreements do not cover the AL2027 public preview, and AWS recommends keeping production workloads on AL2023 until general availability.checked 8 Oct 2001
Deployment
AWS provides an AL2023 Amazon Machine Image that can be launched through the EC2 console, AWS SDK, or CLI.checked 8 Oct 2001
EC2 integration
AL2023 is optimized for Amazon EC2 and integrates with AWS features and tools including Systems Manager and AWS CLI.checked 8 Oct 2001
Kernel maintenance
AL2023 kernel live patching can apply critical and important kernel security fixes without reboot or downtime.checked 8 Oct 2001
Notable limitation
AL2023 does not have Amazon Linux Extras; additional higher-level software packages are provided as namespaced packages through quarterly releases.checked 8 Oct 2001
Outside AWS
AL2023 images can be used outside AWS, but AWS Support Plans do not cover those uses.checked 8 Oct 2001
Product
Amazon Linux is a portfolio of modern Linux-based operating systems from AWS.checked 8 Oct 2001
Security
AL2023 includes configurable security policies such as SELinux modes and FUTURE or LEGACY system cryptographic policies.checked 8 Oct 2001
Support
AL2023 receives five years of support for each version and is supported until June 2029.checked 8 Oct 2001
Updates
AL2023 locks AMIs and container images to a specific package repository version for deterministic behavior, while allowing customers to select when they take updates.checked 8 Oct 2001

Where it runs

AL2027 platforms
AL2027 preview AMIs are available for x86-64 and Graviton (aarch64) across commercial AWS Regions, and container base images are published to Amazon ECR Public Gallery.checked 8 Oct 2001

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