* [Topics](/en/topics "Topics") * [Linux](/en/topics/linux "Linux") * Linux for cloud computing Linux for cloud computing ========================= Updated February 5, 2026•*4*-minute read Copy URL Jump to section --------------- OverviewThings to considerBenefits of LinuxWhy choose Red Hat for cloud Overview -------- Businesses are increasingly adopting [cloud computing](/en/topics/cloud-computing). By moving enterprise workloads into the cloud, organizations can work in a more agile way, improve innovation, and expand and contract resources as needed. [Hybrid cloud](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux/hybrid-cloud) environments (which combine some [cloud infrastructure](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-cloud-infrastructure) with some on-premise infrastructure) and [multicloud](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-multicloud) environments (which combine multiple public clouds) both provide the benefits of public cloud resources while meeting specific workload, security, and compliance expectations on premise. **This makes the** [**choice of a cloud operation system (OS)**](/en/topics/cloud-computing/public-cloud-vs-private-cloud-and-hybrid-cloud) **tremendously important.** A cloud-based OS—like a traditional operating system—manages the operation, execution, and processes of all cloud resources, including [virtual machines (VMs)](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-a-virtual-machine), virtual infrastructure, and hardware and software resources. [8 ways Linux supports modern IT and business goals](/en/engage/why-operating-system-matters-ebook) Things to consider before moving to the cloud --------------------------------------------- Given the many variables involved, moving to the cloud is a complicated undertaking. This is especially true when moving to hybrid and multicloud environments. New interactions and multiple [integrations](/en/topics/integration) combine to make management more challenging. As you're preparing for your move to the cloud, you'll likely have a few important questions: * How do you keep everything connected and running? * How do you make sure your existing on-premise [infrastructure](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-it-infrastructure) interacts smoothly with the new [virtual](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-virtualization) components? * How do you maintain oversight, visibility, and security? * Should you consider [automation](/en/topics/automation)? * And how on earth do you [manage it all](/en/topics/management)? Choosing the right OS largely influences the answers to these questions—and the amount of complexity involved. As you move more critical enterprise workloads to the cloud, your OS plays an important part. It should provide the capabilities and permission controls needed to ensure optimum performance of your basic configurations and web applications—on demand and in real time. As you adopt hybrid or multicloud environments, you'll often use more than 1 [public](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-public-cloud) or [private cloud](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-private-cloud) service alongside [Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-saas), [Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-iaas), and [Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-paas) solutions. This makes an OS that provides consistency across platforms and providers crucial. [Learn about the state of Linux in the public cloud](/en/resources/state-of-linux-public-cloud-solutions-ebook) 7 characteristics of successful hybrid cloud strategies Recommended for you Modernize and standardize: Deploying Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform on Microsoft Azure ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Watch the webinar](https://www.redhat.com/en/events/webinar/modernize-and-standardize-deploying-red-hat-enterprise-linux-red-hat-ansible-automation-platform-on-microsoft-azure?percmp=RHCTG0250000455235) The benefits of Linux for cloud computing ----------------------------------------- [Linux](/en/topics/linux)[®](https://www.redhat.com/en/topics/linux) is ideal for cloud environments because of its [open source](/en/topics/open-source/what-is-open-source) development model. This model gives you the flexibility and freedom to choose technologies—like [Kubernetes](/en/topics/containers/what-is-kubernetes) and [edge computing](/en/topics/edge-computing/what-is-edge-computing)—that will help your organization achieve its business goals. And because [Linux is open source](/en/about/open-source) versus proprietary, you can avoid being locked in to any 1 vendor's solutions. Linux has a long history in cloud computing and [virtualization](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-virtualization), working within the open source community to create cloud systems and help them grow. Linux offers  the same tools and processes for cloud workloads that it brings to traditional IT deployments, making management less cumbersome and reducing the need for staff retraining. Today, thanks in great part to the versatility that comes from being open source, Linux remains a top operating system in cloud environments. If your organization requires enterprise-grade features, an enterprise Linux solution for cloud environments helps meet the critical needs of your applications and workloads. It does this by providing: * Innovation from the open source community. * Consistency across infrastructures, environments, and use cases. * [Container](/en/topics/containers/whats-a-linux-container) portability. * On-demand scalability. * Continuous patches and updates to improve security. One of these capabilities—providing consistency across platforms—is a major factor in reducing cloud-migration complexity. You can migrate workloads to any hybrid cloud environment, knowing that processes, practices, and skills used in an on-premise environment will also work in the cloud. Something else to consider: Linux comes in [different distributions (Linux distros)](/en/topics/linux/whats-the-best-linux-distro-for-you), each with different benefits, subscription models, operational costs, support models, and integrations with existing infrastructure or third-party technologies. The Linux distro you adopt in the cloud should optimize cloud operations by maximizing security, performance, scalability, manageability, and overall reliability. [Boost hybrid cloud security](/en/resources/hybrid-cloud-security-ebook) Why choose Red Hat for cloud computing? --------------------------------------- Red Hat® Enterprise Linux has become the world's leading commercial Linux operating system1. It provides consistency from the datacenter to the cloud to the edge, helping you easily manage all applications and workloads with a single tool. In many ways, Red Hat *is* Linux. We’re a [top contributor to the Linux kernel](https://lwn.net/Articles/941675/) and have more than 25 years of experience and expertise in the open source community. Our cloud solutions extend beyond our cloud products. Red Hat OS, storage, and application services products are also engineered to support cloud computing. For developers and DevOps engineers working at the command-line level, Red Hat Enterprise Linux delivers quick and easy access to reliable OS images in the cloud. It also lets them access the toolchains, libraries, container tools, and runtimes needed to streamline the path from development to production in public cloud, private cloud, multicloud, and hybrid cloud environments. With [Image Mode for Red Hat Enterprise Linux](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux-10/image-mode), you can build, deploy, and manage the operating system using container technologies. Organizations of all sizes [turn to Red Hat Enterprise Linux](/en/topics/cloud-computing/why-choose-red-hat-cloud) to manage their cloud environments because it provides a stable, security-focused foundation for agile business operations in the cloud. As the most-deployed commercial Linux distro1, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is certified for use: * With all major [cloud marketplaces](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-a-cloud-marketplace) and cloud providers, including [Microsoft Azure](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux/why-choose-red-hat-enterprise-linux-on-azure), [Amazon Web Services (AWS)](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux/why-choose-red-hat-enterprise-linux-on-aws), [Google Cloud](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux/google-cloud), IBM Cloud, and Alibaba Cloud. * On hundreds of other public cloud and service providers. * On thousands of other types of software and hardware. You can bring your own subscription, pay as you go, or use cloud provider [committed spend](/en/topics/cloud-computing/committed-spend). You can even work directly with Red Hat to build a plan tailored to your specific needs. For example, Red Hat and Microsoft collaborate closely to help optimize solutions for cloud performance on Azure. We can help you get the most out of your subscriptions today and safely invest in your applications for tomorrow—knowing they can all run anywhere. [Learn more about Red Hat Enterprise Linux in the cloud](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux/cloud) 1IDC study. "[Worldwide Server Operating System Environments Market Shares, 2022: Steady Growth Persists](https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US51038623&pageType=PRINTFRIENDLY)." Document #US51038623, July 2023. Recommended for you E-book Transform your applications with Red Hat and Google Cloud --------------------------------------------------------- Together, Red Hat and Google Cloud simplify application development, transformation, and modernization. Download to read more. [Read the e-book](https://www.redhat.com/en/resources/transform-applications-with-google-cloud-ebook?percmp=RHCTG0250000455234) All Red Hat product trials -------------------------- Our no-cost product trials help you gain hands-on experience, prepare for a certification, or assess if a product is right for your organization. [Keep reading](/en/products/trials "All Red Hat product trials") Keep reading ------------ ### What is Linux? Linux is an open source operating system made up of the kernel, the base component of the OS, and the tools, applications, and services bundled with it. [Read the article](/en/topics/linux/what-is-linux "article | what is linux?") ### How to move to Red Hat Enterprise Linux from other Linux distros Move from CentOS Linux®, Oracle Linux, Alma Linux or Rocky Linux to Red Hat® Enterprise Linux with the convert2RHEL tool. [Read the article](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux/migration-process/convert2rhel "product article | convert2rhel") ### Why run Microsoft SQL Server on Linux? The speed and performance possible on Linux systems presents an ideal platform for Microsoft SQL Server. [Read the article](/en/topics/linux/why-run-sql-server-on-linux "article | why run microsoft sql server on linux") Linux resources --------------- ### Related content * Blog post [More than meets the eye: Behind the scenes of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 (Part 5)](/en/blog/more-meets-eye-behind-scenes-red-hat-enterprise-linux-10-part-5) * Blog post [Announcing general availability of SQL Server 2025 on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10](/en/blog/announcing-general-availability-sql-server-2025-red-hat-enterprise-linux-10) * Blog post [Red Hat Enterprise Linux now available on the AWS European Sovereign Cloud](/en/blog/red-hat-enterprise-linux-now-available-aws-european-sovereign-cloud) * E-book [The power of Red Hat Enterprise Linux](/en/engage/power-of-linux-ebook) ### Related articles * [What is Linux?](/en/topics/linux/what-is-linux) * [How to move to Red Hat Enterprise Linux from other Linux distros](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux/migration-process/convert2rhel) * [What is post-quantum cryptography?](/en/topics/security/post-quantum-cryptography) * [Why run Microsoft SQL Server on Linux?](/en/topics/linux/why-run-sql-server-on-linux) * [Why choose Red Hat for Linux?](/en/topics/linux/why-choose-red-hat-enterprise-linux) * [What is the SAP HANA migration?](/en/topics/linux/what-is-sap-hana-migration) * [What is lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) authentication?](/en/topics/security/what-is-ldap-authentication) * [Red Hat Enterprise Linux security](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux/security) * [What is cloud migration? 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