Optimizing Software Delivery and Maintenance: SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0 for ISVs and Integrators

Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and integrators face unique challenges in deploying and managing applications across diverse environments. Thus, they are constantly seeking ways to offer new solutions with more flexibility, security, and efficiency while also reducing maintenance costs and risks. SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro emerges as a powerful platform designed to meet these demands. This blog explores how SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0 stands out, addressing the critical needs of software vendors and integrators by streamlining customer adoption and providing a reliable, secure, and scalable solution that minimizes maintenance costs, even in geographically distributed scenarios.

Introduction

In the dynamic world of IT infrastructure, SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0 (SLE Micro 6.0) shines with its adaptability and security. As a robust Linux container host, SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro has been designed to support a wide range of containerized environments, from standalone deployments to large, managed environments. What sets SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0 apart is its ability to deploy containerized applications consistently and confidently, empowering you to deliver the best to your customers and third-party partners.

Challenges of Default Container-Based Deployments

Traditionally, the Operating System has served as the interface between applications and hardware. Developers have struggled to decouple their applications from the complexities of hardware dependencies. The advent of containerization has provided a solution, allowing for the deployment of software appliances that focus solely on applications. However, forcing the adoption of containerization infrastructure, particularly Kubernetes, as the default deployment format introduces its own set of challenges.

Managing Kubernetes environments can add significant complexity, especially when the resources required for maintenance and operation are disproportionate to the benefits of deploying a single application. This complexity becomes more pronounced when applications need to be deployed across multiple tenants and multiple sites, such as at the edge, or when the existing corporate container environments of customers do not meet the specific security or compliance requirements of the application. This is why SUSE Edge 3.0 has chosen SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro as its foundation.

Overcoming Integration Challenges

One of the main challenges for software vendors and integrators is ensuring their applications can adapt to the existing customer infrastructure and resources or be the least intrusive possible. Forcing customers to add resources to manage new infrastructures, like adopting Kubernetes, when their departments are not ready, or prefer to keep their infrastructure independence, as is often the case with SAP departments, is not ideal when positioning a new application or service. This approach can lead to time-consuming discussions and hinder the adoption process.

Therefore, software vendors and integrators need a new generation of standalone container hosts that can deliver appliances with straightforward maintenance, maximize application availability, and be deployable anywhere. These solutions must be easy for their customers to adopt without adding unnecessary complexity to their IT infrastructure.

Tailored for the Needs of Software Vendors and Integrators

Software vendors and integrators require a platform that is not only versatile but also consistent and reliable across various deployment scenarios. SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0’s hardware-agnostic nature allows applications to be deployed seamlessly across different infrastructures, from traditional data centers to public and private clouds, reaching a broader market without compatibility issues and providing a compelling reason to consider SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0.

The low footprint and lightweight nature of SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro allow ISVs and Integrators to concentrate only on supporting their application. At the same time, the near-zero management and maintenance needs of SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro liberate resources to develop and support their applications and services. Furthermore, capabilities like Live Patching allow it to operate continuously even when critical patches need to be immediately applied, fixing vulnerabilities that can lead to security breaches and outages. Live Patching is especially important on remote and edge systems, which are more exposed to cybersecurity threats and are complex to patch.

Reduce Maintenance Costs and Risks on Remote Deployments with an Always-Ready-to-Service OS.

While updating a containerized application is generally a routine and low-risk operation, updating the host systems and appliances at remote sites carries inherent risks of downtime due to misconfigurations or failed patches. While these issues may be straightforward to fix in a cloud or data center environment, they become significantly more challenging when dealing with remote or edge deployments. Updates and misconfigurations can cause devices to fail to start, leading to prolonged service downtime.

Fixing issues at remote sites is expensive and time-consuming because when remote or edge systems go down and cannot boot, they are challenging and costly to repair without local assistance. Consequently, software appliances at remote sites often require on-site maintenance, leading to increased travel and logistical costs. When software is deployed on a large scale, such as by an ISV to thousands of customers or by a customer or integrator in a large edge deployment, the cost and liability of a failure during a massive update increase, along with the risk of a larger outage due to the time needed to travel to multiple sites and the associated liability.

Appliances are Often Unpatched.

This risk makes software vendors reluctant to patch appliances and container hosts as often as needed, despite remote and edge systems being more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. This lack of patching on remote and edge devices leaves them exposed to vulnerabilities, leading to potential security breaches and outages.

The Solution: an Always-Ready-to-Service OS

SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro is an always-ready-to-service OS that addresses these challenges with advanced features. Transactional updates ensure that updates are applied reliably, reducing the risk of system failures. Its immutable OS prevents unauthorized changes, enhancing system security and stability. Seamless rollbacks allow for quick recovery from update issues, ensuring systems remain operational. With an OS always ready to boot in a stable state, service interruptions are minimized, and maintenance costs and travel for remote system maintenance are reduced. This is especially valuable for large-scale edge deployments, where misconfigurations could impact thousands of systems and lead to extensive downtimes.

Together with Live Patching, SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro mitigates the immediate remediation of vulnerabilities associated with the host OS. By utilizing SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro, ISVs and integrators can ensure their applications are consistently available and secure, even in remote and edge environments, ultimately reducing maintenance costs and risks.

Advantages of deploying software as an appliance with SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro

Enhanced Security for Customer Confidence

Security is a paramount concern for software vendors and integrators, especially when handling sensitive customer data. SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0’s advanced security features, such as TPM2-based full disk encryption and comprehensive support for the latest security standards like Confidential Computing, provide a secure foundation for your applications. With SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0, you can enhance customer trust and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, instilling a sense of assurance in the safety of your applications and customer data.

Streamlining Deployment and Integration

SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0 simplifies the deployment and management of containerized applications by providing tools that automate configuration and provisioning tasks. This is especially valuable in cloud environments where scalability and quick adaptation are necessary. Additionally, the OS’s capability to integrate smoothly into existing IT ecosystems using various authentication methods, including Active Directory, allows integrators to deploy their solutions into diverse environments seamlessly.

Supporting Real-Time and Mission-Critical Applications

The inclusion of a real-time kernel in SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0 is particularly beneficial for software vendors that develop applications requiring immediate data processing. This feature ensures that containerized applications operate with minimal latency, which is critical for sectors such as telco, financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Expanding Capabilities with Modular Architecture

SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0’s modular architecture is a game-changer for software vendors and integrators. It allows for the customization of the operating system to fit specific needs without overloading the system with unnecessary components. This modularity is key for those who need a lean operational environment that can efficiently run their containerized applications while also providing the capability to scale as necessary.

Compliance and Secure Software Supply Chain.

Security and certification evaluation of the software supply chain is crucial in today’s digital landscape, not just for the integrity of containerized applications and protecting end-user data but for compliance. More than ever, organizations face new challenges with regulations such as the EU’s NIS 2 and Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and the US’s M-22-18 ( Memorandum about Enhancing the Security of the Software Supply Chain through Secure Software Development Practices ). These regulations now require companies to ensure the security of their IT supply chains, including those of their direct providers and third-party software used.

This implies that organizations must act with due diligence, which may involve conducting a Conformity Assessment. Essentially, companies must prove they have taken all necessary precautions to prevent security incidents in their IT services. Additionally, Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), Standardized Vulnerability Handling and Reporting, and guaranteed security updates for a certain period are now part of the minimum requirements.

Therefore, organizations are responsible for the security of their entire IT software environment, including certification and assessment of third-party software used in their IT services. This applies to the Linux operating system and all other open-source components, such as development tools, libraries, and container images.

For a deeper understanding of how enterprise Linux platforms like SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0 can help meet security and compliance needs in IT, refer to a more detailed discussion in my previous blogs, “Secure and Compliant Containerized Deployments with SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0” and “An Enterprise Linux Platform is the Choice for Security and Compliance in IT”.

The Impact of a Evaluated Secure Software Supply Chain on Software Vendors and Integrators

For software vendors and companies providing IT services, the challenge with these regulations is more significant because they affect not only the vendors but also their customers, who need compliance assurance in all their IT services involving third-party software. Streamlining compliance assurance for their customers will improve their competitiveness and position them as secure and trusted providers.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0 offers a platform built on a secure software supply chain evaluated by Common Criteria EAL4, augmented by ALC_FLR.3 (EAL4+) certification. This secure software supply chain evaluation ensures that all components are verified and compliant with the highest security standards, minimizing vulnerabilities. Therefore, software providers can deliver value to their customers by using SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro as a base for their IT services and software, simplifying the assessment of their secure software supply chain.

Optimizing for the Edge and Embedded Applications

With the increase in edge computing and embedded applications, software vendors and integrators require platforms that can deliver high performance in distributed environments. SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0 is optimized for edge deployments, providing reliable and consistent performance even in resource-constrained environments. This capability is especially crucial for embedded systems, where applications must perform reliably under various operational conditions, enabling software vendors to extend their reach to edge devices and embedded systems, tapping into new markets and applications.

Leveraging Long-Term Support for Sustainability

SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0 comes with the promise of long-term support from SUSE, a crucial aspect for software vendors and integrators. This support ensures the longevity and reliability of your containerized applications over extended periods. With SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0, you can provide your customers with stable and secure solutions while also having access to continuous updates and security patches, giving you a sense of security and confidence in the stability of your applications.

Conclusion: A Strategic Platform for Software Vendors and Integrators

SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0 is not just an operating system; it is a strategic platform that empowers software vendors and integrators to develop and deploy innovative, secure, and compliant containerized applications quickly and efficiently. By leveraging SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0, they can enhance their product offerings, accelerate their time to market, and expand their footprint in the competitive software market.

Find out what’s new in SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0 by reading the announcement blog or taking a look at the SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro web page