The second service pack for SUSE comes with Linux Kernel 5.3, the SUSE Manager brings new functions for managing open source infrastructures.
SUSE’s new minor release Linux Enterprise 15 Service Pack 2 (SLE 15 SP2) brings its customers a new kernel, more features and changes to the programs used by default.
Kernel 5.3 enables functions such as utilization clamping support in the To maintain schedulers or programs from user space in an energy-efficient manner. SLE 15 SP2 is available for the x86-64, Arm, IBM POWER, IBM Z and LinuxONE architectures.
From now on it is also possible to migrate from open SUSE Leap to the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLE). This allows customers to test the free version and switch to SLE later. In addition to Python 2, Python 3 is now also included in the package, the 389 Directory Server replaces OpenLDAP as the directory service. Zypper ensures an advanced package search and the Repository Management Tool (RMT) replaces the Subscription Management Tool (SMT). With SLE Live Patching, improvements are said to result in uptimes being increased by up to 12 months. Furthermore, SUSE is making SLE Live Patching available for IBM Z and LinuxONE for the first time.
Beyond the operating system
Something has also happened in areas apart from the operating system. SUSE provides updated public cloud images for Alibaba, AWS, Google, IBM, Microsoft Azure and Oracle. There is also FIPS 140-2 security support and better DevOps integration for automations and project builds, for example. The migration from SAP HANA to cloud and hybrid scenarios is now easier, the support for new computer generations enables twice the scalability, writes SUSE.
As far as the SUSE Manager 4.1 is concerned, the manufacturer wants overview and control have improved over heterogeneous IT landscapes. With its help, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8, CentOS 6 to 8, Oracle Enterprise Linux and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS can also be managed as target systems. The new version handles clusters and works better with virtual machines.
