diffence in versions?

kronuskaos · 11-18-2005, 02:33 PM

noob to linux here with a question about the different versions of suse... i decided to make the switch from windows to linux for my file server i have on a local network, and have been playing with linux on my laptop with 9.3 to get comfortable with it. i realized however, that there are a few different versions of linux 10, from the oss version to the desktop to the enterprise version.

but i can't seem to find what the difference is. should i look into buying the retail copy? or can i use the oss version for what i need?

fouldsy · 11-18-2005, 02:42 PM

If you check the SuSE website, they list the features of the latest version and allow you to compare it to your current system. Generally, packages are updated and new installation + hardware detection schemes are introduced as version numbers increase. An online update should pull in the same versions of packages onto your current system meaning there's no need to wipe everything and start again either after downloading the ISO's from the Internet and burning them to CD or purchasing the retail product.

kronuskaos · 11-18-2005, 03:06 PM

no, i'm sorry...

i'm not wondering about the diffrence from 9.3 to 10, but rather the diffrence from enterprise to eval to professional to oss.

fouldsy · 11-18-2005, 03:37 PM

Basically, the support you get with each version - either loads but you pay for it (enterprise), bugger all other than forums + mailing lists (eval + oss), to 60 day installation support for personal + pro boxed versions. Again though, check the SuSE website for an overview of the different support offerings provided for each version.

kronuskaos · 11-18-2005, 03:41 PM

ok so then outside if the ability to call novell (or whatever), the only thing i would be missing if i used the OSS version would be.. nothing?

EDIT: for the matter, does that also mean that any of the packages that i would get with the other versions are available via YAST/YOU ?

fouldsy · 11-18-2005, 05:42 PM

I think there's a handful of non-free packages that only get distributed in the retail/enterprise versions due to licencing restrictions, but you'd need to check the suse website for exact details as to which ones. Pretty much everything else will be the same and will run through the same YaST sources. Enterprise products a bit different, certainly server wise, as we have to maintain our support contract to use the official patches via YaST otherwise you don't get them.

kronuskaos · 11-18-2005, 06:18 PM

ahh sweet. allright. that makes sense.

thank you very much.