No, SUSE Linux is not based on Red Hat. While both are prominent enterprise-grade Linux distributions, they have evolved independently and are considered distinct entities within the Linux ecosystem.
Understanding Their Relationship
Despite both SUSE and Red Hat distributions utilizing the same core Linux kernel and sharing a significant number of common open-source RPM (Red Hat Package Manager) packages, their development paths and underlying system architectures differ considerably. They are parallel developments, not parent and child.
Key Commonalities:
- Linux Kernel: Both distributions are built upon the same fundamental Linux kernel, which is the core of any Linux operating system. This shared foundation is common to virtually all Linux distributions.
- RPM Package Format: Both SUSE (including openSUSE and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server - SLES) and Red Hat (including Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux - RHEL) primarily use the RPM package format for software distribution. This allows them to share many upstream open-source applications packaged in RPMs.
Key Differences and Independent Development:
While they share a kernel and package format, nearly everything else in their system management, configuration tools, and default setups is different. Both companies have developed their own unique sets of tools and philosophies over decades.
Here's a brief comparison of some key distinctions:
| Feature | SUSE Linux (SLES/openSUSE) | Red Hat (RHEL/Fedora) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Enterprise (SLES), Community (openSUSE) | Enterprise (RHEL), Community (Fedora, CentOS Stream) |
| Core Configuration Tool | YaST (Yet another Setup Tool) - a comprehensive graphical and text-based system administration tool. | Anaconda (Installer), Cockpit (Web Console), traditional command-line tools (e.g., dnf, firewalld). |
| Package Management | zypper (built on RPM) |
dnf (formerly yum, built on RPM) |
| Initial Release | 1992 (S.u.S.E. Linux) | 1993 (Red Hat Linux) |
| Parent Company | SUSE | IBM (via acquisition of Red Hat) |
| Default Desktop Env. | Historically KDE Plasma (openSUSE), GNOME (SLES) | Historically GNOME |
Both SUSE and Red Hat are major contributors to the Linux kernel and other open-source projects, leading their respective ecosystems. They offer distinct approaches to system administration, software management, and support, catering to different preferences and enterprise requirements.
