SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, ARM with 16 or more Cores - Standard Subscription - 5 Year

Experience enterprise-grade Linux on ARM with unmatched reliability and security. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) for ARM with 16 or more cores delivers powerful performance, streamlined management, and rock-solid support across data centers and edge deployments. This Standard Subscription spans 5 years and includes license terms for 1-2 sockets with unlimited virtual machines, making it ideal for density-heavy workloads and virtualized environments. Available through Academic pricing and the Novell Volume License Agreement (VLA), this offer combines predictable costs with long-term stability, so your mission-critical applications stay up and running. With SUSE's comprehensive security features, certified hardware compatibility, and enterprise-grade maintenance, you can deploy with confidence in production and labs alike.

• Unlimited virtualization — Licensed for 1-2 sockets with unlimited virtual machines, enabling high VM density on ARM servers to maximize your infrastructure efficiency.
• 5-year Standard Subscription — A long-term support plan that includes ongoing updates, security patches, and robust maintenance to keep workloads secure and up-to-date.
• Academic pricing — Available through Electronic Academic pricing, providing a convenient and cost-effective way for educational institutions to equip labs and campuses.
• Novell VLA compatibility — Eligible for Novell Volume License Agreement (VLA), delivering scalable license management as your ARM deployment grows.
• Arm-based enterprise readiness — Optimized for ARM architectures with certified drivers, security features, and enterprise-grade tooling designed for reliability in data centers and edge environments.

Technical Details of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

• Platform: ARM-based SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
• Cores supported: 16 or more cores
• Edition: Standard Subscription
• License duration: 5 years
• Licensing model: 1-2 sockets with unlimited VMs
• Virtualization: Unlimited virtual machines under the Standard Subscription
• License program: Academic pricing and Novell Volume License Agreement (VLA)
• Update and support: 5-year validation window for ongoing security and maintenance
• Target deployments: Data centers, private clouds, and edge deployments requiring ARM optimization

How to install SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

• Confirm hardware compatibility: Ensure your ARM server hardware supports SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for ARM and has at least 16 cores available for the intended workloads.
• Acquire license: Obtain the 5-year Standard Subscription under the 1-2 sockets licensing model and ensure eligibility for Academic pricing or VLA if applicable.
• Download installation media: Access the SUSE provisioning portal or your licensed software portal to obtain the appropriate ARM installation ISO or image for SLES.
• Prepare installation medium: Create a bootable USB drive or configure a network boot environment suitable for ARM architecture.
• Run the installer: Boot the target server from the installation media, select the ARM edition, and follow the guided wizard to configure language, keyboard layout, and storage.
• Configure networking and storage: Set up primary network interfaces, DNS, and routing; partition disks or choose Btrfs/XFS as appropriate for your workload and redundancy needs.
• Register and license: During or after installation, register the system with SUSE Customer Center, apply the 5-year Standard Subscription license, and enable automatic updates and security repositories.
• Enable services and virtualization: If you plan to run virtual machines, configure the preferred hypervisor (KVM/virt-manager or similar) and verify virtualization support in the kernel and BIOS/UEFI settings.
• Perform initial updates: Run system updates to install the latest security patches and bug fixes before deploying production workloads.
• Post-install hardening: Enable firewall rules, configure SELinux/AppArmor profiles, and apply best-practice security baselines to meet your organization’s compliance requirements.

Frequently asked questions

• What does “ARM with 16 or more cores” mean for SLES? It specifies that the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server edition is optimized for ARM-based hardware with 16 or more processing cores, delivering scalable performance for multi-threaded workloads and virtualization.
• How long is the subscription term? The Standard Subscription is valid for 5 years, providing long-term access to updates, security patches, and support within the license scope.
• How many operating system instances or VMs can I run? Under the 1-2 socket licensing model included with this product, you have unlimited virtual machines, enabling high-density virtualization without extra per-VM licensing fees.
• Is academic pricing available? Yes. Academic pricing is offered through electronic pricing channels, designed to reduce costs for educational institutions and research programs.
• What about licensing and compliance? The product supports Novell Volume License Agreement (VLA) options for scalable licensing, helping organizations manage larger ARM deployments with predictable pricing and terms.
• What kind of support can I expect? A 5-year lifecycle includes patches, security updates, and standard enterprise support coverage to keep systems secure and stable across updates and migrations.