In the world of server operation and deployment, Linux is almost the unshakable protagonist. Whether you are building a personal blog, running a corporate website, or deploying microservices and databases, choosing a stable, reliable, and easy-to-maintain Linux distribution is half the battle.
But this is where the problem lies - there are too many choices. CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky, Arch, Alpine... They all sound familiar, but it's confusing to really choose one. We will start from a practical perspective and take stock of several Linux systems that are really suitable for server deployment, and talk about their respective advantages and disadvantages based on daily use experience.
1. Ubuntu Server: A large and comprehensive choice for novices
Ubuntu is the first stop for many people to contact Linux. The desktop version of Ubuntu is friendly and easy to use, and the server version is also "easy to talk to". If you are new to server operation and maintenance, and want to build a website, run a Node.js application, and set up Nginx for front-end reverse generation, Ubuntu Server can almost do it all in one stop.
Actual experience: I built a backend service for a small e-commerce website using Ubuntu 22.04, Docker + Nginx + PostgreSQL, and did not encounter any major pitfalls throughout the process. The server has been online and running stably for half a year without restarting once. The operation and maintenance is simply "foolproof".
Of course, it is not omnipotent. For example, for high-concurrency applications or deeply customized environments, Ubuntu sometimes appears to be "too universal".
2. Debian: The most stable "old workhorse"
Debian is more stable than Ubuntu. Its slogan is "The Universal Operating System", but its real strength is its performance on the server side.
The software package is extremely stable and the update rhythm is slow, which is suitable for services that pursue reliability; the installation process and system defaults are very "simple", without too many presets, which is convenient for personalized configuration; non-commercial drive, completely community maintained, and very independent.
Suitable deployment scenarios: database servers (such as MySQL, PostgreSQL), mail services,lightweight services on old hardware, etc.
Actual experience: If you want to build a server that you won't touch for years, Debian is the best choice. I have a NAS device running DebianStretch. Except for occasional security patch upgrades, I have hardly had to worry about it for years.
As for the disadvantages, there is one point: the software version is relatively old, and the support for new technologies is not so radical. If you want to run the latest Node.js and Python versions, you may need to manually add PPA or compile the source code.
3. CentOS Stream/Alma Linux/Rocky Linux: Three Brothers in the RHEL Ecosystem
If Ubuntu and Debian are "folk heroes" for open source developers, then the RHEL family is the gold medal operation and maintenance in the enterprise world.
We used to love CentOS the most because it is a free clone of RHEL. But since RedHat announced that CentOS has transformed into "CentOS Stream", many people have begun to look for alternatives - so there are AlmaLinux and RockyLinux.
CentOS Stream is a "rolling forward version" of RHEL, which is no longer as stable as before; it is more suitable for development/test environments; use it with caution in enterprise production environments.
Alma Linux & Rocky Linux are both community-driven and 100% RHEL compatible; they provide long-term support, and the update frequency is synchronized with RHEL; they are very suitable for enterprise use: database, ERP, CRM, and financial system deployment.
Real use suggestions: If you are maintaining a traditional enterprise-level website running Oracle, Tomcat, and Apache, AlmaLinux and Rocky are the best solutions to replace the old CentOS. The configuration method is consistent with CentOS, and there is no need to relearn.
Fourth, AlpineLinux: Extremely lightweight, the best partner for containers
Finally, we have to mention a niche but powerful distribution - Alpine Linux.
The image is only tens of MB, extremely streamlined; musllibc and BusyBox are used by default, which is very resource-saving; it has high security, and SSH and ports are not opened by default; it is the preferred basic system for many Docker container images.
Suitable scenarios: microservice containers, automated build environments, edge devices, DevOps tool chains.
But it is not suitable as a "system server" in the traditional sense. For example, if you want to run WordPress, database and other services, using Alpine will increase the complexity of deployment (because the dependencies need to be handled manually).
The charm of Linux is not only that it is free and open source, but also that it provides a variety of options for people with different needs. From individual developers to large enterprises, from lightweight containers to large distributed systems, as long as you are willing, there is always a distribution that suits you.
