I'm curious about which Linux distributions everyone is using at work these days. I'm particularly interested in whether learning Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) in 2025 is still a valuable investment, especially since there have been some controversies regarding Red Hat's recent actions. Also, for those who have pursued Linux certifications, do you think they are worthwhile?
10 Answers
I typically stick with Debian for my projects. It just feels reliable. Plus, I've used Linux Mint Debian Edition for a desktop, and it’s a solid GUI starter. Also, I like that it works well even for critical industries—last major issue I had was that log4j problem a while back which affected everyone.
Good point, it's not flashy but it gets the job done.
I've been using Ubuntu Pro and RHEL mainly because they comply with FIPS requirements for government work. It's pretty important for being compliant.
What benefits have you seen from Ubuntu Pro? I just started dabbling with Linux at home and I'm worried about support.
SUSE also offers FIPS compliance, just an FYI!
Debian is my go-to, but I use Ubuntu for non-IT folks who aren't as tech-savvy. They generally find Ubuntu easier to handle. For lightweight systems, Alpine has been fantastic for container setups.
RHEL is solid for servers, but I'd say experience is more crucial than just a certification. Certificates can look good, but knowing how to handle issues in real-time is where it counts.
I've got a mix of RHEL, Oracle Linux, and some Ubuntu servers. We've even got Solaris running on some older physical SPARCs. RHEL is definitely my staple since it's widely used and supported.
Wow, Solaris is still being used? I thought it was a thing of the past!
I mostly use Ubuntu for VMs and Docker containers, but RHEL is still there when I need something more robust for production.
RHEL and its clones like Rocky and Alma seem to dominate in enterprise environments. But I find that familiarity with Debian and Ubuntu is also handy, especially when it comes to job listings.
I run a hodgepodge of distributions depending on project needs—RHEL for serious tasks, but Ubuntu for flexibility. Learning Linux, especially RHEL, is absolutely worth it for job prospects.
As for the negatives about Red Hat, many people are pretty upset about the changes to CentOS and how they handle source code access now. I wonder how that will affect their reputation in the long run.
Honestly, I find RHEL's certification valuable because you actually demonstrate skills rather than just memorize things. Plus, if you're looking at cloud environments, getting familiar with lightweight distros like Alpine is definitely a plus.
I've found that Debian is a great place to return to after trying others.