SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is a world-class, secure open source server operating system, built to power physical, virtual and cloud-based mission-critical workloads.

Designed for mixed IT environments, it offers best-of-breed performance with reduced risk of technological obsolescence or vendor lock-in.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 12 is a modular, general-purpose operating system and runs on all major processor architectures. It is optimized to run on leading hypervisors and supports an unlimited number of virtual machine guests per physical system with single subscription, making it the perfect guest for virtual and cloud computing.

This image includes an Azure-tuned kernel for up to 25% faster network throughput and 23% reduction in average latency. The Azure-tuned kernel is only available for certain SUSE Linux images purchased through the Azure Marketplace. BYOS images do not contain the Azure-tuned kernel.

This is a "Pay as You Go" subscription which includes 24 x 7 Integrated Support from Microsoft and SUSE.