SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) on Amazon EC2 FAQs

Q. What is SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) on Amazon EC2?

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is the combination of Amazon EC2 compute with SLES included in an Amazon Machine Image (AMI). Additionally, the price of SLES is included in the price of the instance. SLES is an adaptable and easy-to-manage linux server platform that allows developers and administrators to deploy business-critical workloads on Amazon EC2.

Q. What is SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications (SLES for SAP) on AWS Marketplace?

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications (SLES for SAP) is a Linux platform for SAP HANA, SAP NetWeaver, SAP S/4HANA and SAP Business Applications providing optimized performance and reduced downtime for SAP workloads. SLES for SAP is available as an AWS Marketplace product listing and sold by Amazon Web Services.

Q. Is there any difference between SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications (SLES for SAP) compared to the versions I can run in my data center?

No. Both products are maintained by SUSE with the identical packages, updates, and security fixes, and version releases.

Q. What versions of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications are available on AWS?

All publicly supported versions of SLES are available on Amazon EC2. Please see SUSE’s Product Support Lifecycle page for details on what products are supported. SUSE also maintains The Public Cloud Information Tracker webpage is maintained by a SUSE service that provides data about the images and servers SUSE publishes in support of AWS.

Q. How is SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) on Amazon EC2 offered and priced?

SLES on Amazon EC2 is offered at either a flat, hourly rate with no commitment (On-Demand or Spot Instances) or through Standard Reserved Instances or Convertible Reserved Instances. By purchasing a Standard Reserved Instances or Convertible Reserved Instances with SLES you will receive a discount for both the Amazon EC2 instance and the SLES software. To configure a cost estimate that fits your requirements please visit the AWS Pricing Calculator.

Q. How is SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications (SLES for SAP) on AWS Marketplace sold by AWS offered and priced?

When you are purchasing SLES for SAP from the AWS marketplace sold by AWS, the software cost for SLES for SAP software is a separate cost from the Amazon EC2 instance. To determine the total cost of the instance you will need to add the SLES for SAP software cost and to the Amazon EC2 Instance. The cost of the SLES for SAP software and Amazon EC2 Instance will vary based on the size of the instance you select.

SLES for SAP in the AWS Marketplace offers an hourly rate with no commitment. You can change the instance type, power-off the instance, or even terminate the instance based on your requirements. Additionally, you can purchase an annual subscription offer with a 70% discount versus the hourly rate. When you purchase an annual subscription, you make a one-time upfront payment to run the software on an instance type and then pay no hourly usage fee for the next 12 months.

Customers that purchase annual subscriptions for the SLES for SAP software will purchase Reserved Instances or Savings Plans to save on the cost of the Amazon EC2 Instance. Please not you cannot change the instance type in an annual subscription during the duration of the contract and that SLES for SAP in the Marketplace is considered a “Linux/Unix” platform.

Q. How do I purchase and launch a Reserved Instance?

You can purchase Reserved Instances (RI) through the AWS Management Console or using Amazon EC2 API tools. To learn how to purchase a reserved instance please review the article “How To Purchase Reserved Instances”.

Please note that when purchasing a Reserved Instance the platform “SUSE Linux“ only applies to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. If you are purchasing a Reserved Instance for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications or a Bring Your Own Subscription instance the “Linux/Unix” platform is the correct choice.

Q: I have an existing subscription for SUSE Linux products. Can I use my existing subscription on AWS?

Bring-Your-Own-Subscription (BYOS) is synonymous with the concept of Bring-Your-Own-License (BYOL). A BYOS image is available from the AWS Community catalog, for self-published AMI’s from SUSE. A customer is expected to bring their existing SUSE product subscriptions or acquire a new subscription from SUSE. The cost of a subscription is not included in the AWS hourly or yearly usage charge.

The Public Cloud Information Tracker webpage is maintained by a SUSE service that provides data about the images and servers SUSE publishes in support of AWS.

Q. Is SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) available on the AWS Free Tier?

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) on Amazon EC2 is included in AWS Free Tier benefits.

Q. How do I find out if I am eligible for the AWS Free Tier?

Follow the steps here to find out if you are eligible for the AWS Free Tier.

Q. How does support work for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) on Amazon EC2?

All instances of SLES on Amazon EC2 will receive updates at the same time that updates are made available from SUSE. Updates can be installed using standard SUSE systems management tools.

Additionally, SLES on Amazon EC2 is covered under AWS Premium Support. AWS Premium Support customers can contact AWS for help to resolve issues that are related to SLES on Amazon EC2. AWS Premium support will facilitate resolution with SUSE support for any issues that require escalation. AWS customers using SLES on Amazon EC2 will not contact SUSE directly unless they have purchased additional SUSE Premium Support Services.

Q. How does support work for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications (SLES for SAP) on AWS Marketplace sold by AWS?

All instances of SLES for SAP sold by AWS will receive updates at the same time that updates are made available from SUSE. Updates can be installed using standard SUSE systems management tools.

Additionally, SLES on Amazon EC2 is covered under AWS Premium Support. AWS Premium Support customers can contact AWS for help to resolve issues that are related to SLES on Amazon EC2. AWS Premium support will facilitate resolution with SUSE support for any issues that require escalation. AWS customers using SLES on Amazon EC2 will not contact SUSE directly unless they have purchased additional SUSE Premium Support Services

Q. How does the Amazon EC2 instance receive updates, patches, and security fixes for SUSE subscriptions that were purchased from AWS?

All instances running SUSE subscriptions sold by AWS are configured to automatically register with the SUSE Update Infrastructure on AWS. The SUSE Update Infrastructure provides registered instances access to updates, patches, and security fixes.

Q. How does Amazon EC2 instance with SUSE subscriptions that were purchased from AWS connect to the SUSE Update Infrastructure on AWS?

The SUSE Update Infrastructure servers are deployed in every Amazon EC2 region that SUSE has published an Amazon Machine Imagine. The SUSE Update Infrastructure requires the instance to make an Internet connection to the SUSE Update Infrastructure servers. The SUSE Linux Amazon EC2 instance can connect to the SUSE Update Infrastructure either through the VPC Internet Gateway, a proxy server, through a VPN, or Direct Connect connection to a data center that routes the update to the general internet to the SUSE Update Infrastructure servers.

Q. I have Amazon Elastic Cloud Compute (EC2) instances running SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12. Do I have to take any action?

Yes. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 (SLES 12) and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 (SLES for SAP 12) reach the end of General Support on Oct. 31, 2024. The end of general support means customers running Amazon Elastic Cloud Compute (EC2) instances with SLES 12 or SLES for SAP 12 will no longer receive technical support, access to patches, and security fixes. For a more detailed description of the SUSE lifecycle policies, please visit SUSE’s product lifecycle support policies. Customers have two options for continued support for the EC2 instances running SLES 12 Service Pack (SP) 5 or SLES for SAP 12 Service Pack (SP) 5. Note that both products share the same Linux kernel so we will refer them as SUSE Linux (SLE).

1. Upgrade to supported SLE 15 version
2. Extend the SLE 12 lifecycle with Long Term Service Pack Support (LTSS)

Q. How can I upgrade my EC2 instances to a supported SLE 15 version?

Upgrading SLE unlocks support for more instance types in the AWS Cloud and new product features. SUSE provides a series of packages and scripts called SUSE Distribution Migration System (DMS) that allows an upgrade from SLE 12 to SLE 15. When customers perform a major version upgrade from SLE 12 to SLE 15, the DMS process requires the SLES instance to be registered and connected to repository servers like SUSE Cloud Update Infrastructure (SCUI), SUSE Customer Center (SCC), or a supported repository server. Customers who purchase SLES or SLES for SAP from AWS and use the default Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) will connect to the SCUI running on AWS. 

Q. How can I get LTSS for my SLES 12 or SLES for SAP 12 PAYG instances on EC2?

Long Term Service Pack Support (LTSS) can be purchased using the SUSE Cloud Marketplace Program AWS Marketplace listing or through other SUSE reseller channels. LTSS is provided through an additional SUSE repository. Please refer to this blog from SUSE for additional details on LTSS.

SUSE has launched a feature that allows SUSE Linux Amazon Machine Images (AMI) sold by AWS to connect to an LTSS repository from the default SUSE Public Cloud Update Infrastructure with a valid LTSS subscription. The new feature will require minimal changes on the instance and eliminates the requirement for a private LTSS repository. Customers will need to purchase LTSS and can do so using SUSE’s SaaS contract listing. There is not a requirement to migrate to a new AMI.