I'm trying to choose between the RedHat and SuSE distributions of Linux for use in a dedicated-server environment. I'd quite like to try SuSE but I'm concerned that this will severly limit my options when it comes to choosing a service-provider.

Is this a worthwhile concern? Do most providers of dedicated-servers insist on one flavour of Linux (usually RedHat it would seem)?

TIA,

Richard

no insult intended but I think suse linux is more for the inexperienced local user from what ive seen its got alot of "wizard" features to make it more like windows, but all of those features are wasted as a dedicated server because you can only access it via a terminal anyways.

just IMHO, other people may have more experienced advice than me on this subject.

We've got one customer using SuSE Linux on his dedicated machine. Honestly, I had never touched it before, but the administration is _very_ nice (in terminal mode that is). It reminds me of FreeBSD's administration in a way. I definitely like it more than Red Hat anyway (I like just about anything more than Red Hat). Although 7.2 does have some nice features. :)

The main reason why most providers only have a few OSes available is because they all differ in their own little ways. The admins would have to spend time to figure out what each OS wants and how it wants it. It could end up being a pain and costly on a large-scale, but for smaller dedicated providers I don't see the problem.