Amazon Linux 2
Operating systems
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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What is Amazon Linux 2
Amazon Linux 2 is a Linux-based operating system distribution maintained by Amazon Web Services (AWS) for running server and cloud workloads. It is primarily used to host applications on Amazon EC2 and other AWS compute services, and it can also be installed in on-premises or virtualized environments. The distribution uses RPM packages and systemd, and it is designed to align with AWS tooling and repositories for patching and package management.
Tight AWS service integration
Amazon Linux 2 is commonly used as a default or well-supported option for AWS compute services, which simplifies provisioning and operational alignment in AWS environments. It works smoothly with AWS-specific agents and integrations (for example, common management and monitoring agents used on EC2). This can reduce the amount of OS customization needed compared with more general-purpose distributions when the workload is AWS-centric.
Familiar RHEL-like ecosystem
The distribution uses RPM packaging and systemd, which aligns with operational practices used in many enterprise Linux environments. This can ease administration for teams familiar with RHEL-style tooling and conventions. It also supports common server workloads and languages typically deployed on Linux servers.
Long-term maintenance model
Amazon Linux 2 follows a long-term support approach intended for stable server deployments. This helps organizations standardize on a consistent base image for production workloads over multiple years. The model supports regular security updates and controlled change management compared with faster-moving community distributions.
AWS-centric distribution focus
Amazon Linux 2 is optimized for AWS usage patterns, and some organizations may find fewer benefits when running primarily outside AWS. In mixed-cloud or on-prem environments, teams may prefer distributions with broader third-party certification and ecosystem focus. This can affect standardization decisions when portability across infrastructure providers is a priority.
Smaller community footprint
Compared with widely adopted general-purpose Linux distributions, Amazon Linux 2 has a narrower community and fewer independent resources. Troubleshooting guidance, third-party repositories, and community-maintained packages may be less extensive. Organizations may rely more on AWS documentation and AWS support channels.
Not a desktop OS choice
Amazon Linux 2 is primarily positioned for server workloads rather than end-user desktops. Organizations looking for a polished desktop experience, broad hardware enablement for consumer devices, or mobile/endpoint features typically select other operating systems. This limits its suitability for general endpoint standardization.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Linux 2 | No additional charge (free to use) | Provided as an Amazon Machine Image (AMI), container image, and VM for on‑premises development. AWS provides security and maintenance updates; standard Amazon EC2 and other AWS service charges apply. |
Seller details
Amazon Web Services, Inc.
Seattle, Washington, USA
2006
Subsidiary
https://aws.amazon.com/
https://x.com/awscloud
https://www.linkedin.com/company/amazon-web-services/
