search
HomeSystem TutorialLINUX6 Best Linux Distributions for Network Engineers

6 Best Linux Distributions for Network Engineers

Feb 05, 2024 pm 05:20 PM
linuxlinux tutoriallinux systemContainerized applicationslinux commandshell scriptgood promiseGetting started with linuxlinux learning

As a network engineer, when considering installing Linux for work, you may be faced with a question: Among the thousands of available Linux distributions, which one should you choose?

Don’t worry, you are not alone. Linux is a common operating system of choice for network engineers, and there are many distributions suitable for network-related tasks.

If you are a network engineer, you may want to know which distributions provide the best functionality at work. Here are six excellent Linux distributions that are widely recommended by network engineers:

1、Fedora

适合网络工程师的 6 个最佳 Linux 发行版

Among the many Linux distributions, Fedora is one of the most respected among network engineers, and the reason is simple.

Fedora is an open source distribution equivalent to the community edition of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). RHEL itself is often chosen as the operating system for enterprise-level systems.
As a result, network engineers using Fedora will become more familiar with the RHEL systems they encounter throughout their careers.

Fedora also provides users with an incredible library of open source tools, built-in support for containerized applications, and always access to the latest features and software.

Download: Fedora (Free)

Related: Fedora Linux 38 released https://www.linuxmi.com/fedora-linux-38.html

2、RHEL

适合网络工程师的 6 个最佳 Linux 发行版

As one of the most popular enterprise distributions, RHEL is a great choice because it is stable and hardened. Each RHEL version has a 10-year lifecycle, which means you can use the RHEL version of your choice for many years with virtually no compatibility issues.

By using RHEL, you will also become familiar with many systems you may encounter at work.

RHEL has many of the same benefits that make it attractive as an enterprise solution, but equally attractive to independent users.

RHEL comes pre-installed with the SELinux security module so you can easily start managing access control and system policies. You also get tools like Cacti and Snort through RPM and YUM package managers.

Download: RHEL (Free for developers; $179 annual fee)

Related: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.2 released https://www.linuxmi.com/red-hat-enterprise-linux-9-2.html

3. CentOS Stream

适合网络工程师的 6 个最佳 Linux 发行版

In a similar manner to Fedora, CentOS Stream is a distribution aligned with RHEL development. It serves as an upstream version of RHEL, meaning content in the latest version of CentOS Stream may appear in the next version of RHEL.

While CentOS Stream may not have the stability of Fedora, its attractive inclusion of the latest software makes it worth considering.

Due to Red Hat's decision to close public access to RHEL source code, CentOS Stream has a unique advantage in RHEL downstream releases: it will continue to be consistent with the latest experimental changes being considered for the next release of RHEL.

In the future, CentOS Stream is likely to be the best choice for those looking for a RHEL-related distribution.

Download: CentOS Stream (Free)

Related: Community enterprise operating system CentOS Stream 9 https://www.linuxmi.com/centos-stream-9.html

4、openSUSE

适合网络工程师的 6 个最佳 Linux 发行版

Another powerful and reliable option for network engineers is openSUSE. openSUSE's impressive stability and frequent new version releases make it a good choice if you like to avoid broken packages but want to take advantage of the latest software releases.

Out of the box, with YaST (Yet another Setup Tool), you won't have any problems configuring basic network settings. openSUSE comes pre-installed with many packages that provide you with incredible utilities.

For example, Wicked is a powerful network configuration framework, and Samba can perfectly realize file sharing between Linux and Windows systems. With openSUSE’s Zypper package manager, you won’t have any problems installing the right tools for the job.

Download: openSUSE (Free)

Related: openSUSE Leap 15.5 has been released https://www.linuxmi.com/opensuse-leap-15-5.html

5、Debian

适合网络工程师的 6 个最佳 Linux 发行版

Among the well-known Linux distributions, Debian is famous for its excellent stability and high performance. Debian offers several forks, including Debian Stable (extremely secure and focused on stability) and Debian Unstable (more prone to problems but offering the latest cutting-edge software releases).

One of the biggest advantages of using Debian for network engineering is that it has an incredibly package-rich repository, containing over 59,000 different packages.

If you are interested in trying out the latest professional and experimental tools in the field of networking and network security, installing Debian will provide you with full access.

Download: Debian (Free)

Related: Debian 12 is now available https://www.linuxmi.com/debian-12.html

6、Kali Linux

适合网络工程师的 6 个最佳 Linux 发行版

As a distribution designed specifically for penetration testing, Kali Linux comes pre-installed with a large number of tools that are very useful for network engineers. Wireshark can provide fascinating information about the packets moving on the network, Nmap can provide useful clues about network security, and SmokePing provides interesting visualizations of network latency.
Not all the software that comes pre-installed with Kali Linux will be useful to network engineers, but luckily, new Kali installations are fully customizable. You should plan ahead of time which packages you intend to use to avoid installing useless packages and keep clutter on your Kali system to a minimum.

Download: Kali Linux (Free)

Related: Kali Linux 2023.2 released https://www.linuxmi.com/kali-linux-2023-2.html

Get familiar with your new web distribution

While some Linux distributions are better suited for network engineers, almost any Linux distribution can be used with the right software and configuration.

To avoid future difficulties, you should test using software like Nmap on new Linux distributions and become familiar with networking. This way, you avoid facing obstacles due to a lack of familiarity.

The above is the detailed content of 6 Best Linux Distributions for Network Engineers. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

Statement
This article is reproduced at:良许Linux教程网. If there is any infringement, please contact admin@php.cn delete
What are the main tasks of a Linux system administrator?What are the main tasks of a Linux system administrator?Apr 19, 2025 am 12:23 AM

The main tasks of Linux system administrators include system monitoring and performance tuning, user management, software package management, security management and backup, troubleshooting and resolution, performance optimization and best practices. 1. Use top, htop and other tools to monitor system performance and tune it. 2. Manage user accounts and permissions through useradd commands and other commands. 3. Use apt and yum to manage software packages to ensure system updates and security. 4. Configure a firewall, monitor logs, and perform data backup to ensure system security. 5. Troubleshoot and resolve through log analysis and tool use. 6. Optimize kernel parameters and application configuration, and follow best practices to improve system performance and stability.

Is it hard to learn Linux?Is it hard to learn Linux?Apr 18, 2025 am 12:23 AM

Learning Linux is not difficult. 1.Linux is an open source operating system based on Unix and is widely used in servers, embedded systems and personal computers. 2. Understanding file system and permission management is the key. The file system is hierarchical, and permissions include reading, writing and execution. 3. Package management systems such as apt and dnf make software management convenient. 4. Process management is implemented through ps and top commands. 5. Start learning from basic commands such as mkdir, cd, touch and nano, and then try advanced usage such as shell scripts and text processing. 6. Common errors such as permission problems can be solved through sudo and chmod. 7. Performance optimization suggestions include using htop to monitor resources, cleaning unnecessary files, and using sy

What is the salary of Linux administrator?What is the salary of Linux administrator?Apr 17, 2025 am 12:24 AM

The average annual salary of Linux administrators is $75,000 to $95,000 in the United States and €40,000 to €60,000 in Europe. To increase salary, you can: 1. Continuously learn new technologies, such as cloud computing and container technology; 2. Accumulate project experience and establish Portfolio; 3. Establish a professional network and expand your network.

What is the main purpose of Linux?What is the main purpose of Linux?Apr 16, 2025 am 12:19 AM

The main uses of Linux include: 1. Server operating system, 2. Embedded system, 3. Desktop operating system, 4. Development and testing environment. Linux excels in these areas, providing stability, security and efficient development tools.

Does the internet run on Linux?Does the internet run on Linux?Apr 14, 2025 am 12:03 AM

The Internet does not rely on a single operating system, but Linux plays an important role in it. Linux is widely used in servers and network devices and is popular for its stability, security and scalability.

What are Linux operations?What are Linux operations?Apr 13, 2025 am 12:20 AM

The core of the Linux operating system is its command line interface, which can perform various operations through the command line. 1. File and directory operations use ls, cd, mkdir, rm and other commands to manage files and directories. 2. User and permission management ensures system security and resource allocation through useradd, passwd, chmod and other commands. 3. Process management uses ps, kill and other commands to monitor and control system processes. 4. Network operations include ping, ifconfig, ssh and other commands to configure and manage network connections. 5. System monitoring and maintenance use commands such as top, df, du to understand the system's operating status and resource usage.

Boost Productivity with Custom Command Shortcuts Using Linux AliasesBoost Productivity with Custom Command Shortcuts Using Linux AliasesApr 12, 2025 am 11:43 AM

Introduction Linux is a powerful operating system favored by developers, system administrators, and power users due to its flexibility and efficiency. However, frequently using long and complex commands can be tedious and er

What is Linux actually good for?What is Linux actually good for?Apr 12, 2025 am 12:20 AM

Linux is suitable for servers, development environments, and embedded systems. 1. As a server operating system, Linux is stable and efficient, and is often used to deploy high-concurrency applications. 2. As a development environment, Linux provides efficient command line tools and package management systems to improve development efficiency. 3. In embedded systems, Linux is lightweight and customizable, suitable for environments with limited resources.

See all articles

Hot AI Tools

Undresser.AI Undress

Undresser.AI Undress

AI-powered app for creating realistic nude photos

AI Clothes Remover

AI Clothes Remover

Online AI tool for removing clothes from photos.

Undress AI Tool

Undress AI Tool

Undress images for free

Clothoff.io

Clothoff.io

AI clothes remover

Video Face Swap

Video Face Swap

Swap faces in any video effortlessly with our completely free AI face swap tool!

Hot Tools

MinGW - Minimalist GNU for Windows

MinGW - Minimalist GNU for Windows

This project is in the process of being migrated to osdn.net/projects/mingw, you can continue to follow us there. MinGW: A native Windows port of the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC), freely distributable import libraries and header files for building native Windows applications; includes extensions to the MSVC runtime to support C99 functionality. All MinGW software can run on 64-bit Windows platforms.

Dreamweaver Mac version

Dreamweaver Mac version

Visual web development tools

Safe Exam Browser

Safe Exam Browser

Safe Exam Browser is a secure browser environment for taking online exams securely. This software turns any computer into a secure workstation. It controls access to any utility and prevents students from using unauthorized resources.

SublimeText3 Mac version

SublimeText3 Mac version

God-level code editing software (SublimeText3)

ZendStudio 13.5.1 Mac

ZendStudio 13.5.1 Mac

Powerful PHP integrated development environment