1 Getting started #
SUSE—together with the cloud service providers—offers different products and plans to cater to a variety of use cases. Find out which works best for you.
1.1 Products #
The following SUSE products are available for public cloud:
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing
SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications
SUSE Manager Server
SUSE Manager Proxy
openSUSE Leap
To constantly adjust and improve SUSE's offerings, availability of products and versions is subject to change and may differ between cloud frameworks.
1.2 Cloud service providers #
SUSE publishes product images in the following cloud service provider frameworks:
Amazon Web Services
Microsoft Azure
Google Cloud
SUSE images are also available in other provider frameworks. Images in other providers are generally created and published by the provider.
Please note that this list may change. If you are interested in becoming a SUSE partner, visit https://www.suse.com/partners/cloud-service-providers/ for more information.
1.3 Plans #
SUSE—together with the cloud service providers—offers different plans to cater to a variety of use cases. While details differ depending on the cloud framework, usually there are two types of subscriptions.
- Pay as you go (PAYG)
Pay as you go(PAYG) images are used to create on-demand instances. When an instance is first booted, it automatically registers with a local update server. Once the system finishes booting, it is ready to use.Create an instance when you need it and delete it when you are done. While in use, you have access to updates from SUSE through the automatically configured repositories. You only pay for the resources you use. Upcharges over the basic cloud prices may apply, depending on the image and framework.
PAYG instances include support through the cloud provider which in turn is supported by SUSE. Microsoft Azure also offers a basic PAYG image that only includes updates. Instances created from this image are not eligible for support.
- Bring your own subscription (BYOS)
Bring your own subscription(BYOS) images are useful if you already have a support contract with SUSE and want to move your workloads to the public cloud. An instance launched from a BYOS image is equivalent to a physical machine that just received a SUSE Linux Enterprise Server installation from the SLES installation image. After creation, useregistercloudguestto register the instance with the SUSE-operated update infrastructure in the cloud framework or use theSUSEConnectto register the system with SUSE Customer Center using the entitlements you already have. Connect your system to your own running RMT or SUSE Manager infrastructure in the same way you connect systems in your data center.BYOS instances make it easier to manage extensions such as LTSS or kernel live-patching. Extensions for PAYG instances can only be used in conjunction with SUSE Manager.
In summary, if you already have a direct relationship with SUSE you generally want to start out with BYOS. You can still use PAYG for on-demand excess capacity.
Table 1.1: Feature comparison #
|
Plan |
Pay as you go (PAYG) |
Bring your own subscription (BYOS) |
|---|---|---|
|
Customer relationship |
with cloud provider |
with cloud provider and SUSE |
|
Pricing |
per use |
per instance and license |
|
Registration |
with a local update server upon instance creation |
with your RMT or SUSE Manager infrastructure or directly with the SUSE Customer Center |
|
Support |
L1 and L2 support by cloud provider, L3 by SUSE |
Full support by SUSE directly |
|
Extended ESPOS1 or LTSS2 or support |
only if included in image base product |
available |
|
Extensions |
only with SUSE Manager |
no limitations |
| 1 ESPOS: Extended Service Pack Overlay Support |
| 2 LTSS: Long-Term Service Pack Support |
Important: Switching plans
Switching from PAYG to BYOS or vice-versa is only possible on Microsoft Azure
through the Hybrid Benefit program. For all other cloud
providers, you remain on the plan you initially selected for as long as the
instance is running. The only way to switch plans is to start with the
other image and rebuild your system.
Important: Do not register PAYG instances with the SUSE Customer Center
Registering PAYG instances with the SUSE Customer Center or your own RMT server will create conflicts that are not easily solved. Only register BYOS instances. PAYG instances are automatically registered against the correct update server.
1.4 Supported instance types #
To find out what types of instances are supported by each provider, refer to the SUSE Public Cloud Instance Support Matrix. Select your SUSE Linux Enterprise product and your cloud provider to see a list of supported instance types.
1.5 Support #
Regardless of the public cloud you use and the plan you choose, SUSE has you covered with support. Support is dependent on whether you "bring your own subscription" (BYOS) or you use SUSE Linux Enterprise "on-demand" (PAYG). For more information about BYOS and PAYG, refer to Section 1.3, “Plans”.
PAYG instances include support through the cloud provider which in turn is supported by SUSE. If you have a problem, always contact your cloud service provider for assistance. They provide 1st and 2nd level support, SUSE will provide level 3 if necessary.
Important: Microsoft Azure basic images
Microsoft Azure also offers a basic PAYG image that only includes updates. Instances created from this image are not eligible for support.
BYOS instances are supported by SUSE under the terms of your SUSE subscription. For an overview of SUSE's support subscriptions, refer to https://www.suse.com/support/.
For more information, refer to the SUSE Technical Support Policy and the support statement for SUSE Linux Enterprise in Appendix A, Support.
For information on how to contact the SUSE support team and report problems, refer to the SUSE Technical Support Guide.