SAS Viya Cloud

Basic Information

• Model: SAS Viya Cloud
• Version: SAS Viya offers two release cadences: Stable (monthly releases, e.g., 2025.01) and Long-Term Support (LTS) (approximately every six months, e.g., 2025.03, 2025.09). The latest stable release contains the most up-to-date features, enhancements, bug fixes, and security patches.
• Release Date: SAS Viya was initially released in 2016. Viya 4, a cloud-native, container/Kubernetes-based version, was released in late 2020.
• Minimum Requirements: SAS Viya Cloud is a cloud-native platform, and its requirements are primarily defined by the underlying cloud infrastructure and Kubernetes environment. For a small deployment (up to 8 concurrent users, 2-5 GB datasets), recommended resources include 16 GB RAM and 4 vCPUs per stateless instance, and 200 GiB disk space per instance. The CAS server requires a minimum of 4 licensed CPU cores.
• Supported Operating Systems: For deployment, SAS Viya 4 runs on supported flavors of Linux, specifically on Kubernetes providers like Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Red Hat OpenShift. Earlier versions like SAS Viya 3.5 support Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7.1+, 8.2+ and Oracle Enterprise Linux (OEL) 7.1+, 8.2+, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12.2+. Client access is supported from UNIX 64-bit, Windows 64-bit, and Apple OS X 10.10+ operating systems via web browsers.
• Latest Stable Version: The latest stable version follows a `yyyy.mm` format, with monthly releases. For example, Stable 2025.11 is scheduled for November 2025.
• End of Support Date: Standard Support for SAS Viya 3.5 deployments that meet specific criteria (e.g., running revision 24w44 or later on Linux) is extended until October 1, 2027. Other SAS Viya 3.x deployments entered Limited Support as of February 1, 2025. Deployments on Windows for SAS Viya 3.5 entered Limited Support from SAS in 2025.
• End of Life Date: Specific end-of-life dates for SAS Viya Cloud as a whole are not explicitly stated, but support policies for specific versions and underlying operating systems are provided. SAS 9.4, an older platform, has standard support up to January 1, 2025, with maintenance releases extending support for specific versions.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not explicitly stated; updates are delivered continuously for the Stable cadence and every six months for LTS.
• License Type: Commercial license, typically offered through subscription models, including pay-as-you-use models on cloud marketplaces.
• Deployment Model: Cloud-native, primarily deployed on major cloud providers (Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google Cloud) and Red Hat OpenShift, utilizing Kubernetes for orchestration. It also supports hybrid environments.

Analysis of Basic Information

SAS Viya Cloud is a modern, cloud-native analytics and AI platform designed for scalability and flexibility. Its continuous release model (Stable cadence) ensures users have access to the latest features and security updates, while the LTS cadence provides stability for enterprise deployments. The platform's reliance on Kubernetes and major cloud providers highlights its focus on cloud-first strategies. Support for older versions like Viya 3.x is transitioning to limited support, emphasizing the move towards the latest cloud-native architecture. Licensing is commercial, adapting to cloud consumption models.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Minimum 4 GB for Programming Runtime, with SAS recommending at least 16 GB or 4 GB per CPU core. For stateless instances in a small deployment, 16 GB per instance is recommended. The CAS server's RAM needs depend on data volume and user activity, starting at less than 1 GB out-of-the-box.
• Processor: Minimum 2 cores for Programming Runtime, with 4 cores recommended for optimal performance. The CAS server is licensed by CPU core, with a minimum of 4 cores. SAS Viya has been tested with Intel Xeon E3-E7 series and newer Intel Xeon Scalable Processors, and supports 64-bit AMD chipsets. VM instances with Intel chips are recommended for faster performance.
• Storage: Minimum 50 GB to 90 GB for installation and startup, but logs and operational data require significantly more. For stateless instances, 200 GiB per instance is recommended for boot volume and system logs.
• Display: Not directly applicable to the cloud platform itself; client access uses standard web browsers.
• Ports: Specific network ports are required for communication between microservices and external access, typically managed within the Kubernetes environment.
• Operating System: Linux-based for deployment on Kubernetes (Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Oracle Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server). Client access supports UNIX, Windows, and Apple OS X.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

SAS Viya Cloud's technical requirements are primarily driven by its cloud-native, Kubernetes-based architecture. While minimums are provided, SAS emphasizes that performance scales with allocated resources, particularly RAM and CPU cores. The platform is designed to run on robust 64-bit x86_64 chipsets, with a preference for Intel processors for optimal performance. Storage needs are dynamic, growing with data volume and activity. The core deployment environment is Linux on Kubernetes, reflecting a modern cloud infrastructure approach.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: SAS Viya offers monthly Stable releases and bi-annual Long-Term Support (LTS) releases.
• OS Support: Deployment on Linux distributions (Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Oracle Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server) within Kubernetes environments. Client access from UNIX, Windows, and Apple OS X via web browsers.
• End of Support Date: Standard Support for qualifying SAS Viya 3.5 Linux deployments extends to October 1, 2027. Other 3.x deployments and Windows deployments for 3.5 transitioned to Limited Support in 2025.
• Localization: Not explicitly detailed in search results, but as an enterprise platform, it typically supports multiple languages.
• Available Drivers: SAS Viya connects to various data sources using data connectors, supporting traditional SAS tables, XML, JSON, CSV, XLSX, relational databases, and Hadoop.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

SAS Viya Cloud demonstrates strong compatibility with modern cloud ecosystems, leveraging Kubernetes for deployment across major cloud providers. Its support for various Linux distributions as the host OS ensures broad infrastructure flexibility. While older versions (Viya 3.x) are phasing out of standard support, the focus is clearly on the continuously updated Viya 4. Client compatibility is broad, relying on web browser access. The platform's ability to integrate with diverse data sources through connectors is a key strength, enabling comprehensive analytics across an enterprise's data landscape.

Security Status

• Security Features: SAS Viya provides a broad security framework including user authentication and identification, role-based access control, and secure communication. It supports a multi-layered defense approach.
• Known Vulnerabilities: SAS regularly delivers security patches and updates through its Stable and LTS release cadences.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable for a software platform.
• Certifications: Specific certifications (e.g., ISO, SOC 2) are not explicitly listed in the provided search results, but enterprise software typically adheres to industry compliance standards.
• Encryption Support: Supports encryption for data at rest and data in motion. Data at rest uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with 256-bit keys for files in SASHDAT format and tables in caslibs (PATH and DNFS caslibs). Encryption for data at rest is not enabled by default. Data in motion is secured using Transport Layer Security (TLS), supporting TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 with various cipher suites.
• Authentication Methods: Supports multiple third-party authentication options, including LDAP (default), Kerberos, OAuth 2.0 with OpenID Connect (OIDC), and Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML). Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and Conditional Access Policies are typically implemented through an Identity Provider (IdP) that supports these features.
• General Recommendations: SAS recommends hardening security by blocking external connections to certain ports, adding custom certificates, and upgrading security protocols and ciphers.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

SAS Viya Cloud offers a robust security posture, integrating comprehensive features for authentication, authorization, and data protection. It employs industry-standard encryption (AES-256 for data at rest, TLS 1.2/1.3 for data in motion) and supports a variety of enterprise-grade authentication mechanisms, including SSO and MFA via IdPs. While encryption for data at rest is configurable and not enabled by default, the capabilities are present. Regular security updates are part of its release strategy. The platform's design emphasizes secure integration within cloud environments.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Not explicitly detailed in public search results, but SAS conducts rigorous performance testing with various hardware combinations.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Users praise its fast processing and scalability for large datasets, enabling efficient multitasking and accelerated analytics. The in-memory CAS engine and parallel processing capabilities contribute to enhanced execution speed.
• Power Consumption: Not directly applicable to the software itself, as it runs on cloud infrastructure. Power consumption and carbon footprint are dependent on the underlying cloud provider's efficiency.
• Carbon Footprint: Not directly applicable to the software.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: SAS Viya is recognized for bringing together advanced analytics, AI, and data management in a cloud-native platform, supporting open-source integration (R, Python, Jupyter, Lua) and offering visual interfaces. It is seen as a powerful tool for complex data analysis, competing with other analytics and AI platforms.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

SAS Viya Cloud is designed for high performance, particularly in handling large-scale data analytics and AI workloads. Its cloud-native architecture, in-memory processing (CAS engine), and parallel processing capabilities contribute to its speed and scalability. User feedback consistently highlights its efficiency and ability to accelerate insights. While specific benchmark numbers are not readily available in public searches, the architectural design and user experiences indicate strong real-world performance, especially when deployed on optimized cloud infrastructure.

User Reviews & Feedback

• Strengths:
  • Advanced analytics, AI, and data management in one cloud-native platform.
  • Scalability, speed, and collaborative tools.
  • Visual interfaces and support for various programming languages (R, Python, SAS, Lua).
  • Ease of use, especially for those familiar with SAS Studio or Guide.
  • Accelerated analytics and reporting for faster insights from large datasets.
  • Seamless integration with open-source languages.
  • Efficient model design, deployment, and monitoring.
  • Responsive customer support.
  • Intuitive and user-friendly interface.
• Weaknesses:
  • High cost can be a significant barrier.
  • Steep learning curve, especially for beginners or those transitioning from SAS 9.4.
  • Complexity in initial setup and configuration.
  • Potential access issues with certain content.
  • Integration challenges when transitioning from SAS 9.4 due to perceived lack of support.
• Recommended Use Cases:
  • Large-scale analytics projects.
  • Data-intensive environments requiring faster data processing and efficient model deployment.
  • Organizations seeking to operationalize insights and empower collaboration between data scientists, analysts, and business users.
  • Predictive modeling and fraud detection.
  • Biostatistics and other fields requiring advanced analytics and machine learning.

Analysis of User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews for SAS Viya Cloud are generally positive, highlighting its strength as a comprehensive, scalable, and powerful analytics and AI platform. Its cloud-native architecture and support for open-source languages are frequently praised for enhancing flexibility and collaboration. The platform's ease of use for experienced users and its ability to handle large datasets efficiently are also significant advantages. However, common criticisms revolve around its high cost and a perceived steep learning curve, particularly for new users or those migrating from older SAS versions. Initial setup complexity is also noted. Despite these challenges, users recommend it for organizations needing advanced, data-driven decision-making capabilities across various industries.

Summary

SAS Viya Cloud is a robust, cloud-native artificial intelligence, analytics, and data management platform from SAS Institute. It is designed for scalability and efficiency, leveraging Kubernetes for deployment across major cloud providers like Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud. The platform operates on a continuous release schedule, offering monthly Stable versions for the latest features and bi-annual Long-Term Support (LTS) versions for stability, ensuring users benefit from ongoing enhancements and security updates.

Technically, SAS Viya Cloud requires substantial resources, with recommendations for RAM and CPU cores scaling with workload and user activity, typically starting with a minimum of 4 GB RAM and 2-4 CPU cores for basic components, and significantly more for production environments. It supports 64-bit x86_64 Linux operating systems for deployment and offers broad client access via web browsers on UNIX, Windows, and Apple OS X.

The platform boasts a strong security framework, including AES-256 encryption for data at rest (though not enabled by default) and TLS 1.2/1.3 for data in motion. It supports diverse authentication methods such as LDAP, Kerberos, OAuth/OpenID Connect, and SAML, facilitating integration with enterprise identity management systems and enabling features like SSO and MFA. Performance is a key strength, with users reporting fast processing, scalability, and efficient handling of large datasets, attributed to its in-memory CAS engine and parallel processing capabilities.

User feedback highlights its advanced analytics, AI, and data management capabilities, alongside its collaborative tools and support for open-source languages (R, Python, Lua). Strengths include ease of use for experienced users, accelerated insights, and responsive customer support. However, significant weaknesses are its high cost and a steep learning curve, particularly for new users or those migrating from older SAS versions, as well as initial setup complexity.

In assessment, SAS Viya Cloud is an enterprise-grade analytics powerhouse, ideal for organizations requiring robust, scalable, and secure solutions for complex data analysis, AI, and machine learning. Its cloud-native architecture positions it well for modern data strategies. While the investment in cost and learning curve can be substantial, the benefits in terms of advanced capabilities, performance, and flexibility often outweigh these challenges for suitable use cases. Recommendations include careful consideration of resource allocation to optimize performance and leveraging SAS's support resources to navigate deployment and adoption. The platform is particularly well-suited for large enterprises looking to operationalize insights and integrate diverse analytical workflows.

Information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.