SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP4

Basic information

• Model: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)
• Version: 10 Service Pack 4 (SP4)
• Release Date: April 12, 2011.
• Minimum Requirements: Specific minimum requirements for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP4 are not readily available. However, for SLES 10, systems with more than 48GB of memory are not supported on i586 and i686 architectures, and 16GB-48GB can lead to instabilities, implying lower typical requirements.
• Supported Architectures: x86, x86-64, IBM Power, IBM System z (s390x).
• Latest Stable Version: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP4 is the final service pack for the SLES 10 major release.
• End of General Support Date: July 31, 2013.
• End of Life Date: July 30, 2016, which aligns with the end of Long Term Service Pack Support (LTSS).
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Auto-updates ceased with the end of General Support on July 31, 2013, and completely with the end of LTSS on July 30, 2016.
• License Type: Commercial, subscription-based for enterprise use. It includes components licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
• Deployment Model: Supports deployment on physical servers, virtualized environments (low and high density), and can function as a virtualization host. Installation methods include DVD and network-based (PXE).

Technical Requirements

• RAM: For SLES 10 on i586 and i686 machines, memory configurations between 16GB and 48GB may experience instabilities, and more than 48GB is unsupported. This suggests typical stable operation with less than 16GB RAM.
• Processor: Supports x86, x86-64, IBM Power, and IBM System z (s390x) architectures.
• Storage: Requires sufficient disk space for the operating system and applications. For a much later version (SLES 16), 2 GiB is minimum, with 8.5 GiB recommended for all patterns and 32 GiB for snapshot/rollback. SLES 10 SP4 would require less.
• Display: Basic VGA display for installation and console access.
• Ports: Network interface cards are essential for server connectivity. USB ports support installation media.
• Operating System: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP4 is an operating system itself, designed to run directly on compatible hardware.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP4 is designed for diverse server hardware, supporting multiple processor architectures including x86, x86-64, IBM Power, and IBM System z. Its memory requirements are modest by current standards, reflecting its release era. While specific minimums are not explicitly detailed for SP4, the platform is optimized for server workloads, prioritizing stability and compatibility with enterprise-grade hardware.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP4 is the final service pack for the SLES 10 series.
• OS Support: Runs on various hardware architectures, including x86, x86-64, IBM Power, and IBM System z.
• End of Support Date: General Support ended on July 31, 2013. Long Term Service Pack Support (LTSS) concluded on July 30, 2016.
• Localization: The system offers multilingual support, with documentation and release notes available in various languages.
• Available Drivers: Includes a range of updated network and storage drivers, such as those for Brocade, LSI, and Dell PERC controllers. Specific hardware may require driver update disks during installation.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP4 is an end-of-life product. Both general support and extended long-term support have ceased. This means no further official maintenance, security updates, or technical assistance are provided by SUSE. While it historically offered broad hardware compatibility and multilingual support, its current unsupported status poses significant operational and security risks.

Security Status

• Security Features: Incorporates AppArmor for intrusion prevention and application confinement. It supports disk encryption using "cryptoloop" with the twofish256 algorithm.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Numerous Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) have been identified for SLES 10 SP4 LTSS over its lifetime. Systems still running SLES 10 are known to have serious security vulnerabilities.
• Blacklist Status: Not officially blacklisted, but its end-of-life status and unpatched vulnerabilities make it highly insecure for any internet-facing or sensitive production environment.
• Certifications: Specific certifications for SLES 10 SP4 are not readily available. Newer SUSE Linux Enterprise versions have achieved Common Criteria certifications.
• Encryption Support: Features full disk encryption capabilities via cryptoloop (twofish256) and allows for encrypting partitions and individual files using tools like YaST or GPG.
• Authentication Methods: Supports various authentication mechanisms including PAM, NIS, LDAP, Kerberos, and Active Directory integration.
• General Recommendations: Immediate migration to a currently supported SUSE Linux Enterprise Server version is strongly recommended due to critical unpatched security vulnerabilities.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

The overall security rating for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP4 is critically low. As an end-of-life product, it no longer receives security patches or updates, leaving it exposed to a multitude of known and potentially unknown vulnerabilities. While it included advanced security features like AppArmor and disk encryption at its release, these are insufficient to protect against modern threats without ongoing maintenance. Continued use in production environments is highly discouraged due to severe security risks.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Specific benchmark scores for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP4 are not widely available in current public records.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Detailed real-world performance metrics are not readily available due to the age of the product.
• Power Consumption: Information on power consumption metrics is not available.
• Carbon Footprint: Data regarding the carbon footprint of the asset is not available.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: During its active lifecycle, SLES 10 SP4 competed with other enterprise Linux distributions of its era, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It was recognized for its stability and broad hardware vendor support.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

Given its age, specific performance benchmarks for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP4 are difficult to ascertain. Historically, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server products were designed for robust, stable performance in enterprise environments, supporting a wide range of hardware from major vendors. While it delivered competitive performance for its time, direct comparisons with modern operating systems or current benchmarks are not relevant due to significant advancements in hardware and software technology.

User Reviews & Feedback

Specific user reviews and feedback for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP4 are not widely available in current public domains. During its active support period, SUSE Linux Enterprise products were generally regarded for their stability, comprehensive system management tools (like YaST), and strong enterprise-level support. Strengths included its reliability for critical server workloads and broad hardware compatibility. Weaknesses, from a contemporary perspective, are overwhelmingly its end-of-life status, which means a complete lack of security updates and official support. Recommended use cases are limited to legacy systems that cannot be upgraded, with a strong recommendation for isolation from networks and immediate migration planning.

Summary

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP4 was a significant enterprise-grade operating system during its active lifecycle, released in April 2011. It provided a robust platform for various server workloads, supporting diverse architectures including x86, x86-64, IBM Power, and IBM System z. Key strengths included its stability, comprehensive system management tools, and integrated security features like AppArmor and disk encryption (cryptoloop).

However, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP4 has reached its end of life. General support ended in July 2013, and Long Term Service Pack Support (LTSS) concluded in July 2016. This unsupported status is its most critical weakness, rendering it highly vulnerable to modern security threats due to the absence of ongoing security patches and maintenance. While it historically offered strong compatibility and performance for its era, these advantages are now overshadowed by its severe security posture.

For any organization currently utilizing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP4, the unequivocal recommendation is to plan and execute an immediate migration to a currently supported version of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. Continued operation of SLES 10 SP4 in production environments, especially those connected to external networks or handling sensitive data, poses unacceptable security and compliance risks. If immediate migration is not feasible, strict network isolation and other compensatory controls are essential, though these do not substitute for a full upgrade.

The 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.