Test drive SUSE Enterprise Linux on Azure cloud for free

Linux vendor SUSE today announced it has joined Microsoft’s Enterprise Cloud Alliance to bring cloud-based SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) to enterprise customers using the Microsoft Azure cloud platform.

SUSE is also offering a free test drive of SLES for High Performance Computing (HPC) through the Azure Marketplace.

“SUSE’s growth on Azure means more options for customers,” said Naji Almahmoud, vice president of cloud and software alliances for SUSE in a press statement. “It is yet another indicator of SUSE’s commitment to helping enterprise customers be successful.”

It is also an indicator of the growing importance of Linux to Microsoft. According to Mark Russinovich, CTO of Microsoft Azure, the share of Azure virtual machines running Linux rose from 1:4 to nearly 1:3 in the past year.

And Microsoft has been investing heavily in Linux. The Windows maker not only developed a Linux based operating system for its Azure networking switch, but it also used Linux to deploy its big data application, HDInsight.

“The Enterprise Cloud Alliance provides the opportunity to enhance our strategic relationship with SUSE and increase awareness of SUSE Linux Enterprise for customers searching for best-in-class enterprise solutions,” said Nicole Herskowitz, senior director of product marketing, Microsoft Azure said in a statement. “SUSE is one of the first open source vendors to join the Microsoft Partner Network and the Enterprise Cloud Alliance and provide the benefits of open source technology in Microsoft Azure.”