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In such a variable technological world, where we have cloud computing and containerization, Linux is still at the top of modern web infrastructure. There are lots of reasons why VPS on Linux is so popular, and here we will discuss several major reasons in detail.

Open-source nature and community support

Probably, one of the major explanations for Linux’s popularity is its open-source nature. The global community was and still is impacting the development of this system. Here are a couple of reasons why the open-source nature should be considered a major advantage:

Community. Because of the availability of community support, the Linux system is always changing and improving. With thousands of professionals who are constantly working on bug fixes, quick updates to the system, and feature improvements, this approach is extremely effective.
Price. Because Linux is free, users don’t need to invest in the licensing costs.
Transparency. Public availability of the source code makes such an approach way more transparent. That means lots of companies can use it and audit for security risks if necessary.

Reliability and stability

Comparing with other available systems, Linux is more reliable in a server environment. Diversity of the biggest services and platforms, such as Amazon and Google, are functioning on Linux servers because of its possibility to deal with massive workloads.

Here are several reasons why Linux is considered to be such a reliable and stable option:

Performance. Linux system guarantees consistent performance and resource efficiency.
Uptime. A Linux server can function for a prolonged time period without the necessity in reboot.
Long-term support. The availability of long-term support and regular updates ensures a significantly higher security level.  

Security and access control

The Linux system is based on UNIX principles, which has way fewer vulnerabilities. There are limitations to access, serious permission models, and the availability of user roles.

Security tools and a firewall. There are accessible options such as AppArmor, UFW, and SELinux. With the help of such tools, it is possible to get much better control over the diversity of processes.
Security updates. Because of the active community support, all the security vulnerabilities are quickly identified and fixed.

Customization and flexibility

Probably, the major benefit of Linux is its flexibility. Linux offers access to the customization of the configuration. Here are some options that can be easily chosen with this system:

Choice of the distributions. Depending on the users’ needs, there are lots of Linux distros. There are more lightweight versions, enterprise-grade options, and a variety of others.
Package management varies depending on the distro, and each option gives an easy way to install and manage software.
Kernel customization. For adding certain features and optimizing performance, it is possible to customize the kernel.

Container and cloud environment

The most popular services and cloud infrastructure are built on Linux. Moreover, providers such as Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS, on the default offerings, have Linux-based options.

Kubernetes and Docker are built on Linux. Because of the efficient resource management and lightweight nature of Linux, it is an ideal variant for containerized apps.
Cloud services compatibility. Most Linux distros are compatible with cloud environments, so that you have access to the pre-configured images.
Serverless computing. Linux is an ideal variant for serverless platforms that require quicker scaling.

Built-in automation

Linux functions based on scripts, and that’s why even the most challenging tasks can be easily done with easy scripting. For instance, if there is a necessity to make the update access all the infrastructure, it can be easily achieved with scripting. Also, the monitoring processes can be done with the help of scripting.

With Linux, there is no need to waste lots of time and resources on manual work, because most processes can be easily automated. The command-line tool is considered to be really powerful options.

Adaptability of Linux system

The Linux community is extremely progressive in all the new approaches and technologies. For instance, they were the first in containers, edge computing, ARM processors, and IoT devices.

AI and machine learning. The powerful resources of Linux make it an ideal environment for AI workloads.
Blockchain. Most of the blockchain nodes function based on Linux due to its performance, security, and stability.
Linux-based OSs are widely used on IoT devices. Due to the support of different hardware platforms, the OS is an awesome choice for IoT apps.  

Summing up

Linux dominates modern web infrastructure for a number of reasons, and the major ones are: its adaptability, built-in automation, customization, access control, security, community support, and open-source nature. It is a great choice not only for the small platforms, but for blockchain networks, cloud infrastructure, and some AI tasks.