What is Amazon Linux?
Amazon Linux is a Linux distribution developed and maintained by AWS, specifically optimized for running in the AWS Cloud. The distribution offers multi-year support, timely security updates, and tight integration with AWS services and tools such as the AWS CLI and SSM Agent.
Amazon Linux 2023 (AL2023) is the current generation, with a release model built around major versions and regular, quarterly minor releases. This enables controlled, deterministic upgrades without unexpected changes in production; AMIs are locked to a specific package repository version by default. AWS plans to support AL2023 until June 2029. The predecessor, Amazon Linux 2 (AL2), reached regular end of support on June 30, 2026, so any remaining AL2 workloads should be migrated to AL2023 promptly.
Core Features
- AWS Optimization: Kernel and packages tuned for performance and compatibility with EC2 and other AWS compute services.
- Multi-Year Support: Each major version receives security updates and bug fixes over several years, with quarterly minor releases.
- Deterministic Updates: Version-locked package repositories enable controlled, predictable upgrades without breaking compatibility.
- SELinux: Preconfigured SELinux policies, running in permissive mode by default and switchable to enforcing mode.
- FIPS Validation: Cryptographic modules with FIPS 140-3 Level 1 validation available.
- Minimal Images: Slim variants as a base for containers (ECS, EKS) and for Lambda custom runtimes.
Typical Use Cases
EC2 Production Workloads: Optimized performance on EC2 with pre-installed AWS CLI and SSM Agent, plus automatic security updates via dnf.
Container Base Image: Minimal Amazon Linux container images as a consistent base for ECS and EKS workloads across development and production.
Lambda Custom Runtimes: Amazon Linux 2023 as the basis for Lambda custom runtimes with full control over the runtime environment.
Benefits
- No license costs; usage is included in the price of the underlying AWS compute resource.
- Timely security patches directly from AWS.
- Performance tuned for EC2 and other AWS compute services.
- Seamless integration with AWS services and tools.
Integration with innFactory
As an AWS Reseller, innFactory supports you with Amazon Linux: migration from other distributions, migration from Amazon Linux 2 to Amazon Linux 2023, hardening, and optimal configuration for your workloads.
Typical Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Amazon Linux cost?
Amazon Linux is free; there are no license fees. You only pay for the EC2 instances or other AWS services running Amazon Linux.
What is the difference between Amazon Linux 2 and Amazon Linux 2023?
Amazon Linux 2023 (AL2023) is the successor to Amazon Linux 2, with a release model of regular major versions and quarterly minor releases for security updates. Amazon Linux 2 reached regular end of support on June 30, 2026. New workloads should use Amazon Linux 2023 throughout, and any remaining AL2 workloads should be migrated promptly.
How long will Amazon Linux 2023 be supported?
AWS plans to support Amazon Linux 2023 until June 2029. AWS typically announces new major Amazon Linux versions at least a year in advance to make migrations easier to plan.
Can I use Amazon Linux outside of AWS?
Yes. Amazon Linux is also available as a container image and as an AMI/VM image and can be used locally for development and testing. Its main benefit, however, is optimization for running on AWS services such as EC2, ECS, EKS, and Lambda.
Does AWS offer a dedicated SLA for Amazon Linux?
No, Amazon Linux itself does not have a standalone Service Level Agreement. Availability follows the SLA of the compute service the distribution runs on, such as the EC2 SLA.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of AWS (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by AWS.