What is STACKIT Linux Server?
STACKIT Linux Server provides preconfigured Linux standard images for virtual machines on the STACKIT Compute Engine. According to STACKIT documentation, available options include Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS Stream, Fedora, Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and openSUSE Leap 16.0 - many versions also as ARM64 images. The images are continuously built directly from the official vendor sources and provided unmodified as base images with current security patches. STACKIT operates the underlying Compute Engine in the EU01 (Germany) and EU02 (Austria) regions; Red Hat Enterprise Linux images have also been available in EU02 since March 2026 (x86_64 architecture only there).
Core Features
- Standard images for Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS Stream, Fedora, Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and openSUSE Leap 16.0, many also as an ARM64 variant
- Continuously updated, unmodified base images built directly from the respective vendor sources, including current security patches
- Older, still-supported image versions usable via API/CLI; published images available for 12 months, then irreversibly deleted
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux includes preconfigured access to the Red Hat Update Infrastructure (RHUI) for updates directly from Red Hat
- Login via SSH key (default username depends on distribution) or web console; SSH password login disabled by default
- Automated updates via STACKIT Server Update Management, backups via STACKIT Server Backup Management
- Option to upload your own, self-built images via OpenStack
Typical Use Cases
Web and Application Servers: Running classic Linux workloads (web servers, application servers, databases) on the distribution of your choice.
SAP and Enterprise Workloads on RHEL: Red Hat Enterprise Linux as a basis for certified enterprise applications, including a STACKIT-provided license and RHUI access.
Lift-and-Shift Migration: Existing Linux server workloads from on-premises environments are moved to the STACKIT cloud without major changes.
Benefits
- Wide selection of regularly updated, unmodified Linux base images
- No additional STACKIT license fee for most distributions
- For RHEL: license and RHUI access organized by STACKIT, transparently billed as a separate SKU since 1 December 2025
- Operated in the STACKIT regions EU01 (Germany) and EU02 (Austria)
- Complementary services for updates (Server Update Management) and backups (Server Backup Management) available
Integration with innFactory
As an official STACKIT partner, innFactory supports you with STACKIT Linux Server: distribution and image selection, migration, automation of updates and backups, and ongoing operations.
Typical Use Cases
Technical Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Linux distributions does STACKIT Linux Server offer?
According to STACKIT documentation, currently Ubuntu (18.04 to 26.04), Debian (11 to 13), CentOS Stream (9, 10), Fedora (43, 44), Rocky Linux (8 to 10), AlmaLinux (8 to 10), Red Hat Enterprise Linux (8 to 10), and openSUSE Leap 16.0 - many also available as ARM64 images. STACKIT maintains only the latest and older, still-supported versions.
Is the operating system license included in the price?
For most distributions, STACKIT does not charge a separate license fee; the customer is responsible for correctly licensing the operating system and software. The exception is Red Hat Enterprise Linux: here STACKIT provides the license via the Red Hat Update Infrastructure (RHUI) and bills it under the Cloud Software and Services Agreement with Red Hat. Since 1 December 2025, this license is billed as a separate SKU apart from the compute resource.
How do I get security updates for my RHEL image?
STACKIT RHEL images come preconfigured with access to the Red Hat Update Infrastructure (RHUI) and receive updates directly from Red Hat, e.g. via 'sudo dnf update'. For automated, scheduled updates, the STACKIT Server Update Management service is available.
How do I back up my Linux server?
STACKIT points to its own Server Backup Management service (Backup as a Service) for setting up and managing backups of Linux VMs.
How long are older image versions available?
According to STACKIT documentation, published images remain available for 12 months and are then irreversibly deleted. Older, still-supported versions can still be referenced via API and CLI but are no longer selectable in the portal. STACKIT recommends not using static image IDs in automation or Terraform.
Which username do I use to log in via SSH?
The default username depends on the image, e.g. 'ubuntu' for Ubuntu, 'debian' for Debian, 'cloud-user' for CentOS Stream and RHEL, 'fedora' for Fedora, 'rocky' for Rocky Linux, 'almalinux' for AlmaLinux, and 'sles' for openSUSE. Password login via SSH is disabled by default; access is via stored SSH keys or the STACKIT web console.
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 STACKIT (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by STACKIT.
