As server procurement difficulties and price increases encourage continued use of existing systems, post-OS-support responses and the speed of providing fixes have emerged as key considerations in selecting Linux.
Cybertrust Japan Co.,Ltd. surveyed and reported on how companies select Linux in light of continued use of existing systems and OS support periods, against the backdrop of longer lead times and rising prices for server equipment. The survey covered 111 people responsible for Linux servers at companies with 300 or more employees. It found that continued use of systems is increasing because of procurement difficulties, with 97.3% of respondents saying they had chosen or were considering continued use after OS support ended. Many cases exceeded expected procurement costs, with 64.0% experiencing price increases, indicating that cost pressures and prolonged use of existing systems are occurring simultaneously. The lack of a point of contact when failures occur was cited as a challenge in continued use, highlighting the need to establish response capabilities.
The survey also highlighted how OS maintenance periods affect system renewal plans. Among respondents, 93.6% had experienced a renewal earlier than planned in the past 5 years because OS support had ended, while 67.5% said they expected their OS upgrades to be completed earlier than scheduled. This indicates that unplanned renewals triggered by the end of OS support have become commonplace.
The speed of providing fixes when vulnerabilities are discovered was the most important criterion in selecting Linux, cited by 50.5% of respondents. This was followed by the availability of Japanese-language technical support at 41.4%, and license and support costs at 25.2%. In the context of continued use and OS support, rapid remediation and a domestic support structure for consultation are regarded as important requirements for long-term use.
Overall, the survey showed that rising server procurement prices and continued use of existing systems are becoming more pronounced, while a lack of support structures for long-term use remains a challenge. It indicated that selecting an OS suitable for long-term operation will become increasingly important, and that aligning continued-use plans with OS support periods is a prerequisite for stable operation and orderly migration.