How to Install SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP4

SUSE Enterprise Linux Server (SLES) is a modern and modular Linux distribution that was developed mainly for servers and mainframes. It focuses on supporting production workloads and is typically used by large organizations to host and run applications.

SUSE also supports traditional IT environments and is also available for desktop/workstation lovers as SUSE Enterprise Linux Desktop (SLED). Check out the release notes for more information about SLES 15 SP4.

SUSE Enterprise Linux Server provides a 60-day Evaluation that allows you to get patches and updates.

In this guide, we will demonstrate how to install SUSE Enterprise Linux Server 15 SP4.

System Requirements

Just before you get started out, ensure that your system meets the following requirements:

  • Minimum 4 dedicated 64-bit CPU cores
  • Minimum 2 GB RAM
  • Minimum 24 GB of hard disk space.
  • USB flash drive

Step 1: Download SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP4

The first step is to download the SUSE Enterprise Linux Server 15 SP4 ISO image. So, head over to the Official SUSE Download page and download the ISO that corresponds to your system’s architecture.

If you do not have a SUSE account yet, you will be required to create one and the following pop-up will appear. Fill in all the details and submit the form.

Create SUSE Account
Create SUSE Account

A link will be sent to your email account to activate your SUSE Account and direct you to the download link.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Drive Using the ISO Image

With the ISO image at hand, create a bootable USB drive with an application such as Ventoy, Balena Etcher, and Rufus. Check out our guide on top USB creation tools.

If your goal is to install on VirtualBox or VMware, ensure that you create a Virtual machine first and mount the ISO image.

For PCs, and bare metal hardware, plug the bootable media and reboot the system. Be keen to modify the BIOS settings to have the bootable medium as the first boot priority.

Step 3: Boot SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

Once the system has booted, select the ‘Installation’ option using the arrow down Key and press ‘ENTER’.

Booting SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
Booting SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

The installer will then initialize the Network configuration by detecting all the network devices, and reading the network configuration in place.

Initialize SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
Initialize SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

The update of the installer itself will follow thereafter.

Updating Installer
Updating Installer

Step 4: Installing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

In this step, be sure to select your preferred installation language, Keyboard layout, and the SUSE product that you would like to install.

Choose SUSE Language
Choose SUSE Language

In the next step, feel free to skim through the license terms and check the ‘I Agree to the License Terms’, and click ‘Next’.

Choose SUSE License
Choose SUSE License

Configure SUSE Network

The SUSE installer has made it a bit tricky to access the Network section. For users installing SUSE Linux for the first time, they might unknowingly skip this step for lack of a dedicated ‘Network Settings’ step.

The trick to accessing the Network settings, click the ‘Network Configuration’ icon on the ‘Registration Page‘.

Choose SUSE Network Configuration
Choose SUSE Network Configuration

This takes you to the ‘Network Settings’ page. By default, the setting is set to acquire an IP using the DHCP protocol. This works just fine. If you are okay with this, Just press ‘Next’.

SUSE Network Settings
SUSE Network Settings

Otherwise, if you want to set a static IP, click on the ‘Edit’ button and select ‘Statically Assigned IP Address’ and provide the IP, subnet mask, and hostname. Then click ‘Next’.

Set SUSE Static IP Address
Set SUSE Static IP Address

The next page provides a summary of the settings you have just entered.

SUSE Network Summary
SUSE Network Summary

Next, click on the ‘Hostname/DNS’ tab and provide the Hostname and preferred Nameservers.

SUSE Network Hostname
SUSE Network Hostname

The installer will then save and activate your network settings.

SUSE Network Configurations
SUSE Network Configurations

Register SUSE Enterprise Linux

Back to the Registration section. This provides you with three options of how can go about registering your system.

  1. Register the system via scc.suse.com. This is a Customer Care portal for SUSE that helps you to manage your SUSE account and subscriptions.
  2. Register the system using a local RMT (Repository Monitoring Tool) Server provided by your organization.
  3. Skip registration and register the system later after the installation is complete.

Depending on your environment or convenience, you can select any of the options. If you already have the registration code at hand, just provide it and use the first registration option.

In this case, we will skip registration for now.

SUSE Linux Registration
SUSE Linux Registration

Then click ‘Next’ to move to the next step.

Choose SUSE Modules and Extensions

In this step, you will be required to select your preferred extensions and modules. The Basesystem-Module and Server-Application-Modules are already selected by default. Feel free to select your preferred modules and click ‘Next’.

Choose SUSE Extension and Modules
Choose SUSE Extension and Modules

Next, a summary of the selected modules will be listed. You can add some Add-ons at this point. But if all looks great, click on ‘Next’.

SUSE Add-On Product Installation
SUSE Add-On Product Installation

Choose SUSE System Role

SUSE installer provides a number of pre-defined roles for various scenarios. By default, the following roles are provided:

  • SLES with GNOME – This provides the GNOME desktop environment.
  • Text Mode – Contains X Server but devoid of GNOME Desktop.
  • Minimal – Provides minimal software selection for SUSE Enterprise Linux.
  • KVM Virtualization Host – Provides the KVM kernel hypervisor.
  • XEN Virtualization Host – Provides XEN bare-metal hypervisor.
Choose SUSE System Role
Choose SUSE System Role

Select your preferred option and click ‘Next’.

Configure SUSE Partitioning

Next, you will be prompted to configure partitioning. You will be presented with two options – Guided Setup and Expert Partitioner. The latter allows you to manually partition the hard disk while the former allows the installer to automatically partition the disk.

In this guide, we will go with the ‘Guided Setup’ option to make things much simpler.

Choose SUSE Guided Setup
Choose SUSE Guided Setup

With the ‘Guided Setup’ option select the partitioning scheme and click ‘Next’.

SUSE Partitioning Scheme
SUSE Partitioning Scheme

In the ‘FileSystem Options’ sections, specify the filesystem type for your partitions. Additionally, you can select whether to create Swap space or enlarge the size of the RAM when the system is suspended.

Then click ‘Next’.

SUSE Filesystem Options
SUSE Filesystem Options

A summary of the partitions will be provided for you. Ensure that everything is ok, and click ‘Next’. Otherwise, head back and make the required changes.

SUSE Linux Partitioning Summary
SUSE Linux Partitioning Summary

Configure Clock and TimeZone

In the next step, set your region, clock, and timezone and click ‘Next’.

SUSE Timezone
SUSE Timezone

Create SUSE User Account

Next, create a regular system user by providing the username and password. Then click ‘Next’.

Create SUSE Account
Create SUSE Account

In the next step, configure the root password and hit ‘Next’.

Create SUSE Root Password
Create SUSE Root Password

Begin SUSE Linux Installation

In this section, carefully review all the installation settings and if everything looks good, click ‘Install’.

SUSE Installation Settings
SUSE Installation Settings

On the pop-up that appears, click ‘Install’ to confirm the installation of SUSE Linux.

SUSE Installation Confirmation
SUSE Installation Confirmation

The installation will commence and the installer will copy all the files and packages to your hard drive. This takes a while, so give yourself a tea break as the installer does everything for you.

Performing SUSE Installation
Performing SUSE Installation

Login into SUSE Linux Enterprise

When the installation is complete, the system automatically reboots without your intervention. This time around, select the ‘Boot from Hard disk’ option in order to boot into your SUSE Linux installation.

Boot SUSE from Disk
Boot SUSE from Disk

Shortly after, the GRUB menu will come to view. Be sure to select the first option.

Choose SUSE Linux
Choose SUSE Linux

On the login screen, log in with your password.

SUSE User Login
SUSE User Login

And this ushers you to SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop.

SUSE Linux Desktop
SUSE Linux Desktop

If you selected the ‘Minimal’ option in the ‘System Roles’ section, you will log in to the shell of your server.

SUSE Linux Server Terminal
SUSE Linux Server Terminal

Lastly, register your server using the SUSEConnect command-line utility using the following syntax.

$ SUSEConnect -r <ActivationCode> -e <EmailAddress>

Now you can update the package repositories using the zypper command shown.

$ sudo zypper ref

And that’s it. We have successfully installed SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15. Just a reminder that this product comes with a 60-day evaluation period so be sure to make the most of it. All the best as you enjoy the goodies that come with the latest SUSE release.

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James Kiarie
This is James, a certified Linux administrator and a tech enthusiast who loves keeping in touch with emerging trends in the tech world. When I'm not running commands on the terminal, I'm taking listening to some cool music. taking a casual stroll or watching a nice movie.

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