The number of possible Linux configurations is extremely limited. Two of them involve enterprise Linux distros, including a SuSE one that I could not figure out a way to buy. The RH enterprise offering requires a kernel that does not ship with the product and it's a large task in itself to get registered with RH and get the appropriate kernel from them. That left a RH 7.2 with a 2.4.9-31 kernel (I think 2.4.9-34 is "current").
I am wondering what possible factors went into limiting the number of configurations for the Linux server. I can guess that it has something to do with the GPL and LGPL restrictions and C++ code but I would only be guessing. For those of us who prefer to stay current with kernel.org versions it presents a severe problem. For instance, the only stable RH 7.2 configuration I could get working on an X235/X345 server is a 2.4.19 kernel built with gcc 2.95.3 because of problems with the LSI Logic MPT SCSI drivers. Retrofitting module drivers into old kernels just doesn't provide a stable environment in my testing experience. Anyway, I would be very curious to know why the configuration choices are so restrictive.
