Oracle Linux 9 is a modern, enterprise-grade Linux distribution designed for performance, security, and long-term stability. Built from the same upstream sources as Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9, it offers binary compatibility while adding Oracle-specific enhancements such as the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK), advanced performance tuning, and deep integration with cloud and enterprise workloads.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2 provides a flexible and scalable compute platform, making it an excellent environment for running Oracle Linux 9 for production systems, development environments, CI/CD pipelines, and high-performance workloads. When deployed correctly, Oracle Linux 9 on EC2 can deliver predictable performance, strong security posture, and simplified operations.
In this article, we explore best practices for running Oracle Linux 9 on AWS EC2, from instance selection and storage layout to networking, security hardening, performance tuning, patching, and automation. Whether you are migrating existing workloads or launching new cloud-native applications, these guidelines will help you build a reliable and production-ready setup.
Somewhere during your initial setup and planning, you will encounter the concept of an Oracle Linux 9 AMI in AWS EC2, which represents the starting point for consistent, repeatable deployments across environments.
Choosing the Right EC2 Instance Type
Selecting the appropriate EC2 instance type is critical for performance, cost efficiency, and scalability.
CPU Architecture Considerations
Oracle Linux 9 runs well on both x86_64 and ARM64 architectures:
- x86_64 (Intel / AMD)
Best choice for legacy applications, commercial software, and workloads requiring maximum compatibility. - ARM64 (AWS Graviton)
Ideal for modern, cloud-native workloads, microservices, and applications compiled for ARM. Offers excellent price-performance.
Always validate application compatibility before moving to ARM-based instances.
Instance Families
Common recommendations include:
- General purpose (t3, t4g, m6i, m7g) for balanced workloads
- Compute optimized (c6i, c7g) for CPU-intensive tasks
- Memory optimized (r6i, r7g) for databases and in-memory workloads
Enable instance monitoring and review CloudWatch metrics to continuously right-size instances.
Storage Best Practices
Storage configuration has a direct impact on performance and reliability.
Root Volume Layout
- Use EBS gp3 volumes for predictable baseline performance
- Allocate sufficient IOPS and throughput for boot and package operations
- Prefer XFS, the default and recommended filesystem for Oracle Linux 9
Application and Data Volumes
- Separate application data from the root volume
- Use dedicated EBS volumes for databases, logs, and large datasets
- Enable EBS encryption at rest, ideally using AWS KMS
For high-throughput workloads, consider provisioning IOPS (io2) volumes.
Networking Configuration
Proper networking setup ensures low latency, security, and scalability.
VPC and Subnet Design
- Deploy instances in private subnets whenever possible
- Use public subnets only for bastion hosts or load balancers
- Ensure proper route table configuration for NAT gateways if outbound internet access is required
Security Groups
- Follow the principle of least privilege
- Allow only required inbound ports (for example, 22 for SSH, 443 for HTTPS)
- Restrict SSH access to known IP ranges or use bastion hosts
Enhanced Networking
Enable ENA (Elastic Network Adapter) for improved throughput and lower latency. Most modern EC2 instance types support ENA by default.
System Hardening and Security
Security should be built into your Oracle Linux 9 deployment from day one.
SELinux
Oracle Linux 9 runs with SELinux enabled and enforcing by default:
- Keep SELinux enabled in enforcing mode
- Use
semanageand policy modules instead of disabling SELinux - Validate application compatibility early
Firewall Configuration
Use firewalld to manage host-level firewall rules:
- Define zones appropriately
- Avoid opening unnecessary ports
- Keep firewall rules under version control when possible
User and Access Management
- Disable password authentication for SSH
- Use key-based authentication only
- Grant sudo access selectively
- Rotate SSH keys regularly
Package Management and Updates
Keeping systems up to date is essential for security and stability.
DNF and Repositories
Oracle Linux 9 uses dnf as its package manager:
- Regularly update the system with
dnf update - Pin critical packages if required for application stability
- Remove unused packages to reduce attack surface
Kernel Strategy
Oracle Linux offers two kernel options:
- Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK) – optimized for performance and modern workloads
- Red Hat Compatible Kernel (RHCK) – for strict compatibility requirements
Choose one kernel strategy and standardize it across environments to simplify operations.
Performance Tuning
Out-of-the-box performance is strong, but production workloads often benefit from tuning.
System Limits
- Adjust
ulimitvalues for file descriptors and processes - Tune
sysctlparameters for networking and memory where needed - Disable unnecessary services to reduce overhead
Disk and I/O Optimization
- Align filesystem block size with EBS volume characteristics
- Use
noatimemount options where appropriate - Monitor I/O latency with tools like
iostatandiotop
Monitoring and Logging
Visibility into system behavior is essential for production reliability.
Cloud-Level Monitoring
- Enable CloudWatch detailed monitoring
- Track CPU, memory, disk, and network metrics
- Set alarms for critical thresholds
OS-Level Monitoring
- Use tools such as
top,htop,vmstat, andsar - Centralize logs using a log aggregation solution
- Rotate and archive logs to avoid disk exhaustion
Backup and Disaster Recovery
A robust backup strategy protects against data loss and operational mistakes.
Snapshots
- Schedule regular EBS snapshots
- Automate snapshot creation and retention policies
- Test snapshot restoration periodically
AMI Strategy
- Create custom AMIs after hardening and configuration
- Version AMIs clearly
- Use immutable infrastructure principles where possible
Automation and Infrastructure as Code
Manual configuration does not scale. Automation is key.
Cloud-Init
Use cloud-init for:
- Initial package installation
- User and SSH key configuration
- Baseline system hardening
Configuration Management
Tools such as Ansible, Chef, or Puppet can:
- Enforce configuration consistency
- Apply security baselines
- Reduce configuration drift
Immutable Deployments
Instead of modifying running instances:
- Build new images
- Deploy new instances
- Replace old ones
This approach improves reliability and rollback capability.
Compliance and Governance
Many organizations must meet regulatory or internal compliance requirements.
- Document system configurations
- Enforce patching policies
- Use IAM roles instead of static credentials
- Audit access and configuration changes regularly
Oracle Linux 9 provides a solid foundation for compliance-driven environments when paired with AWS governance tools.
Conclusion
Running Oracle Linux 9 on AWS EC2 is a powerful combination for enterprise and cloud-native workloads alike. By carefully selecting instance types, designing secure networking, hardening the operating system, and embracing automation, you can achieve a highly reliable, secure, and scalable infrastructure.
The key to success lies in standardization and repeatability—using well-defined images, consistent configuration practices, and continuous monitoring. When these best practices are applied, Oracle Linux 9 becomes an excellent platform for modern production workloads in AWS, capable of supporting everything from simple web services to mission-critical enterprise systems.
With the right foundations in place, your Oracle Linux 9 deployments on EC2 can remain secure, performant, and easy to operate over the long term.
About This Content
