What Operating Systems Are Supported on GPU Cloud Server?

Cyfuture Cloud GPU servers primarily support Linux distributions like Ubuntu 20.04/22.04 LTS, CentOS 7/8/Stream, Rocky Linux 8/9, AlmaLinux 8/9, Debian 11/12, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 8/9. Windows Server 2019/2022 is available with limitations on certain GPU models. Custom OS images can be requested via support.

Cyfuture Cloud's GPU cloud server delivers high-performance computing for AI, machine learning, rendering, and data-intensive workloads. These servers leverage powerful NVIDIA GPUs like A100 gpu, H100 gpu, RTX A6000, and V100, integrated with scalable cloud infrastructure. A critical aspect of deployment is operating system (OS) compatibility, as GPUs require specific drivers and kernel support for optimal performance.

We prioritize stability, security, and ease of use in our supported OS list. Linux dominates due to its native NVIDIA CUDA and cuDNN compatibility, lightweight footprint, and robust community support. All listed distributions come pre-configured with GPU-optimized images, including NVIDIA drivers (e.g., version 535+), CUDA Toolkit (11.x/12.x), and TensorRT for accelerated inferencing.

Supported Linux Distributions

Linux offers the broadest support on Cyfuture GPU servers:

Ubuntu 20.04/22.04 LTS: The most popular choice for ML workflows. Includes seamless NVIDIA driver installation via apt. Ideal for TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Jupyter setups.

CentOS 7/8/Stream: Enterprise-grade with long-term support. CentOS Stream provides rolling updates for cutting-edge GPU features.

Rocky Linux 8/9 and AlmaLinux 8/9: RHEL-compatible forks, perfect for production environments needing yum/dnf package management and SELinux.

Debian 11/12: Minimalist and stable, favored for custom Docker/Kubernetes deployments with GPU passthrough.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 8/9: Official enterprise support with subscription options. Excels in HPC clusters via Slurm or OpenMPI.

These distros support kernel versions 5.4+ with modules like nvidia, nouveau (blacklisted), and VFIO for SR-IOV on multi-GPU setups. Installation is straightforward: select the OS during server provisioning, and GPUs auto-detect with nvidia-smi command verifying status.

Windows Server Support

While Linux is optimized, we offer Windows Server 2019 and 2022 for users needing familiar tools like DirectML or Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2). Key notes:

Compatible with NVIDIA GRID drivers for VDI or RTX GPUs.

CUDA on WSL2 enables Linux-like ML workflows.

Limitations: Not all H100/A100 configurations support Windows due to driver licensing; confirm via control panel before provisioning.

Best for: Adobe Suite rendering, Unity/Unreal Engine, or enterprise apps requiring Active Directory.

Windows images include pre-installed NVIDIA Control Panel and GRID software for remote desktops.

Unsupported or Custom OS Options

We don't natively support macOS (due to Apple's hardware restrictions), older kernels (<5.4), or experimental distros like Arch Linux. However, Cyfuture's custom image service allows uploading ISO files for Fedora, SUSE, or bespoke setups. Contact 

support@cyfuture.cloud for validation—expect 24-48 hour turnaround.

Why These OS Choices?

Selection stems from NVIDIA's certification matrix. GPUs demand specific kernel parameters (e.g., pci=realloc=off) and driver branches. Cyfuture tests each image rigorously:

This ensures 99.9% uptime and MIG (Multi-Instance GPU) partitioning for cost efficiency.

Deployment Best Practices

Provision via Cyfuture Cloud panel: Choose GPU type > OS template > Size (e.g., 8x A100 gpu).

Post-boot: Run sudo apt update && sudo apt install nvidia-driver-535 nvidia-cuda-toolkit (Ubuntu).

Verify: nvidia-smi shows GPU utilization; nvcc --version confirms CUDA.

Scaling: Use Kubernetes with NVIDIA GPU Operator for orchestration.

Security features include AppArmor/SELinux, firewall rules, and ISO 27001 compliance across all OS.

Conclusion

Cyfuture Cloud GPU servers support a robust lineup of Linux distros—led by Ubuntu and RHEL variants—alongside select Windows options, ensuring flexibility for diverse workloads. This focus on certified, performant OSes minimizes setup friction and maximizes GPU ROI. For tailored needs, our 24/7 support team customizes images. Start provisioning today at Cyfuture Cloud to accelerate your projects.

Follow-Up Questions

Q: Can I install multiple OSes on one GPU server?
A: No, each instance runs a single OS. Use snapshots or multi-instance GPUs (MIG) for isolated environments, or spin up parallel servers.

Q: What if my preferred OS isn't listed?
A: Submit a custom image request via ticket. We support most x86_64 Linux/Windows ISOs if they meet NVIDIA driver requirements.

Q: Are ARM-based OSes like Ubuntu for ARM supported?
A: Currently no, as our GPU servers are x86_64. Future Graviton-like ARM GPU support is in roadmap—check updates.

Q: How do I update GPU drivers on supported OSes?
A: Use distro repos (e.g., apt upgrade nvidia-driver) or NVIDIA's official repo. Reboot and test with nvidia-smi.