Azure Linux 3.0

Azure Operating Systems

Azure Linux 3.0, Microsoft's own cloud optimised Linux distribution, hardened and patched for production.

Base

Hardened build

minimal ports, security patches applied at build time

Access

Unique credentials

generated on first boot, readable only by root

Verified

Boots working

services pass a health gate before release

Support

24/7, 365 days

by email and live chat, 24 hour response SLA

Overview

Azure Linux, formerly CBL Mariner, is Microsoft's own open source Linux distribution, developed in the open and used as a container host and cloud platform across Microsoft's own services. It is deliberately small: a lean, security focused package set that keeps the attack surface and footprint low, with fast, signed updates from Microsoft's own repositories. Microsoft's own components and tooling are MIT licensed, and there is no subscription, no licence key and no support contract required to run it.

This image is a clean, fully patched Azure Linux 3.0 foundation to run containers and build your own services on.

Why the cloudimg image

The cloudimg image is a hardened Azure Linux 3.0 base with every available security update applied at build time and unattended updates armed, so instances keep patching themselves. No credential is baked in: access is by the SSH key you choose at launch, root password login is locked, and the machine identity and SSH host keys are regenerated uniquely on every instance, so no two machines share a secret. A paired deployment guide tested against the exact image is included, and every instance is backed by 24/7 cloudimg support.

Common uses

A lean, security focused host for containers and microservices
A small footprint cloud base for your own services and stacks
A Microsoft aligned Linux platform for Azure native workloads

Overview

Why the cloudimg image

Common uses

More in Operating Systems

Alma Linux 8

Windows Server 2022

Windows Server 2025 Datacenter

Oracle Linux 10.0

Oracle Linux 7

Oracle Linux 8.0