Chapter 16. Red Hat Network
Red Hat Network is an Internet solution for managing one or more Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. All Security Alerts, Bug Fix Alerts, and Enhancement Alerts (collectively known as Errata Alerts) can be downloaded directly from Red Hat using the Package Updater standalone application or through the RHN website available at https://rhn.redhat.com/.
Figure 16.1. Your RHN
Red Hat Network saves you time because you receive email when updated packages are released. You do not have to search the Web for updated packages or security alerts. By default, Red Hat Network installs the packages as well. You do not have to learn how to use RPM or worry about resolving software package dependencies; RHN does it all.
Red Hat Network features include:
- Errata Alerts — learn when Security Alerts, Bug Fix Alerts, and Enhancement Alerts are issued for all the systems in your network
Figure 16.2. Relevant Errata
- Automatic email notifications — Receive an email notification when an Errata Alert is issued for your system(s)
- Scheduled Errata Updates — Schedule delivery of Errata Updates
- Package installation — Schedule package installation on one or more systems with the click of a button
- Package Updater — Use the Package Updater to download the latest software packages for your system (with optional package installation)
- Red Hat Network website — Manage multiple systems, downloaded individual packages, and schedule actions such as Errata Updates through a secure Web browser connection from any computer
Warning
You must activate your Red Hat Enterprise Linux product before registering your system with Red Hat Network to make sure your system is entitled to the correct services. To activate your product, go to:
http://www.redhat.com/apps/activate/
After activating your product, register it with Red Hat Network to receive Errata Updates. The registration process gathers information about the system that is required to notify you of updates. For example, a list of packages installed on the system is compiled so you are only notified about updates that are relevant to your system.
The first time the system is booted, the Software Update Setup Assistant prompts you to register. If you did not register then, select (the main menu on the panel) => => on your desktop to start the registration process. Alternately, execute the command
yum update from a shell prompt.
Figure 16.3. Registering with RHN
After registering, use one of the following methods to start receiving updates:
- Select (the main menu on the panel) => => on your desktop
- Execute the command
yumfrom a shell prompt - Use the RHN website at https://rhn.redhat.com/
- Click on the package icon when it appears in the panel to launch the Package Updater.
For more detailed instructions, refer to the documentation available at:
http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/RHNetwork/
Note
Red Hat Enterprise Linux includes a convenient panel icon that displays visible alerts when there is an update for your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system. This panel icon is not present if no updates are available.
