1.2. System Overview

The core system and entry point for Red Hat Update Agent running on client systems. Red Hat Satellite also includes an Apache HTTP Server, which serves XML-RPC requests.

A user interface for advanced system, system group, user, and channel management. The organization configures access to the Red Hat Satellite web interface from the local area network and, optionally, the Internet too. Red Hat Satellite provides an interface similar to the Red Hat Network website and allows full control over client systems, system groups, and users.

Red Hat Satellite uses one of the following database types:

Package repository for Red Hat RPM packages and custom RPM packages identified by the organization.

The Red Hat Satellite Management Tools synchronize the database and package repository with Red Hat Network. Red Hat Satellite also includes management tools for:

The Red Hat Update Agent operates on client systems to retrieve updates from the organization's internal Red Hat Satellite. System administrators also schedule these actions through the Red Hat Satellite Web Interface.

When a client requests updates, the organization's internal Red Hat Satellite queries its database, authenticates the client system, identifies updated packages, and sends the requested RPMs back to the client system. The client also installs these packages if set in preferences. The client system can send an updated package profile to the database on the Red Hat Satellite.

Use Red Hat Satellite in conjunction with Red Hat Satellite Proxy Server to create a distributed, self-contained Satellite environment for the organization. For example, an organization can maintain one Red Hat Satellite in a secure location while systems in proximity connect to it through local network access. Other remote offices would maintain Satellite Proxy Server installations that connect to the Satellite server. The different locations inside the organization require a networked connection, but this can be a private network; an Internet connection is not required for any of the systems. See the Red Hat Satellite Proxy Installation Guide for more information on installing and configuring Satellite Proxies.

Red Hat Satellite 5 uses channels and system entitlement consumption to manage Red Hat content. Newer entitlement tools that integrate with the Red Hat Customer Portal, such as Red Hat Subscription Asset Manager, use certificate-based entitlements. The rules for these two types of entitlement methods differ.

Red Hat Satellite 5.7 also provides an Enhanced Entitlements Reporting technology that integrates with certificate-based entitlement tools. This provides an overview of entitlement consumption from Satellite 5's system management while using newer certificate-based entitlement rules. This allows administrators to: