Chapter 2. The rhn_register Client

If you should ever need to re-register your system at a later time (or you chose not to register during firstboot), you can use rhn_register to do so. You can execute the command rhn_register from the command line as root. If you have never registered, you can start rhn_register by selecting Applications (the main menu on the panel) ⇒ System Tools ⇒ Package Updater. (You will be asked to enter the root password.) The Package Updater, when run on a system that has not yet been registered, triggers rhn_register if there is no /etc/sysconfig/rhn/systemid file on the system.

If you have already registered before and /etc/sysconfig/rhn/systemid exists on the system, rhn_register first asks if you are sure that you would like to register again. Doing so may create a duplicate system profile in RHN Satellite. Consider using rhnreg_ks and activation keys to re-register a system without creating a duplicate entry. Refer to Section 7.4.2.9.1.4, “System Details ⇒ Details ⇒ Reactivation — ” for more information.

If you are certain you would like to re-register this way, select the Yes, Continue button.

The Registering for Software Updates page summarizes the steps involved in the registration process. To learn more about the benefits of Hosted and Satellite, press the Why Should I Connect to RHN button. Otherwise, press the Forward button to continue.

The Choose an Update Location page allows you to select the source of your software updates - either from RHN Hosted or from RHN Satellite Server or Proxy Server. For Satellite or Proxy, the associated radio button and enter the URL of your Satellite or Proxy into the Red Hat Network Location field.

If you connect to the internet through an HTTP Proxy, press the Advanced Network Configuration button. In the subsequent pop-up window, use the appropriate fields for your HTTP proxy; if your proxy requires authentication, enter the username and password here. When finished, press the Close button to continue. You are returned to the Choose an Update Location page. Press Forward to continue.

The Enter Your Account Information page requires you to enter your RHN login information (if you already have one), or to create a new account if you do not. To create a new RHN account, press the Create a New Account button. Fill in the fields that are marked with an asterisk and any other information you wish to enter. Press the Create New Login button to create your new login.

The Create Your System Profile page allows you to select a profile name for the system you are registering. The default name for any system is that system's hostname, although you may change it as you like. You can also select whether to report hardware and package information to RHN. It is recommended that you choose to report this information; doing so allows RHN to automatically subscribe your system to the base and child channels most appropriate to your system. If you wish, you may press either the View Hardware Profile or View Package Profile button to view the information that rhn_register uploads to RHN or Satellite in this step.

The Review System Subscription Details page displays the base and child channel information to which your system has been subscribed. Take a moment to review the channels, and then press Forward to continue.

The Finish Setting Up Software Updates page indicates that you have successfully registered a Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 system with RHN. From this point, you do not have to do anything to receive software updates. A package icon will appear in the upper right corner of your desktop when updates are available. Click on the icon to apply available updates. Click Finish to exit the wizard.