What is Red Hat Linux?

Red Hat is one of the most powerful and distinct operating systems existing in the Linux environment. It is based on the open source-code concept and is freely available for download. However, the verbatim copying of Red Hat is forbidden. So, what exactly is Red Hat Linux? Well truthfully, “Red Hat Linux” (by this name) has not existed since 2003, instead you now have a variety of options offered by Red Hat.

Linux has plenty of options for operating systems, these are typically referred to as distributions or distros. You can find a list of different Linux distros here. Or if you want to learn more about Linux in general, take a look at our post “What is Linux?”

This post however will focus on helping you understand Red Hat Linux.

Red Hat Linux

Red Hat provides an ecosystem which supports diverse workloads for physical, cloud and virtual environments. Multiple versions of Red Hat are available for desktops, SAP applications, mainframes, servers, and OpenStack. Red Hat supports a large number of different software packages which helps in easy use for enterprise level applications.

Red Hat Linux distributions can be broadly divided into three categories:

1. Red Hat Enterprise Linux – A commercially supported distribution
2. Fedora Linux – A Red Hat sponsored community supported Linux distribution. It is a platform that provides Red Hat and contributor community to rapidly innovate newer technologies for Linux
3. CentOS – A community supported Linux distribution. It is an open source version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux and is mostly used for servers.

You will most commonly encounter Red Hat Linux as Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is a paid Red Hat product that includes support directly from Red Hat. RHEL 7.4 is the latest version released on July 31, 2017 with kernel version 3.10.0-693. A typical Red Hat Enterprise Linux includes several applications, development tools and utilities such as Samba, OpenOffice.org, MySQL, GIMP, Firefox, DHCP, Compiz, CUPS, Python to name a few.

RHEL can be installed on desktops but will most likely be running a free version of Red Hat Linux, which you can try using the No-cost Red Hat Enterprise Linux Developer Subscription. This option will provide most of the essential features of Red Hat except a few features which will be available only in licensed versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Another suitable alternative for Red Hat home use is Fedora, powered by Red Hat. Fedora releases an updated version almost every 6 months and is meant for cutting edge technology support.

Pricing for Red Hat Linux varies based on the choice of platform. A complete list of Red Hat products can be found in their online store.

Red Hat Linux Features

Over the years Red Hat has been one of the most popular operating systems for development, deployment and enterprise level usage. Due to the features and flexibility of those features Red Hat tends to fall at the top of the list of de facto standards for enterprise platforms.

Red Hat capabilities include:

• Security standards to protect your data, prevent intrusion and maintain mandate controls from network firewall to application isolation
• Supports more than 400 software packages such as C and C++ language compiler from Cygnus, X Window System from Consortium, Web Server from Apache
• High performance across diverse areas like computational scalability, database throughput and application performance
• Interoperability and compatibility with most of the operating systems including Microsoft Windows Server and Unix
• Incredibly flexible cloud environment to server enterprise level requirements when using Red Hat Enterprise Linux in conjunction with other systems
• Works on the principle of Reliability, Availability and Serviceability – RAS. You can experience 99.999% up-time for your enterprise usage.

Common Users:

• Established enterprises
• Cloud Providers
• Startups looking for open source solutions
• Clients include – Rackspace, Barclays, Jalisco, British Columbia, Macquarie, FICO, Cisco and many more

Red Hat Training

Red Hat has a steep learning curve and many have found learning Red Hat to be easier by earning a Red Hat certification. Red Hat certification exams are as hard as gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to earn your certification. For example, to earn Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) certification you must complete RH124 & RH134 or RH199 training courses and pass the RHCSA EX200 exam.

In addition to instructor-led training courses there are several community support forums available for different versions of Red Hat and beginner through advanced level tutorials available on the internet to jump start your journey in learn Red Hat Linux.