What is Red Hat Network?

Red Hat Network is an Internet solution for managing a Red Hat Linux system or a network of Red Hat Linux systems. All security patches, bug fixes, and software package enhancements can be downloaded directly from Red Hat Linux using the Red Hat Update Agent, a standalone application, or through a Web browser, at http://www.redhat.com/network. The features available to you are determined by your membership status.

Both the Red Hat Network Web interface and the Red Hat Update Agent allow you to view all security alerts, bug fixes, and package enhancements included in the errata list. Only packages relevant to your system are shown, and you can configure Red Hat Network to send you email notifications of new and updated packages. These tools can be configured to verify packages once they are downloaded.

The Red Hat Network Web interface runs inside an SSL-enabled Web browser, such as Netscape Navigator, and does not have software dependencies. It has more features than Red Hat Update Agent, including the ability to view up to five systems simultaneously, view package details before downloading, and add a system to your account without registering again.

Red Hat Network provides significant benefits to your network security and quality assurance. All transactions between you and Red Hat Network are encrypted, and all RPM packages are signed with Red Hat Linux's GNU Privacy Guard (GPG) signature to ensure authenticity. See the Official Red Hat Linux Customization Guide for more on the GPG.

Before you begin using Red Hat Network, you need to create a user name, password, and system profile. The Red Hat Network Registration Client will take you through this process.