What is RHEL? A Beginner’s Guide to Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Licensing

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is an enterprise-level operating system that offers stable delivery, performance, and security for critical business applications. Developed by Red Hat Enterprises, RHEL is an open source software making it a super powerful and flexible choice for the modern IT infrastructure. 

With its seamless features and long-term support, RHEL is widely used by organizations across multiple industries, such as finance, healthcare, and technology. It is a reliable and extensive ecosystem making it an ideal solution for deploying servers, managing workloads, and developing scalable applications. 

Key Features of RHEL

“What is RHEL?” can be expertly answered by discussing its essential and key features;

1. Enterprise Grade Security 

RHEL offers advanced level security features such as SELinux (Security Enhanced Linux) and firewalls to safeguard the system against potential threats. Regular updates and compliance tools ensure organizations meet stringent security standards. 

2. High Performance & Scalability 

Designed to handle heavy workload, RHEL ensures optimal performance across physical, virtual, and cloud environments. RHEL is highly scalable so that it could meet the needs of growing businesses and large scale infrastructures. 

3. Robust Application Support

RHEL provides support for a huge array of software applications, making it compatible with diverse workloads like databases, web servers, and containerized applications.

4. Long term Support & Stability 

Each RHEL patch release comes with a lifecycle of 10 years, which offers long term stability and consistent performance. 

5. Comprehensive Ecosystem 

Red Hat’s extensive ecosystem offers benefits from certified hardware, third-party software integrations, and seamless compatibility with container platforms like OpenShift. 

6. Developer & Automation Tools

Red Hat Enterprise Linux includes tools for automation, such as Ansible and resources for streamlined application deployment and management. 

7. World-Class Support & Documentation 

Subscribers gain access to Red Hat’s support services and extensive documentation ensuring smooth operations and faster issue resolution. 

What is RHEL Licensing

RHEL offers a subscription-based licensing model that is designed to deliver enterprise-grade support, updates, and access to ecosystems. 

RHEL licensing typically ensures that all the users receive regular updates, security patches, and the official technical support offered by RHEL. 

• Regular Updates & Patches keep your system secure with timely fixes. 
• Enterprise-grade support access expert assistance based on your subscription. 
• The certified ecosystem ensures compatibility with a wide range of hardware and software. 

RHEL licenses are best for businesses and developers who require a stable and supported operating system for their development. There are four basic types of RHEL licensing:

• Standard License: Basic support for enterprises.
• Premium License: Offers round-the-clock support and faster response times.
• Developer Subscription: Free access for developers to build and test.
• Cloud-Specific Licenses: Tailored for public cloud deployments.

RHEL licensing comes with subscription access for patches, updates, and certifications. It also covers on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. By choosing RHEL licensing, organizations gain confidence in running large workloads with a trusted platform with long-term stability for critical applications. 

RHEL vs Other Linux Distributions

Feature	RHEL	Other Linux Distributions
Purpose	Enterprise-focused; designed for critical business applications	General-purpose; suitable for personal, educational, or small-scale use
Cost	Subscription-based; requires licensing for updates and support	Mostly free; some offer paid versions for added features or support
Support	24/7 professional support available through Red Hat	Community-driven support; paid support options are limited
Updates and Security	Regular updates, security patches, and long-term support (up to 10 years)	Updates depend on community contributions; may lack enterprise-grade SLAs
Ecosystem	Certified hardware, software integrations, and extensive documentation	Compatibility varies; fewer certifications and limited documentation
Performance	Optimized for enterprise workloads, scalability, and stability	Performance varies; may not be as stable for large-scale applications
Compliance	Offers compliance tools for standards like PCI DSS and HIPAA	Limited compliance tools or none available
Target Audience	Enterprises, businesses, and developers needing robust infrastructure	Hobbyists, small businesses, developers, and educators
Example Distributions	RHEL	Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, CentOS, OpenSUSE

Getting Started with RHEL

For both businesses and individuals who are looking into the Red Hat Enterprise Linux solutions, understanding its editions, installation, and configurations is essential. Here is an easy to follow guide for all: 

Choose the Right Edition 

RHEL offers customized versions for servers, workstations, and developers. The developer subscription is free for testing and learning. 

Download RHEL 

Visit the official website and register to download the ISO file. Ensure that your machine is compatible with the system requirements. 

Install RHEL

Create a bootable USB/ DVD with the ISO file that you downloaded and follow the official installer to set up partitions, users, and basic network settings. 

Activation 

After completing the installation, activate your system, using the command:
subscription-manager register  

Enter your credentials, such as username and password to receive updates and support. 

Initial setup            

Update your system with the command:
sudo yum update  

Configure repositories and enable required services.

Access Support & Documentation 

Fully leverage Red Hat’s extensive resources and community forums to connect with like-minded users. 

What is RHEL – Conclusion

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is an enterprise grade operating system offering stability and security to develop modern IT solutions. With its subscription based model, the plans offer something for all the users, making it an ideal solution for businesses and developers. If your business is looking for a scalable and secure network, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is the way to go! 

Robust features and long term support RHEL provides a solid foundation for managing critical workloads, deploying servers, and building scalable applications. 

Frequently Asked Questions