Updating Packages with the Red Hat Network

Red Hat Network is an Internet solution for managing one or more Red Hat Linux systems. All Security Alerts, Bug Fix Alerts, and Enhancement Alerts (collectively known as Errata Alerts) can be downloaded directly from Red Hat using the Red Hat Update Agent standalone application or through the RHN Web interface available at http://rhn.redhat.com/.

Note

Everyone receives a free Red Hat Network account for one system. Additional accounts must be purchased.

What You Get with Red Hat Network

Red Hat Network saves users time because they receive an email when updated packages are released. Thus, users do not have to search the Web for updated packages or security alerts. By default, the Red Hat Network installs the packages as well. Users do not have to learn how to use RPM or worry about resolving software package dependencies; RHN does it all.

Each Red Hat Network account comes with:

• Errata Alerts — Learn when Security Alerts, Bug Fix Alerts, and Enhancement Alerts are issued for all the systems in your network through the Basic interface.

• Automatic email notifications — Receive an email notification when an Errata Alert is issued for your system.

• Scheduled Errata Updates — Schedule delivery of Errata Updates (with optional automatic installation).

• Package installation — Schedule package installation on one or more systems with the click of a button.

• Red Hat Update Agent — Use the Red Hat Update Agent to download the latest software packages for your system (with optional package installation).

• Red Hat Network website — Manage multiple systems, download individual packages, and schedule actions such as Errata Updates through a secure Web browser connection from any computer.

Start Using the Red Hat Network

To start using Red Hat Network, follow these steps:

1. Create a System Profile using one of the following methods:

   • Register the system with the Red Hat Network during the Setup Agent the first time your system boots after installation.

   • Click the Main Menu button and choose System Tools > Red Hat Network on your desktop.

   • Execute the up2date command from a shell prompt.

     
     Figure 19-5. Registering with Red Hat Network

2. Log in to RHN at http://rhn.redhat.com/ and entitle the system to a service offering. (Everyone receives a free Red Hat Network account for one system; additional accounts must be purchased.)

3. Start scheduling updates through the RHN website or download and install Errata Updates using the Red Hat Update Agent.

   
   Figure 19-6. Applying Errata with the Update Agent

For more detailed instructions, read the Red Hat Network User Reference Guide available at the following URL:

 http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/RHNetwork/ 

Tip

Red Hat Linux includes the Red Hat Network Alert Notification tool, a convenient Panel applet that displays visible alerts when there is an update for your Red Hat Linux system. Refer to http://rhn.redhat.com/help/basic/applet.html for more information about the applet.