RHEL: Characteristics, advantages and areas of application

RHEL is a commercial linux distribution specially designed to meet the needs of companies. It is distinguished by its technical support, its LSB certifications and its flexible subscriptions. Typical use cases range from high availability databases and files to DEVOPS pipelines until Edge Computing.

What is Rhel?

Rhel is a Linux distribution developed by the company Red Hat, designed for business use. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is considered to be the Leader business linux distribution on the market and benefits from large support from many independent software publishers. The RED HAT Enterprise Linux operating system is based on proven components in open source, but is supplemented by strict quality control, certifications and professional support. RHEL thus offers a stable and proven platform for production environments, which can serve as a basis for various IT structures.

RHEL products variants

RHEL is available in different products of products, each being suitable for workloads and specific application scenarios. The product range includes the following editions:

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server : This edition represents the most frequently used RHEL variant. It offers simplified control and administration and can be deployed on physical material systems, virtual machines and in the cloud. Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server serves as a basis for computer infrastructure and standardizes development as well as deployment.
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for AI : RHEL AI is optimized for workloads in AI and machine learning. In detail, this edition offers a platform for basic models, allowing companies to develop, test and execute their applications using Large Language Models.
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Workstations : The Workstation variant is particularly suitable for intensive workloads in power and graphics, such as animation or visual effects (VFX) and scientific research.
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux in the cloud : RHEL in the Cloud offers certifications for hundreds of public clouds and ensures great flexibility thanks to standardization.

What are the characteristics that distinguish Rhel?

Rhel has a series of striking characteristics, making it ideal for businesses. Here are some:

• Long life cycle : Each version of RHEL benefits from a support of ten years, with sometimes an extension of three more years. However, during the so -called phase Extended Life Phase (ELP), the support is limited.
• Complete safety mechanisms : The RED HAT Enterprise Linux operating system includes various integrated safety functions such as SELINUX (access control) and compulsory access controls (unauthorized access prevention and compliance with policies). Linux distribution is also certified according to Common Criteria and FIPS 140-2.
• Software management : The installation of Red Hat Enterprise Linux is done via a graphic installer named Anaconda, easy to use even for novices. For the management of packages, Rhel uses two tools developed internally, RPM and Yum.
• Open Source Insurance : Red Hat offers RHEL distribution insurance against intellectual property disputes targeting the software. This option allows users to protect themselves legally from any complaints.
• LSB certification : All versions of RHEL are certified by Linux Foundation according to the specifications of the standard Linux Base (LSB). This certification attests that Red Hat Enterprise Linux is binary compatible with other Linux distributions.

Advantages and disadvantages of RHEL

A subscription to Red Hat Enterprise Linux offers companies many advantages that go beyond the simple function of the operating system. Here are the main ones:

• Professional support : Companies have the possibility of contacting telephone and online support, accessing the documentation and using a knowledge base.
• Stable and secure : To guarantee maximum security and stability, Red Hat applications and updates are tested in depth.
• Compatibility : RHEL is licensed by thousands of software, cloud and hardware products, which ensures transparent integration.
• Supported life cycles : An RHEL subscription allows you to freely choose between the supported versions and to perform upgrades individually.
• Road leaves products : Users can consult products' roadmaps and influence Rhel's orientation thanks to their feedback.
• Integrated analysis services : Linux distribution is equipped with Red Hat Insights and associated analysis services, which makes it possible to quickly detect and resolve the risk of security, compliance and configuration.
• Great conviviality : RHEL is distinguished by its easy -to -use and often intuitive interface, allowing users without specific prior knowledge to work with Linux distribution.

As disadvantage, there is only the paying subscription for the Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system to mention. This makes it less attractive to individuals and small businesses, such as startups.

For which RHEL areas is suitable for?

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is mainly aimed at companies and organizations that depend on a long -term stability, security and planning maximum of their computer infrastructure. Targets include, for example, the IT departments of large companies, development teams and data analysts. Among the typical areas of application are included:

• Critical workloads for the company : databases, ERP/CRM systems, or messaging clusters
• Critical security applications : financial services, health or administrations
• High Performance Computing (HPC): Scientific research, risk analyzes in the financial sector or animation and special effects
• Edge Computing: IoT applications (Internet of Things), Autonomous Driving or Industry 4.0
• Application of applications : CI/CD pipelines, tests and deployment of applications, containerized workflows
• SAP workloads : exploitation and accommodation of SAP Netweaver, S/4hana and other SAP solutions

What are RHEL's license models?

The applied license model depends on the physical or virtual use of RHEL. For physical equipment, the number of pairs of sockets in the systems used is decisive. A subscription covers two sockets, which cannot however be divided. In virtual environments, it is the number of virtual nodes which determines the number of necessary subscriptions. Here, a subscription covers two virtual knots.

Subscriptions can be taken out For one or three yearseither without maintenance (self-support), or with a level of service (standard or premium) agreement. At the expiration of the subscription, the software can continue to be used, which is not the case with applications based on the Red Hat services.

Main alternatives to Rhel

Among the many Linux distributions, many can be considered alternatives to RHEL. For a long time, Centos was one of the most popular alternative options, mainly because it is a clone of Rhel. However, since June 2024, no new update or security correction has been published for Centos; Centos Stream succeeds him.

Among the other popular alternatives, we find:

• Ubuntu Seduced by its great conviviality, a simple configuration and reliable stability. The new versions of Ubuntu benefit by default from five years of support.
• Almalinux is an open source distribution with great stability and many safety features, based on RHEL.
• Rocky Linux is also based on RHEL And emphasizes stability, forecast roadmaps as well as transparency in development processes.