What is Red Hat Enterprise Linux? Features, Benefits, Use Cases

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a top operating system made for businesses that need a safe, stable, and flexible platform. Created by Red Hat, RHEL uses open-source technology, which means it gets regular updates and improvements from the tech community. Companies pay for a subscription to receive updates and support. This makes RHEL great for important applications, cloud services, and large setups. So, this guide is here to explain the features, benefits, and different ways RHEL is used, showing why it is important for businesses today.

What is Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)?

RHEL is a paid version of Linux made by Red Hat for businesses. It is safe, stable, and works well for big or important jobs. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is based on open-source software, so it gets new features from the tech community. With a subscription, companies get updates as well as support. It has strong security, works with virtual machines, and connects well with cloud systems. RHEL helps businesses run smoothly and safely.

List of Red Hat Linux Versions

Red Hat Linux has gone through several phases since its inception in the 1990s. Here is a breakdown of the major Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions and their evolution:

1. Red Hat Linux (RHL) – Old Versions (1994 - 2003)

Red Hat Linux was the original version made for home and personal use.

Main Versions:

1.0 to 3.0.3 (1994–1996): Very early versions with a simple graphical interface.
4.x (1996–1997): Added the RPM package system to manage software.
5.x (1997–1998): Made installation easier.
6.x (1999–2000): Came with GNOME and KDE desktop environments.
7.x (2000–2002): Used a new compiler (GCC 2.96).
8.0 (2002): Introduced a new desktop look called "Bluecurve".
9 (2003): Generally, the Last version of Red Hat Linux before it ended.

2. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) - Ongoing (2002 to Now)

Red Hat started RHEL for businesses. Red Hat latest version is stable, as well as it gets long-term support.

Key Versions:

Version	Year	Linux Kernel	Support End
RHEL 2.1	2002	2.4	2009
RHEL 3	2003	2.4	2010
RHEL 4	2005	2.6	2012
RHEL 5	2007	2.6	2017
RHEL 6	2010	2.6	2020
RHEL 7	2014	3.10	2024
RHEL 8	2019	4.18	2029
RHEL 9	2022	5.14	2032

3. Fedora - Community Version (Since 2003)

After Red Hat Linux ended, Red Hat created Fedora. Also, it is free, fast-changing, and helps build new features for RHEL.

Summary:

Red Hat Linux: Old version for personal use (ended in 2003).
RHEL: For companies, stable and still active.
Fedora: Free version for the public, gets new features first.

Red Hat operating system Features

Here are the key features of the Red Hat Operating System, especially focusing on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL):

Stability and Reliability
- RHEL has run smoothly for a long time with very few problems.
- It’s great for big systems like servers, data centers, and cloud platforms.
Security
- It has strong security tools like SELinux to control access.
- It gets regular updates to fix security issues.
- Also, it follows government and industry rules to stay safe.
Package Management
- You can easily install and update software using tools like RPM, YUM, or DNF.
Performance
- RHEL works fast and also handles heavy workloads well.
- It supports many CPUs as well as big systems.
Support and Lifecycle
- Red Hat gives help anytime (24/7).
- Each version has updates and support for over 10 years.
Virtualization and Containers
- You can run virtual machines using KVM.
- It also supports containers using tools like Podman, Buildah, and CRI-O.
Cloud-Ready
- Works well with cloud services like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
- Supports hybrid cloud and OpenShift (Red Hat’s Kubernetes system).
System Administration Tools
- You can manage the system using easy tools like Cockpit (web interface), Ansible (automation), and Systemd (service control).

Benefits of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server

RHEL Server is a powerful Linux system administrator that helps businesses with stability, security, and growth. Here are its key benefits in simple terms:

1. Security

Regular Updates: RHEL gets regular security updates to keep your system safe.
Built-in Security: It also has a special security system called SELinux to protect against attacks.

2. Stability and Reliability

Long Support: RHEL offers 10 years of support with regular updates, making it reliable for long-term use.
Trusted for Critical Apps: Many businesses trust RHEL for their important systems because it’s stable.

3. Support and Services

24/7 Help: Red Hat Enterprise Linux for SAP solutions offers around-the-clock support to solve technical problems.
Helpful Resources: RHEL customers can access a knowledge base, training, and a community forum for support.

4. Scalability

Adapts to Needs: RHEL can handle everything from small systems to large setups with many servers.
Cloud-Friendly: It works well with cloud services like AWS, Azure, and Red Hat OpenShift, so you can grow your systems easily.

5. Performance

Built for Speed: RHEL is designed to perform well, even under heavy workloads.
Smart Resource Use: It generally has tools to make sure your system uses resources efficiently.

6. Compatibility

Works with Many Apps: RHEL supports many types of software, so it’s compatible with a lot of tools and services.
Hardware Support: It works with servers from popular brands like Dell, HP, and IBM.

In short, RHEL is a great choice for businesses that need a secure, reliable, and scalable Linux system.

RHEL Linux Use Cases

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a powerful and flexible Linux system used in many industries. Here are some simple examples of how it's used:

1. Enterprise Servers

Web Servers: RHEL is great for running web servers like Apache and Nginx, thanks to its stability and security.
Database Servers: It can run databases like Mysql, Postgresql, and Oracle.
Application Servers: It also works with enterprise software like JBoss and WebLogic.

2. Cloud and Virtualization

Cloud Infrastructure: RHEL is used for cloud apps in services like AWS, Azure, and OpenStack.
Virtualization: It helps run virtual machines with tools like KVM.
Containerization: RHEL supports container systems like Docker and Kubernetes for building and running apps.

3. Development and DevOps

Development: Developers use Red Hat Enterprise Linux to build software with tools for Java, Python, and other languages.
DevOps: RHEL helps automate tasks in DevOps using tools like Ansible, Jenkins, and OpenShift.
CI/CD: RHEL is used to automatically test and deploy software with CI/CD pipelines.

4. Security and Compliance

SELinux: RHEL includes SELinux to secure your system from unauthorized access.
Compliance: RHEL helps meet security standards like HIPAA and PCI-DSS.

5. Edge and IoT

Edge Computing: RHEL is used for processing data close to its source in edge computing.
IoT: It powers Internet of Things (IoT) devices in industries like manufacturing and healthcare.

6. High-Performance Computing (HPC)

Supercomputing: RHEL is used for large, powerful computing tasks in research and data analysis.
Data Analytics: Many big data and machine learning projects run on RHEL due to their performance.

In short, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a reliable choice for many different kinds of work, from running servers to developing software, managing cloud services, and powering advanced research.

Types of Red Hat Linux

RHEL Server: For big business servers.
RHEL Workstation: For developers and engineers.
OpenShift: A platform based on RHEL for using containers in the cloud.
RHEL for SAP: Made for running SAP business tools.
RHEL Atomic Host: A light version made for containers.

What is the Purpose of Red Hat?

Red Hat's goal is to give businesses open-source tools that help them work better and grow. With products like Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Red Hat offers safe and reliable technology for companies' IT systems. The company works with the open-source community to create helpful technology for everyone. Red Hat also helps businesses change and grow by offering support, training, and resources. So, they can keep up with their needs and stay running smoothly.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a powerful platform trusted across industries for its stability, scalability, and enterprise-grade features. Suppose you’re interested in working with Linux-based systems, especially in hardware-software integrations or device-level development. In that case, our Embedded Systems Course offers practical exposure to Linux environments, system programming, and real-time applications.

Conclusion

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is a strong and reliable operating system made for businesses. It offers good security, and strong support, and works well with many types of software. RHEL can be used for servers, cloud systems, and powerful computers. Because it is based on open-source technology, it helps companies stay flexible and ready for change. As businesses grow, RHEL continues to be a trusted choice to keep their systems running smoothly.