INFOBrief. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3. Key Points

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1 INFOBrief Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 Key Points Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 is the second release of Red Hat s Enterprise Linux product line. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 (RHEL) is available in three variants, each of which is based on the same source code. Those variants are: o o o Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 AS - For the most demanding data center environments. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 ES - To meet the needs of the small to medium workgroups or remote office. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 WS For workstation use and servers in High Performance Computing Cluster (HPCC) configurations. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 ES is available factory installed on all Dell platforms with 2 CPUs or less. RHEL 3 AS is not available factory installed and is offered as drop in the box software only for platforms with the capacity for more than 2 CPUs or 8GB of memory. RHEL 3 WS is only available from Dell on workstations (Dell Precision line) or servers purchased as part of a HPCC configuration. WS is available factory installed on both Dell Precision and HPCC compute nodes. RHEL 3 ES is intended to replace the Professional line of Linux products from Dell and Red Hat. Red Hat s Professional line of products are scheduled to End of Life early in Please see this document for further information: _v4.pdf. Dell Enterprise Systems Group Page 1 February 2004

2 RHEL 3 is supplied only as part of a SUBSCRIPTION service. The pricing for Enterprise Linux is an annual fee to the Red Hat Network (RHN) software update and distribution service, rather than a one-time product purchase. An active subscription is MANDATORY for a customer to receive support from Red Hat and Dell. Dell offers both a one year pre-paid subscription to RHN (the base product) and a three year pre-paid subscription. The three year subscription is required for all customers wishing to take out Dell Gold and Silver support contracts. At the first release by Dell of RHEL 3, the Red Hat Cluster Suite option (for high availability clustering) is specifically not supported by Dell. Red Hat Cluster Suite is Red Hat software that enables a customer to add High Availability to an existing system. The cluster suite software is the subject of a separate release from Dell and will be launched after the initial release of the RHEL 3 operating systems. A separate InfoBRIEF will be published at the time of the Dell release of the Red Hat Cluster Suite. Only a small subset of Dell s product line will be qualified and supported with this cluster software and the InfoBRIEF will detail those configurations. Linux provides a cost-effective, optimal operating environment for the replacement of proprietary UNIX/RISC systems by using Dell PowerEdge servers. Many organizations are now beginning the process of migrating key applications from expensive, RISC-based systems onto Intel processor-based platforms running Linux. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 is an ideal platform for that migration. Dell Enterprise Systems Group Page 2 February 2004

3 Background to the Dell and Red Hat Partnership Red Hat has been Dell s strategic partner for Linux since In 2000, Dell and Red Hat expanded the scope of the relationship to form the One Source Alliance, offering customers a single source for licenses, support, installation and training on Red Hat Linux. This unique relationship unites Red Hatʹs leadership in the Open Source market with Dellʹs commitment to meeting the demand for Linux from the edge of the Internet to the heart of the Enterprise. The partnership s goal is to speed the commercial acceptance and adoption of Linux and to provide customers with one source for Linux solutions. Through this partnership, Dell can provide customers with Red Hat Linux factory-installed on PowerEdge servers. RHEL 3 is fully supported by Dell on PowerEdge servers and many Dell Precision workstations. Product Description RHEL 3, the second release of Red Hat s Enterprise Linux product line, represents a fundamental shift in not only the way Linux is delivered to customers by Red Hat with the introduction of the subscription model. In recognition of the needs of corporate customers for a consistent, manageable platform for both development and datacenter deployments, RHEL is available in three variants, each of which is based on the same source code. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 AS This product is intended for the most demanding datacenter environments. AS supports large SMP systems with up to 16 CPUs and 64GB of memory. Target platforms for this product would include the Dell PowerEdge 6xx0 servers. Target applications include large databases (Oracle) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) application suites (SAP, PeopleSoft). Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 ES To meet the needs of the workgroup or remote office, ES supports dual-processor systems with up to 8GB of memory. Please provide support that ES can provide support of up to 8GB of memory.) Target platforms for this product would include the Dell PowerEdge 2xx0, 1xx0, and SC products. Target applications for this product would include web servers, file servers, and other infrastructure components like Domain Name Service (DNS), Dell Enterprise Systems Group Page 3 February 2004

4 Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and small Java server applications. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 WS For workstation use and servers used as compute nodes in HPCC configurations. RHEL 3 WS is only available from Dell on workstations (Dell Precision line) or PowerEdge servers purchased as part of a HPCC configuration. Each version of RHEL 3 features the following: Performance RHEL 3 delivers enterprise-class performance with features like: Native Posix Thread Library (NPTL) support New GCC 3.2 compiler Hyperthreading scheduler Scalability RHEL 3 has been enhanced with additional enterprise features: Logical Volume Manager 64-bit SCSI/Fibre Channel DMA Up to 256 SCSI devices Manageability RHEL x 3 contains the RHN service as well as incremental pieces of management functionality: Integrated Java Environment System Crash Dump Analysis Utility Ethernet driver support RHEL 3 as delivered by Dell contains two different Ethernet drivers to support the Broadcom NIC in Dell PowerEdge servers. Those drivers are known as the bcm5700 and the TG3. Both drivers are supported by Dell as part of the release of RHEL 3, but only the TG3 driver is supported by Red Hat. For the convenience of customers using Red Hatʹs support services, the TG3 driver is the default driver for systems factory installed by Dell. The Dell Enterprise Systems Group Page 4 February 2004

5 Broadcom-authored bcm5700 driver is available and included as an RPM in the ʹdellʹ directory in the root file system. Customers who have a Dell support contract and also wish to use the more advanced features of the Broadcom authored driver are encouraged to do so. Customers who do not have a Dell support contract are advised that Red Hat may not support a kernel using the Broadcom driver and customers are likely to be asked to swap to the TG3 driver when calling Red Hat for support. Red Hat Network RHEL 3 is available ONLY as part of a Red Hat Network (RHN) subscription. This represents a fundamental shift in the way Red Hat Linux is delivered to customers. EVERY customer is expected to maintain a current subscription to RHN. When a Dell customer purchases a system with a member of the RHEL family, the product automatically comes with either a one or three year subscription to RHN. Dell customers who do not wish to purchase a Dell support product that contains software support (such as Silver or Gold) should choose the oneyear subscription. Customers with an existing Dell support contract or customers who intend to buy Dell support with their new system should choose the three-year subscription. Currently RHN is a web-based service that allows system managers to download the latest set of software upgrades and patches from a set of central servers at Red Hat. System managers responsible for more than a single server are able to build logical groups of servers and set policies for group updates and version control across their entire installed base. RHN is a very powerful tool for system administrators who wish to keep their systems as up to date as possible while maintaining version control across their entire site. In the future Red Hat Network will evolve into a complete systems management platform for Linux. It is built on open standards and uses a simple, Internet-based graphical interface. It also features a modular design as networks grow, administrators can add enhanced capabilities for system updates, management, and monitoring of their entire infrastructure. Dell Enterprise Systems Group Page 5 February 2004

6 Target Markets/Applications With the introduction of Enterprise Linux 3, Red Hat offers individual products with capabilities to meet different markets needs. Though all three products are based on the same source code, their target markets are quite different. RHEL 3 is a potential replacement for almost any proprietary RISC/UNIX environment that would like to evolve to industrystandard software and hardware. Many users regard Enterprise Linux AS as an effective alternative to commercial UNIX operating systems running software applications on proprietary RISC hardware. Some of those applications include: databases like Oracle, Sybase, and PostgreSQL or ERP and CRM applications like Oracle, SAP and PeopleSoft. A supported maximum of two processors per server and 8GB of memory means that Enterprise Linux ES can support demanding remote office and departmental computing needs. Enterprise Linux ES low price point also makes it a cost-effective solution for these environments. Where Linux continues to be deployed for Internet infrastructure applications including web servers, firewalls, caching and file/print, RHEL ES 3 would be the correct choice for such deployments. Dell Enterprise Systems Group Page 6 February 2004

7 Features and Benefits of Red Hat Linux The key features and benefits of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 are detailed in Table 1. Table 1 Features, Functions, and Benefits of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 Feature Function Benefit Kernel Logical Volume Manager (LVM) Forward Compatibility between RHEL 2.1 and RHEL 3 The most current of the 2.4 kernel series, with numerous features backported from the 2.5/2.6 tree. LVM allows disk storage to be combined into a logical pool then partitioned according to application requirements. Also includes the ability to dynamically expand logical volumes. RHEL 2.1 compatibility libraries are included with RHEL 3. The latest technology in a stable, tested kernel. Next-generation features are available without the risk of moving to next generation of kernels. Previously customers needed to purchase expensive third-party volume management products. The incorporation of sophisticated storage management features into RHEL 3 further positions it as an alternative to proprietary RISC/UNIX operating systems. Can run applications written for earlier versions of Enterprise Linux. 4/4 Memory Split Increased kernel & user address space for X86 systems, allowing support for 64GB of main memory and larger user applications Offers a 30% larger memory pool than previously available from RHL to meet the demands of large enterprise applications such as Oracle or SAP/R3. Enhanced Standards Support RHEL 3 is Linux Standards Base 1.3 compliant and is Supports commercial and government standards for application Dell Enterprise Systems Group Page 7 February 2004

8 Feature Function Benefit Enhanced Security Native Posix Thread Library Excellent Desktop Performance Diskless System Support Improved Compiler/Tools New and Enhanced Networking Feature No. 1 undergoing NIAP CC EAL 2 certification. Support for filesystem ACLs and kernel-level IPSec cryptography. High-performance multi-threading capability. Includes BlueCurve and personal productivity applications. Allows RHEL to boot diskless clients and host applications on the server. GCC 3.2 and debugging/profiling tools included. Channel bonding compatibility and security. Helps ensure that user/application files and network communications are secure. Helps improve performance for multithreaded applications (for example, Java). Suitable for general desktop and technical workstation environments. Helps improve client manageability/security. [Multiple clients can boot from a single OS image. All OS and application files along with all user data is maintained on the server. Compiler is ANSI C++ compliant and delivers many code-generation improvements. Included development and profiling tools help simplify debugging and performance tuning of new applications. Multiple network cards may be aggregated to a single logical interface for great performance. New and Enhanced Networking Feature Kernel-level IPsec Network communications may be encrypted using Dell Enterprise Systems Group Page 8 February 2004

9 Feature Function Benefit No. 2 New and Enhanced Networking Feature No. 3 NFS improvements industry-standard IPsec cryptography. Great performance for UNIX network file sharing. Key Customer Benefits The next generation of an enterprise-ready family RHEL 3 delivers on the promise originally made by Red Hat when they announced Enterprise Linux in Red Hat s promise was to deliver an operating system on industry standard systems with the features customers have come to expect from UNIX on proprietary systems. Stable platform for ISV software When software vendors like Oracle and SAP realized the benefits of standard systems and began embracing Linux, Red Hat offered Linux with a longer lifecycle and mature management features to meet their needs. Manageability Integrated Java support and a unified console manager help reduce the number of management packages required to deploy the software in the field. Low Cost to Deploy Since Linux is open source and does not require site or individual user licenses, it can help to greatly reduce the cost of implementing the operating system. Thus, RHEL deployments usually cost less than other commercial operating systems making it highly attractive when licensing costs are an issue and to users who want to optimize their TCO from enterprise deployments. Dell Enterprise Systems Group Page 9 February 2004

10 Service and Support Support Services Dell s Enterprise Services and Basic Response Services provide flexible support options for comprehensive system coverage of the RHEL operating systems and Dell PowerEdge servers. Enterprise Services With the Enterprise Services suite, Dell becomes a partner to its customers organizations, working closely with them to resolve problems quickly and smoothly, no matter how large or small the incident. Customers receive immediate access to Dellʹs senior-level hardware and software experts and fast resolution times. Dell provides attentive support, focused on maximizing system availability. Platinum Enterprise Services: Dell s most advanced support provides you with comprehensive site-based support for your production environments. Key program features include: designated Technical Account Managers; engineer-to-engineer support through our Enterprise Expert Center; account/ support planning services; flexible billing options; customerdefined call priority; support consulting; reporting, and a menu of a la carte options that allow you to design the support service that best fits your unique environment. Options include: on-demand engineer dispatch, on-site 1 engineer, variable software support options, choice of several onsite 1 response times, on-site 1 spares, and training. Gold Enterprise Services: Gold offers around-the-clock, rapid, expert support for production systems. Key program features include: engineerto-engineer telephone support through the Gold Queue; Technical Account Management Team support services; 4-hour same day 7x24 on-site 1 hardware response; customer-defined call priority; software support resolutions; seamless support for select third party vendors; and Webbased remote troubleshooting. Options include: on-site engineer, on-site spares, and training and certification services. Basic Response Services Silver Same Day Basic Response: Silver support offers enhanced, prompt, remote and on-site 1 service designed for non-time-sensitive systems such as development or departmental servers. Silver support features 4-hour Same Day on-site 1 hardware support, software support resolutions, lifetime telephone-based troubleshooting, and access to our online support tools. Dell Enterprise Systems Group Page 10 February 2004

11 Dell Advanced Software Support For customers needing expert assistance with server software, Dell offers customized 7x24 toll-free priority access software support for RHEL operating systems running on Red Hat certified PowerEdge servers. Designed for great flexibility to meet customer support requirements, Advanced Software Support Resolutions are sold in 1, 3, & 5 resolution packages and can be purchased as needed, when needed. Software Resolutions Packs provide customers with direct phone access to Dell s highly trained Linux support professionals 24-hours a day to help resolve installation and configuration problems and to troubleshoot the Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system should problems arise while running on your PowerEdge server. Gold and Platinum Enterprise Services: For Severity 1 software issues, customers will be transferred directly to a software analyst. For Severity 2 and 3 software issues, Gold and Platinum customers will receive a call back within eight hours or less, from a Dell software analyst. Gold support comes standard with three software support resolutions that are valid for three years. Platinum offers optional software support resolutions. Silver Same Day Basic Response: Silver support comes standard with three software support resolutions. Silver customers will receive a call back within one hour for critical software issues, and within eight hours for non-critical issues. Professional Services Dell Professional Services offers a full suite of services - from assessment and design through validation and deployment - that can help you quickly realize the cost savings and performance advantages of running a Red Hat Linux operating system on Dell industry-standard technology. All professional services are delivered through Dell, offering a single point of accountability, and leverage the expertise of Dell, Red Hat and other best-in-class service partners to deliver a solution to meet your current and future business needs. Skilled consultants in Dell Professional Services (DPS) leverage proven methodologies and best practices in designing solutions that encompass Dell server and storage products and a Red Hat Linux operating system. Offerings include: Internet Infrastructure Services to help clients create an efficient, highly available and scalable IT infrastructure. Migration Services designed to reduce risk and speed transition from UNIX environments to the Linux platform. Dell Enterprise Systems Group Page 11 February 2004

12 Oracle 9i and 9i RAC services help customers quickly and cost-effectively migrate, implement and optimize Oracle 9i and 9i RAC solutions. HPCC Services leverage the experience of DPS consultants to design and deploy a cost-effective, flexible, and scalable HPCC solution. Dell Training & Certification Dell Training & Certification provides you a single point of contact for purchasing training that can lead to Red Hat Certified Technician (RHCT) and Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certifications. Red Hat certification courses and exams combine key concepts of Linux with thorough, hands-on experience building and managing Red Hat Enterprise Linux solutions. More Information on Dell Services for Red Hat Linux For the United States, an overview of services for Linux can be downloaded from the following URL (Microsoft Word Format): us&cs=555&l=en&s=biz For Europe, Middle East, Africa, an overview of services for Linux can be downloaded from the regional web sites. Please access your local Dell web site. 1 Service may be provided by third-party. Technician will be dispatched if necessary following phone-based troubleshooting. Subject to parts availability, geographical restrictions and terms of service contract. Service timing dependent upon time of day call placed to Dell. U.S. only. Dell and PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Inc. Red Hat is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell disclaims proprietary interest in the marks and names of others. Copyright 2004 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. For more information contact Dell. Dell Enterprise Systems Group Page 12 February 2004

InfoBrief. Platform ROCKS Enterprise Edition Dell Cluster Software Offering. Key Points

InfoBrief. Platform ROCKS Enterprise Edition Dell Cluster Software Offering. Key Points InfoBrief Platform ROCKS Enterprise Edition Dell Cluster Software Offering Key Points High Performance Computing Clusters (HPCC) offer a cost effective, scalable solution for demanding, compute intensive