The following contains answers to common questions about Red Hat Network.
Q: What is Red Hat Network?
A: Red Hat Network is a systems support and management environment for Red Hat Linux networks. For more information, please see the Red Hat Network product information page.
Q: What is Software Manager?
A: Software Manager is the name of the first subscription service offered through Red Hat Network.
Q: What do Red Hat Network and Software Manager cost?
A: Registering with Red Hat Network is free and creating system profiles is free. Every customer receives a free Software Manager subscription for one system. Additional subscriptions are $19.95/month for each system.
Q: How do I purchase Software Manager subscriptions?
A: Go to http://rhn.redhat.com/purchase_info.pxt for instructions.
Q: Can I cancel my Red Hat Network Software Manager subscriptions?
A: To cancel your subscriptions, contact Customer Service at (888) RedHat1.
Q: Do I need to use Red Hat Linux to benefit from Red Hat Network?
A: Yes. Currently, you must be running Red Hat Linux 6.2 or higher to utilize Red Hat Network.
Q: How does Software Manager work?
A: Each registered system has a System Profile that contains hardware and software information about the system. Software Manager uses this information to provide you with customized Errata Alerts relevant to your systems. RPM package updates can be downloaded to the client system with the Red Hat Update Agent or scheduled for installation or upgrade with Software Manager.
Q: I'm concerned about my privacy. How secure is Red Hat Network?
A: Security is a high priority for Red Hat Network. Please see the security & privacy documentation for more information.
Q: I can't find the Red Hat Network Registration Client. What is it and where do I find it?
A: The Red Hat Network Registration Client steps you through the process of creating a user account if you do not already have one and registering your system by creating a System Profile. It can be started by using one of the following methods:
In GNOME desktop, go to the Main Menu Button (on the Panel) => Programs => System => Red Hat Network
In KDE desktop, go to the Main Menu Button (on the Panel) => Red Hat => System => Red Hat Network
Type the command rhn_register at a shell prompt (for example an xterm or gnome-terminal)
Q: I downloaded just the RPM files and installed them myself. Can I update my System Profile to reflect the changes?
A: Yes. Type the command up2date -p at a shell prompt. It will update your RPM package list stored on the Red Hat Network servers. Use this command whenever you install, upgrade, or remove packages without using the Red Hat Update Agent.
Q: I forgot my username and password. How do I access my account?
A: Go to http://rhn.redhat.com, click on the Forgot your password? link, and complete the form. Your password will be sent to your email address. If this does not work for you, please call our customer service desk.
Q: Will Red Hat Network update packages that were not installed with the Red Hat distribution?
A: No. Red Hat Network currently supports all RPM packages installed from the Red Hat Linux CD, Red Hat PowerTools CD, and the Red Hat Linux Applications CD.
Q: What version of Red Hat Linux do I have to run to be able to use Red Hat Network and Software Manager?
A: You must be running Red Hat Linux 6.2 or higher.
Q: Why is something called rhnsd running on my system and what does it do?
A: rhnsd is the Red Hat Network Daemon. Every other hour, it sends a request to Red Hat Network asking for any notifications or updates and works in coordination with the Red Hat Network to schedule automated tasks. It only sends information to Red Hat Network requested by you. If you add a new system through the Web, the next time the Red Hat Network Daemon probes Red Hat Network it receives a request to return the information you requested as part of your System Profile, such as what package versions are installed on your system.
Q: Why does the Red Hat Update Agent no longer work?
A: The Red Hat Update Agent (up2date) requires a valid System Profile on Red Hat Network and a Software Manager subscription to function properly. To create a System Profile, run the Red Hat Network Registration Client (rhn_register) on the system that you wish to register with Red Hat Network. Every user receives one free subscription to Software Manager. To purchase additional subscriptions, go to rhn.redhat.com/purchase_info.pxt.
Q: Can I use Red Hat Network to upgrade my Red Hat Linux kernel?
A: Yes. You must use Red Hat Update Agent version 2.5.4 or higher. If you choose the kernel packages and allow Red Hat Network to install them to your system, it will modify your LILO configuration file so that your system boots the new kernel the next time it is rebooted. If you just download the RPM packages and install them yourself, you will need to modify LILO to boot the new kernel.
Q: Why does the Red Hat Update Agent return the error "No Route to Host"?
A: The system you are running it on is not connected to the Internet, or the system is attempting to access Red Hat Network through a proxy server. Proxy server settings can be configured in the newest version of up2date available at http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHBA-2000-138.html. For instructions on configuring the proxy server, refer to the section called General Settings in Chapter 3.
Q: Why does the Red Hat Network Registration Client return the error "No Route to Host"?
A: The system you are running the Red Hat Network Registration Client (rhn_register) on is not connected to the Internet, or the system is attempting to access Red Hat Network through a proxy server. Proxy server settings can be configured in the newest version of rhn_register available at http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHBA-2000-138.html. For instructions on configuring the proxy server, refer to the section called Configuring the Red Hat Network Registration Client in Chapter 2.