Red Hat Linux 6.1
Popular commercial Linux release is updated
ITINFO SponsorCertification Required.Trainers need certification to get ahead. Certification means more opportunity and more money. The first step to PTT certification is to successfully complete the Train the Trainer Advanced Seminar & Conference. This 2-day event will hone your training skills beyond what you may have imagined possible. And it makes you eligible to apply for Professional Technical Trainer certification. Both the Advanced Seminar and the Boot Camp are open to teachers, instructors, and trainers from all disciplines. The seminars are running in a few weeks. Register now. |
|
Red Hat Linux 6.1 Ships
by Dave Murphy
ISSN 1535-3613
Red Hat released today the latest version of their top-notch Linux operating system, version 6.1. I'm running version 6.0 at our offices, and it's been rock solid and much faster than our Novell NetWare servers. I'm looking forward to installing the version 6.1 upgrade.
Here's some information from Red Hat's press release today...
The latest release of the Red Hat Linux operating system incorporates easy installation, software update information and access, and improved system management capabilities. These new features enable users to harness the power of open source software in the demanding enterprise and Internet applications that run the day-to-day business of companies worldwide.
Red Hat Linux 6.1 extends Red Hat's commitment to customer service and the strength of [true] open source development by incorporating improvements that make it easier to install, maintain and manage Linux-based computing environments. Users can move quickly through installation with graphic-based directions, choosing from GNOME, KDE, server or custom interface settings, with seamless integration of software RAID configurations to safeguard critical data and application availability. Additionally, the PXE 2.0 technology (part of the Wired for Management Baseline 2.0) enables Red Hat Linux 6.1 installations to be done across the network, with no need for local media.
Red Hat Linux 6.1 also provides customers with fast access to the latest software technology from Red Hat through the Red Hat Update Agent, an online customer service application for retrieval and management of software updates. Red Hat has combined the RPM package management technology with the Internet capabilities of Red Hat Linux to seamlessly enable customers to take advantage of the continuous technology improvements offered from the open software development community.
"We expect that the improvements in installation, service, support and performance built into Red Hat Linux 6.1 make it an asset to enterprise networks," said Bob Young, CEO of Red Hat. "Red Hat Linux 6.1 combines the power, stability and flexibility of Linux-based open source operating systems with tools and services to handle critical business applications that ensure the peace of mind for corporate users."
Red Hat Linux 6.1 applies many advances in the 2.2.12 Linux kernel and the collaboration of the open source community, including improvements for high availability Internet server clustering and new Web or email-based configuration support for the Apache Web server.
"Open source continues to make great advances and delivers innovation to enterprise users worldwide. We see rapid advances in Linux-based operating systems as a result of the open source development model," said Young.
"Red Hat Linux 6.1 will be an attractive option to the businesses, Internet service providers, government agencies and universities that make up nearly three-fourths of our customer base." said Michael Lambert, senior vice president, Dell Enterprise Systems Group. "We plan to offer this OS on selected products throughout our entire product line, from notebooks to servers, in the months ahead."
Additional features of Red Hat Linux 6.1
- The first distributed English version of Sun Microsystems' office suite Star Office 5.1a, a complete office platform featuring word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, graphics, web publishing, scheduling, database and management applications.
- Full LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) integration, enabling administrators of large networks to manage distributed computing by authenticating and maintaining information about users and network services.
- 128-bit secure signature technology, Red Hat public key verification of the source of Red Hat Linux 6.1 updates. Available in the US and Canada only.
Through collaboration with Intel Corporation, Red Hat has also included PXE server support, optimizations for the Intel Pentium III processor, and remote management enhancements through support for the Wired for Management Baseline 2.0 specification as part of Red Hat Linux 6.1.
"Intel continues to work closely with Red Hat and the open source community to make Linux run best on Intel Architecture," said Michael Fister, Vice President and General Manager of Intel's Enterprise Server Group. "Red Hat's new release of the Linux operating system has been optimized for the Pentium III Xeon processor and this combination offers customers the performance that is required in today's Internet economy."
Pricing and Availability
The Official Red Hat Linux 6.1 is available in a variety of packages to enable different users to take advantage of open source technology. All boxed packages include an Installation Manual and Reference Guide. Red Hat Linux 6.1 can also be downloaded from ftp://ftp.redhat.com. Available in the U.S. and at international sites, the boxed versions can be purchased in select retail outlets starting October 18 and can be ordered directly from Red Hat.Standard, a package including two operating system CDs, one StarOffice 5.1a CD, 90 days of email support and 30 days of priority online access--for $29.95.
Deluxe, the best way to try Red Hat Linux with two operating system CDs, one StarOffice 5.1a CD, two workstation application CDs, 30 days of phone support, 90 days of email support and 180 days of priority online access--for $79.95.
Professional, the package for serious business users with two operating system CDs, two workstation application CDs, DB2, three server application CDs, one secure server CD, 30 days of phone support, 90 days of email support, 30 days of Apache configuration support and 180 days of priority online access--for $149.95. Available in the US and Canada only.
Corporations and ISPs can purchase additional support packages from Red Hat's Service Center. Several packages are tailored for specific customer needs, ranging from per-incident packages to full-blown, 24x7 unlimited support. Red Hat services and training are available worldwide.
Open Source Momentum
International Data Corp. (IDC) research states that Linux-based operating systems were the fastest-growing server operating environment in 1998, growing more than 190 percent in that year alone and capturing more than 15.8 percent of the 4.4 million revenue shipment server operating environment market.Red Hat's numerous alliances with industry leaders and the demand for Linux-based applications have created open source support from many of the industry's leading software and hardware manufacturers, including Compaq, Computer Associates, Corel, Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Netscape, Novell, Oracle and SAP. Red Hat Linux runs on Intel, Alpha and Sun SPARC platforms.
So, what do you think? What's your favorite flavor of Linux? Or are you an NT camper? Leave your comments on the message center.
Damar Group, Ltd. helps business use technology.
ITINFO is again accepting sponsors. Sponsor messages are included in ITINFO's email newsletter and are permanently posted to DGL's website and online reference areas.
ITINFO is an electronic publication of Damar Group, Ltd., publisher of Training Express computer learning guides. Comments and submissions to info@dgl.com.
Previous issues are on our website at http://dgl.com/itinfo/.
updated October 4, 1999
http://dgl.com/itinfo/1999/it991004.html
Return to DGL homepage
Copyright © 1999, Damar Group, Ltd., All Rights Reserved