Red Hat Enterprise Linux Operating System Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025 Comments Improve Suggest changes Like Article Like Report Linux remains one of the most significant innovations in technology which can be used by every person, company, and business around the world. Out of all varieties of Linux distribution Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) has famously emerged as a tough commercial Linux with extensive support, and security features designed for the enterprise level. As a release engineered to satisfy the high-stakes requirements of today’s commercial environment, RHEL offers a stable and performance-driven infrastructure for even the most critical business workloads.Red Hat Enterprise Linux Operating System Overview of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)Features and EditionsRHEL ServerRHEL WorkstationRHEL for EdgeRHEL for IBM Z and LinuxONEInstallation and DeploymentSystem Administration and ManagementCommon uses of RHELAdvantages of RHELDisadvantages of RHELSecurity and ComplianceWhat is Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)RHEL is a comparative Linux distribution offered by Red Hat Inc. which is an open-source solutions provider company, it is an advanced Linux OS freely offered by Red Hat Inc. It is primarily intended for business applications to meet their niches while providing a highly stable platform to host and execute business-critical applications. Fedora, being an upstream Open Source project, integrates features as part of RHEL while improving the security program, and formal support for all interruptions with assurance of business stability and continuity.Features and Editions Red Hat Enterprise LinuxRHEL ServerThe flagship edition for deploying and running enterprise applications and services across physical, virtual, and cloud environments.Supports a wide range of workloads, including web servers, databases, middleware, and more.Offers advanced virtualization capabilities and container support.RHEL WorkstationA robust desktop environment crafted for developers, designers, and power users.Provides a comprehensive set of tools for creating, testing, and deploying applications.Includes support for popular development frameworks, IDEs, and programming languages.RHEL for EdgeOptimized for edge computing, enabling efficient deployment and management of applications and services at the network edge.Designed for Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing use cases, such as industrial automation, retail, and remote monitoring.Offers lightweight and secure deployment options, as well as remote management capabilities.RHEL for IBM Z and LinuxONEDesigned specifically for IBM's mainframe systems, including IBM Z and LinuxONE.Ensures high availability, scalability, and performance for critical workloads.Provides advanced security features and support for large-scale virtualization.Installation and Deployment of Red Hat Enterprise LinuxYou can follow this article for details on How to Install RHEL Linux. Various other installation options to suit different environments and requirements:Traditional installations from DVD or USB media.Network-based installations using PXE or kickstart automation.Automated deployments using tools like Red Hat Satellite or Ansible.RHEL is available on major public cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP, enabling seamless cloud migration and hybrid cloud strategies.Supports containerized applications and offers integration with popular container platforms like OpenShift.System Administration and Management of Red Hat Enterprise LinuxSubscription management tool for Red Hat, Red Hat entitlements, and updates.Pulp is a web application created to facilitate the management of systems from the cockpit while it also offers a friendly solution for the management of servers.Another one is Red Hat Insights, an advanced analytics and optimization app, that finds and mitigates the possible problems before they turn into an issue.Optimized and sophisticated software solutions for the storage items as well as efficient file system and availability of different storage technologies.Full set of system management utilities including monitoring, tracing, and performance enhancement provisions.Common uses of RHELEnterprise server deployments: RHEL is popular for putting and operating enterprise applications as well as WEB servers, database systems, and middleware on link, virtual and physical.High-performance computing (HPC): RHEL runs very stable and is fast and due to these reasons scientific clusters and calculated intensive work fields use RHEL a lot.Cloud and virtualization: Currently, Red Hat offers specializations for cloud and virtualization, Software Defined Storage, and Containers and integrated Docker Container, to name a few notable ones.Edge computing: RHEL for Edge is a tailored distribution designed to meet the OS needs of edge compute deployments, IoT, and other related applications.Mainframe systems: RHEL offering for IBM Z and LinuxONE runs on scales out specifically for IBM mainframes and provides optimized support to meet high availability and performance demands of business-critical applications.Development and testing: RHEL Workstation offers a highly customizable and secure desktop for developers and designers, as well as well-being users wishing to design and implement applications.Advantages of RHELStability and reliability: RHEL has a reputation for stability and reliability which can be attributed to its excellent performance in environments where availability and dependability are mandatory for mission-critical applications and workloads.Long-term support: RHEL is supported by Red Hat with frequent updates and sources that make it possible to fix any bugs and security issues.Enterprise-grade features: For instance, RHEL has features such as advanced virtualization, SDN capability in storage, and HAC, which belongs to the enterprise package.Certified hardware and software compatibility: RHEL has undergone thorough testing and certification of H- and SWS, thus ensuring compatibility in complex integrations.Comprehensive support and documentation: Red Hat offers a world-renowned support service, an FAQ section, tutorials and blogs, and an extensive network of certified partners and specialists.Disadvantages of RHELCommercial licensing costs: RHEL is a commercial distribution, for which users have to pay expensive subscriptions, annually for its use, something which might be unaffordable to some entities.Delayed access to new features: Despite the fact that it is an enterprise distribution, RHEL tends to focus more on reliability rather than on the newer features, and, as such gets slow on introducing new technologies.Limited community support: Some areas may not be equally as active as other Linux distributions, however, RHEL has a set community of people dedicated to supporting and using this distribution.Proprietary components: Partially, there is some controversy connected with the use of RHEL, as it is based on certain proprietary components and tools that may not satisfy the ideology of some users – fans of the open-source movement.Security and Compliance of Red Hat Enterprise LinuxIt has enhanced security features such as Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux), an integrated Firewall, and other modes of Ant Intrusion.Scheduled security updates patches and errata to fix new bugs, and holes and verify system reliability.Complies with various standards like the PCI-DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP, etc. Through this feature organizations that operate in industries that meet these standards can find compliance solutions easily.Other capabilities include security solutions such as encryption capability and access control as well as auditing.Professional services, all courses, resources, and support developed by Red Hat, and global support from experienced members of the Red Hat team in the deployment, configuration, and troubleshooting processes.Immediate, unrestricted, and organized access to a tremendous amount of information in the form of product and service handbooks, technical documentation, and over the internet connections to solve system administrative and technical issues.Large partner network that offers the possibility to find certified partners, receive training, and use third-party applications.Including open and closed source groups for discussion on all matters and available opportunities for brainstorming and information exchange.ConclusionRed Hat Enterprise Linux empowers organizations to confidently deploy mission-critical applications and workloads, whether running on-premises, in the cloud, or in hybrid environments. With its robust features, enhanced security, long-term support, and a strong ecosystem of partners and resources, RHEL offers a stable and secure foundation for driving innovation and achieving business success. By leveraging RHEL, enterprises can focus on their core competencies while benefiting from a reliable and enterprise-grade Linux distribution backed by Red Hat's expertise and commitment to open-source excellence. Comment More infoAdvertise with us Next Article What is Linux Operating System P poojashu00qn Follow Improve Article Tags : Linux-Unix linux Similar Reads Linux/Unix Tutorial Linux is one of the most widely used open-source operating systems. It's fast, secure, stable, and powers everything from smartphones and servers to cloud platforms and IoT devices. Linux is especially popular among developers, system administrators, and DevOps professionals.Linux is:A Unix-like OS 10 min read Getting Started with LinuxWhat is Linux Operating SystemLinux is based on the UNIX operating system. UNIX is a powerful, multi-user, multitasking operating system originally developed in the 1970s at AT&T Bell Labs. It laid the foundation for many modern operating systems, including Linux.Linux is free and open-source, accessible to everyone.Its sour 10 min read LINUX Full Form - Lovable Intellect Not Using XPLINUX stands for Lovable Intellect Not Using XP. Linux was developed by Linus Torvalds and named after him. Linux is an open-source and community-developed operating system for computers, servers, mainframes, mobile devices, and embedded devices. Linux receives requests from system programs and it r 2 min read Difference between Linux and WindowsLinux: Linux could be a free and open supply OS supported operating system standards. It provides programming interface still as programme compatible with operating system primarily based systems and provides giant selection applications. A UNIX operating system additionally contains several several 7 min read What are Linux Distributions ?A Linux distribution, often shortened to âdistro,â is a packaged version of Linux that comes with the Linux kernel plus a collection of software and utilities that make the OS functional and user-friendly. Some distros are optimized for business environments, offering tools for productivity and ente 8 min read Difference between Unix and LinuxUnix was created in the 1970s by Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs. Dennis Ritchie was also the creator of the C programming language. Originally a command-line operating system, Unix has evolved to support graphical interfaces (GUI) as well. It became popular in universities, enterprises 5 min read Installation with LinuxHow to Install Arch Linux in VirtualBox?Installing Arch Linux on a virtual machine is an excellent way to experience this powerful and flexible Linux distribution without affecting your main system. If you're looking to install Arch Linux in VirtualBox, this guide will take you through the process step-by-step. Arch Linux is known for its 7 min read Fedora Linux Operating SystemFedora Linux is a free and open-source operating system based on the Linux kernel and was developed by the community-supported Fedora Project. It is known for its fast release cycle, which keeps the operating system up to date with the latest software and technologies.What is the Fedora Linux Operat 12 min read How to install Ubuntu on VirtualBox?Installing Ubuntu on VirtualBox is a great way to experience the powerful features of this popular Linux distribution without altering your main operating system. Whether youâre a developer, a student, or simply curious about Linux, setting up Ubuntu on VirtualBox allows you to test and explore in a 6 min read How to Install Linux Mint?Linux Mint is the second-largest Linux-based distro used in the world. Linux Mint is a community-driven Linux distribution based on Ubuntu which itself is based on Debian and bundled with a variety of free and open-source applications. So here we discuss the installation of Linux mint. Installation 3 min read How to Install Kali Linux on Windows?Kali Linux is an open-source Linux distribution based on Debian, designed for sophisticated penetration testing and security auditing. Kali Linux includes hundreds of tools for diverse information security activities such as penetration testing, security research, computer forensics, and reverse eng 2 min read How to Install Linux on Windows PowerShell Subsystem?There are several ways to Install a Linux subsystem on your Windows PC Powershell Environment. It is good for learners, but it is recommended using original Linux OS if you are a developer as the Subsystem lacks the pre-installed Linux tools. Before we begin installing a Linux subsystem, we need to 2 min read How to Find openSUSE Linux Version?openSUSE is well known for its GNU/Linux-based operating systems, mainly Tumbleweed, a tested rolling release, and Leap, a distribution with Long-Term-Support(LTS). MicroOS and Kubic are new transactional, self-contained distributions for use as desktop or container runtime. Here we figure out which 2 min read How to Install CentOSCentOS is a popular open-source Linux distribution aimed at servers and provides compatibility with Red Hat's RPM package manager. It is built with the goal of providing a stable operating system that provided great compatibility with the upstream RHEL (Red hat enterprise Linux) CentOS is therefore 2 min read Linux CommandsLinux CommandsLinux commands are essential for controlling and managing the system through the terminal. This terminal is similar to the command prompt in Windows. Itâs important to note that Linux/Unix commands are case-sensitive. These commands are used for tasks like file handling, process management, user adm 15+ min read Essential Unix CommandsUnix commands are a set of commands that are used to interact with the Unix operating system. Unix is a powerful, multi-user, multi-tasking operating system that was developed in the 1960s by Bell Labs. Unix commands are entered at the command prompt in a terminal window, and they allow users to per 7 min read How to Find a File in Linux | Find CommandThe find command in Linux is used to search for files and directories based on name, type, size, date, or other conditions. It scans the specified directory and its sub directories to locate files matching the given criteria.find command uses are:Search based on modification time (e.g., files edited 9 min read Linux File SystemLinux File SystemA file system is a structured method of storing and managing dataâincluding files, directories, and metadataâon your machine. Think of it like a library. If thousands of books were scattered around, finding one would be hard. But in an organized structure, like labeled shelves, locating a book becom 12 min read Linux File Hierarchy StructureThe Linux File Hierarchy Structure or the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS) defines the directory structure and directory contents in Unix-like operating systems. It is maintained by the Linux Foundation. In the FHS, all files and directories appear under the root directory /, even if they are sto 6 min read Linux Directory StructureIn Linux, everything is treated as a file even if it is a normal file, a directory, or even a device such as a printer or keyboard. All the directories and files are stored under one root directory which is represented by a forward slash /. The Linux directory layout follows the Filesystem Hierarchy 6 min read Linux KernelLinux KernelLinux Kernel is the heart of Linux operating systems. It is an open-source (source code that can be used by anyone freely) software that is most popular and widely used in the industry as well as on a personal use basis. Who created Linux and why? Linux was created by Linus Torvalds in 1991 as a hob 4 min read Kernel in Operating SystemA kernel is the core part of an operating system. It acts as a bridge between software applications and the hardware of a computer. The kernel manages system resources, such as the CPU, memory and devices, ensuring everything works together smoothly and efficiently. It handles tasks like running pro 9 min read How Linux Kernel Boots?Many processes are running in the background when we press the system's power button. It is very important to learn the Linux boot process to understand the workings of any operating system. Knowing how the kernel boots is a must to solve the booting error. It is a very interesting topic to learn, l 11 min read Difference between Operating System and KernelIn the world of computing, two terms that are frequently mentioned are Operating System (OS) and Kernel. In this article, we will explore the key differences between the OS and the Kernel, their functions, and how they work together to manage hardware and software.What is an Operating System?An Oper 3 min read Linux Kernel Module Programming: Hello World ProgramKernel modules are pieces of code that can be loaded and unloaded into the kernel upon demand. They extend the functionality of the kernel without the need to reboot the system. Custom codes can be added to Linux kernels via two methods. The basic way is to add the code to the kernel source tree and 7 min read Linux Loadable Kernel ModuleIf you want to add code to a Linux kit, the basic way to do that is to add source files to the kernel source tree and assemble the kernel. In fact, the process of setting up the kernel consists mainly of selecting which files to upload to the kernel will be merged. But you can also add code to the L 7 min read Loadable Kernel Module - Linux Device Driver DevelopmentFor Linux device drivers, we can use only two languages: Assembler and C. Assembler implements the main parts of the Linux kernel, while C implements the architecture-dependent parts. Uploaded kernel modules are often referred to as kernel modules or modules, but those are misleading names because t 4 min read Linux Networking ToolsNetwork configuration and troubleshooting commands in LinuxComputers are often connected to each other on a network. They send requests to each other in the form of packets that travel from the host to the destination. Linux provides various commands from network configuration and troubleshooting. Network Configuration and Troubleshooting Commands in Linux 5 min read How to configure network interfaces in CentOS?A network interface is a link between a computer and another network(Private or Public). The network interface is basically a card which is known as NIC or Network Interface Card, this does not necessarily have to be in a physical form instead, it can be inbuilt into the software. If we take the exa 5 min read Command-Line Tools and Utilities For Network Management in LinuxIf you are thinking of becoming a system administrator, or you are already a system admin, then this article is for you.As a system admin, your daily routine will include configuring, maintaining, troubleshooting, monitoring, securing networks, and managing servers within data centers. Network confi 8 min read Linux - Network Monitoring ToolsNetwork monitoring is using a system (hardware or software) that continuously observes your network and the data flows through it, depending on how the monitoring solution actually functions and informs the network administrator. We can keep a check on all the activities of our network easily. While 4 min read Linux ProcessProcesses in Linux/UnixA program/command when executed, a special instance is provided by the system to the process. This instance consists of all the services/resources that may be utilized by the process under execution. Whenever a command is issued in Unix/Linux, it creates/starts a new process. For example, pwd when i 6 min read How to Manage Process in LinuxA process means a program in execution. It generally takes an input, processes it, and gives us the appropriate output. Every time you launch an application or execute a command, the system creates a process for it. It involves controlling and monitoring all the running programs on the system. The L 4 min read Getting System and Process Information Using C Programming and Shell in LinuxWhenever you start a new process in Linux it creates a file in /proc/ folder with the same name as that of the process id of the process. In that folder, there is a file named "status" which has all the details of the process. We can get those Process Information Through shell as follows: cat /proc/ 2 min read Process states and Transitions in a UNIX ProcessProcess is an instance of a program in execution. A set of processes combined together make a complete program. There are two categories of processes in Unix, namely User processes : They are operated in user mode. Kernel processes : They are operated in kernel mode. Process States The lifetime of a 4 min read Linux FirewallLINUX FirewallLinux OS, we must know that it is a system based on Unix-like. Systems that are called Unix-like or Unix-based are designed to behave and function similarly to the Unix OS. Linux OS comes under the open-source family (code designed to be publicly accessible) and is based on the Linux kernel. It was 7 min read iptables command in Linux with ExamplesThe iptables command in Linux is a powerful tool that is used for managing the firewall rules and network traffic. It facilitates allowing the administrators to configure rules that help how packets are filtered, translated, or forwarded. On using this iptables, you can set up security policies to c 7 min read How to Configure your Linux Firewall - 3 MethodsA Linux firewall is essential for protecting your system from unauthorized access and attacks. By configuring firewall rules, you can control the flow of traffic into and out of your system. Linux offers multiple firewall management tools, including iptables and firewalld, both of which can be used 12 min read Shell Scripting & Bash ScriptingIntroduction to Linux Shell and Shell ScriptingWhenever we use any modern operating system like Linux, macOS, or Windows we are indirectly interacting with a shell, the program that interprets and executes our commands. While running Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or any other Linux distribution, we are interacting with the shell by using the terminal. In 8 min read What is Terminal, Console, Shell and Kernel?Understanding the terms terminal, console, shell, and kernel is crucial for anyone working with computers or learning about operating systems. These concepts are key components of how we interact with our devices and software. The terminal is a text-based interface used to interact with the computer 5 min read How to Create a Shell Script in linuxShell is an interface of the operating system. It accepts commands from users and interprets them to the operating system. If you want to run a bunch of commands together, you can do so by creating a shell script. Shell scripts are very useful if you need to do a task routinely, like taking a backup 7 min read Shell Scripting - Different types of VariablesThe shell is a command-line interpreter for Linux and Unix systems. It provides an interface between the user and the kernel and executes commands. A sequence of commands can be written in a file for execution in the shell. It is called shell scripting. It helps to automate tasks in Linux. Scripting 4 min read Bash Scripting - Introduction to Bash and Bash ScriptingBash is a command-line interpreter or Unix Shell and it is widely used in GNU/Linux Operating System. It is written by Brian Jhan Fox. It is used as a default login shell for most Linux distributions. Scripting is used to automate the execution of the tasks so that humans do not need to perform them 12 min read Bash Script - Define Bash Variables and its typesVariables are an important aspect of any programming language. Without variables, you will not be able to store any required data. With the help of variables, data is stored at a particular memory address and then it can be accessed as well as modified when required. In other words, variables let yo 12 min read Shell Scripting - Shell VariablesA shell variable is a character string in a shell that stores some value. It could be an integer, filename, string, or some shell command itself. Basically, it is a pointer to the actual data stored in memory. We have a few rules that have to be followed while writing variables in the script (which 6 min read Bash Script - Difference between Bash Script and Shell ScriptIn computer programming, a script is defined as a sequence of instructions that is executed by another program. A shell is a command-line interpreter of Linux which provides an interface between the user and the kernel system and executes a sequence of instructions called commands. A shell is capabl 4 min read Shell Scripting - Difference between Korn Shell and Bash shellKorn Shell: Korn Shell or KSH was developed by a person named David Korn, which attempts to integrate the features of other shells like C shell, Bourne Shell, etc. Korn Shell allows developers to generate and create new shell commands whenever it is required. Korn shell was developed a long year bac 3 min read Shell Scripting - Interactive and Non-Interactive ShellA shell gives us an interface to the Unix system. While using an operating system, we indirectly interact with the shell. On Linux distribution systems, each time we use a terminal, we interact with the shell. The job of the shell is to interpret or analyze the Unix commands given by users. A shell 3 min read Shell Script to Show the Difference Between echo â$SHELLâ and echo â$SHELLâIn shell scripting and Linux, the echo command is used to display text on the terminal or console. When used with the $SHELL variable, which contains the path of the current user's shell program, the output of the echo command can be different depending on whether the variable is enclosed in single 4 min read Like