topic Re: Linux version and licenses issues in Operating System - Linux

Linux version and licenses issues

Yaboto — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:47:54 GMT

I ordered for Red Hat Linux to be installed on my Proliant Blade servers and here is what they sent me in the packing list:

RHEL 1-2 SKT 985 1 year RHN Nm SW

How would I know the version of Linux they have sent me ?
Where would I get the installation media from,since I haven't seen any in the packing items?

Re: Linux version and licenses issues

Ivan Ferreira — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:07:00 GMT

You have one year of Red Hat Network subscription. You can install any version of Red Hat during that time and the ISO images are available on the Red Hat Network.

Re: Linux version and licenses issues

dirk dierickx — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:41:57 GMT

you don't license a 'version' of RH, you have a license to use _any_ version of RH.

in fact that is not 100% correct either, but it is almost the thruth and most easy to understand/explain.

Re: Linux version and licenses issues

Yaboto — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:09:27 GMT

Thanks !

Re: Linux version and licenses issues

Steven E. Protter — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:53:39 GMT

Shalom,

Further explanation.

Red Hat doesn't own the software it is providing. That is all licensed under gnu and RH is not allowed to charge money.

So their license agreement for use of their trademarks, which is mostly the name red hat and some graphics, requires you have support on every RH system you build.

http://www.centos.org provides the same software without the little red hat pictures. You may use that software forever without support. You can even buy support from a support vendor on CentOS if you wish.

SEP

Re: Linux version and licenses issues

dirk dierickx — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:31:22 GMT

@steven: the gpl does not prevent you from putting a price on software and selling it.