about Redhat Enterprise Linux License / Subscription

[yyghp]

Rehdat Enterprise Linux licensing issue always confuses me.
I have more than 20 Redhat Enterprise Linux ES version 3 installed on >20 servers, and have bought subscriptions(kind of support agreement stuff) for each server ( 1 to 1 ), either basic Subscription or standard Subscription.
Now I am going to install a new server with RHEL, can I install it with the CDs I got before, without buying another subscription? That is, do I have to buy another media or subscription to install new servers?
As I know RHEL is GPL, but I wonder whether I have to buy a new media for such installation.
Please help!
Thanks a lot!

[Ivan Ferreira]

I think that this question does not have a concrete answer. I have asked to Red Hat People the same thing, and with some contradictions, theorically, you can install the product but you cannot access to red hat network services. The "licese" is to use the red hat network.

[yyghp]

I just called Redhat, and the sale representative insisted that I have to buy a subscription to have a new server installed. But I tried to discuss with her with GPL. I can feel that she's not familiar about GPL stuff.

Yes, I agree that their "license" is to use the redhat network, instead of using the software itself. Here's what I got from Redhat FAQs:

Yes, under the General Public License (GP), you may use the software and maintain your own custom version of Linux. However, you will not have access to:
Technical support from Red Hat.
Security or software updates via Red Hat Network. You will have to find updates from alternative resources that provide reliable, secure downloads.
Support from certified hardware suppliers or software vendors like Oracle for applications running on an expired Red Hat Enterprise Linux subscription.
Coverage from the Red Hat Open Source Assurance program, featuring an Intellectual Property Warranty for Red Hat Enterprise Linux customers. Red Hat designed the program to protect customers using open source solutions.

So, how can I confirm whether or not I can install a new Redhat server with those CDs I got from previous subscription? by law.
Any idea?

Thanks!

[Jun Yu]

Hello,

You can keep the media(RHEL CDs) you got from previous subscription and use them to deploy new servers without to purchase new subscription.But these "new installed" servers can't access RHN and have tech support(ofcoz official product warranty).

An example:

2006.1.1 , you purchased 4 subscriptions for your server A, B, C, D. All these four servers have tech support and can access RHN.

2006.2.1 , you use the above media to install RHEL ES on your server E, F, G. These three servers havn't any tech support from Redhat and ofcoz none of them can access RHN to have update or errata, as well as other RHN services.

RedHat doesn't "Own" Linux, All they can and really own are RedHat's logo/trademark, RedHat 's linux distribution(not linux itself), RHN service and warranty, RedHat tech support/services.

Suppose you've heard of "CentOS" , a linux distribution that is built on RedHat Enterprise Linux family's code base but remove all the RedHat "Owned" parts , Ofcoz no RedHat tech services and RHN access.

So you have two better choices:

a. install your new servers with your previous medias. No tech support/RHN from RedHat. You've upgrade/patch these newly installed servers yourself. (also the risks)

b. install these new servers with CentOS. It's free and highly close to RHEL family, ofcoz they provide pretty free quick update service(just like you do online/offline updating works via RHN)by yum.

Good Luck,

[Alexander Chuzhoy]

I had the same question at the time:

You have to purchase license for every RHEL you install.
You don't have to bye standard subscription which is more expensive-basic is cheeper,but the support you get is different of course.

As for subscription-as soon as you register your station-you have 1 year of maintanence/updates.

[Vitaly Karasik_1]

There are a long threads about this topic in all RH maillists since 2002. As far as I understand, RH claims that RH trademarks don't allow you to install RHEL without support contract.