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Red Hat Enterprise - Linux (RHEL) - FAQs

RHEL 6 News
RHEL 6 will be available by KU's Satellite server mid to late February. An upgrade to the current infrastructure is necessary before RHEL6 updates will be available. Until then, you will not be able to update your RHEL6 servers.'

Do I need a special account?

No, anyone who has a KU Online ID can download this software and install it. Be aware that it will only run on a computer that resides on the KU campus. You can not connect to the Satallite server off campus. This includes access through KU Anywhere.

How do I get an activation key?

The activation key will be in the form of a bootstrap-KU.sh script. 

  • A generic activation key will be created for KU students, faculty and staff that can be downloaded from https://redhat.ku.edu/redhat/bootstrap/.  This activation key will be recycled every fall semester to prevent over use.  Systems registered with this key will be un-registered from KU’s Satellite server and will require re-registration. 
  • Departmental technical support staff can call or email the IT Customer Service Center at 864-8080, or at itcsc@ku.edu, to request a departmental activation key that will not expire. Do not share your departmental activation key.
    • Only 1 departmental activation key is required per department. It can be used on multiple departmental servers.

When does my activation key expire?

  • Individual activation keys will be recycled every fall semester (August 1 each year) to prevent over use. Systems registered with this key will be un-registered from KU’s Satellite server and will require re-registration. 
  • Inactive computers not reporting to KU’s Satellite server using the generic activation key may be deleted after 90 days of inactivity.
  • Departmental activation keys will not expire.

How do I renew my activation key?

  • Individual activation keys, which expire annually, must be download from the KU Red Hat Download site. Failure to do so will result in the operating system no longer recieving security or system updates.
  • Departmental activation keys do not have to be renewed. 

What additional features are available for departmental technical support staff?

If your system is using a Provisioning Entitlement, you will be able to access the following additional features:

  • Execution of remote commands.
  • Scheduling software install/removals.

When is this service available?

The RHEL service is available 24x7 except during the weekly maintenance and backups. Backups will be scheduled from 2:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m. each day. When maintenance is performed, communications will be posted on the IT web site and email notices will be sent to the departmental technical support staff.

What is a bootstrap.sh script?

The bootstrap.sh script is generated by the Satellite server.  This script provides the ability to reconfigure client systems to access KU’s Satellite server easily. If used correctly, the script this tool generates can be run from any client system to conduct the following tasks:

  1. Redirect client applications to the RHN Proxy or Satellite.
  2. Import custom GPG keys.
  3. Install SSL certificates.
  4. Register the system to KU’s Satellite server and particular system groups and channels with the help of activation keys.
  5. Perform miscellaneous post-configuration activities, including updating packages, performing reboots, and altering RHN configuration.

How often are the Satellite channels and errata updated?

Between the hours 12:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. The satellite syncs with Red Hat once a day; new patches and errata will be downloaded at that time. If an important security errata is delivered during the day, we may be able to sync the satellite at that time and have the errata available sooner than the scheduled syncs; this may not always be possible.

How can I force a client system to update immediately?

  • If you are using RHEL 3 or 4, log into the client system as root and type: up2date -u.
  • If you are using RHEL 5 Client or Server, log into the system as root and type: yum update.

Why might a system stop checking in with RHN?

Some possible causes include:

  • The system may be off the network, perhaps because it’s a laptop.
  • The "rhnsd" process may not be running on the system

Where do I download the RHEL ISO images?

http://redhat.ku.edu/redhat/isos

How do I download source RPMs?

KU’s Satellite service does not support source RPM download, however they are available from Red Hat: http://ftp.redhat.com/pub/redhat/linux/enterprise/
http://ftp.redhat.com/pub/redhat/linux/updates/enterprise/

What is Red Hat Fedora?

The Fedora Project is an open-source and Red Hat sponsored project which provides a version of Linux that may be used without an annual fee.  For details, see: http://fedora.redhat.com/. Fedora is not available from the Satellite service.

What Red Hat channels (distributions) are available on KU’s Satellite service?

In general, the Satellite service provides access to RHEL software which is still within its Red Hat "lifecycle".  These include RHEL5 Server & Desktop, RHEL4 AS & ES and RHEL3 AS & ES for both 32 and 64 bit versions.

If KU is missing a channel that you would like, please contact the IT Customer Service Center at 785-864-8080 or email itcsc@ku.edu to request a new Satellite channel.

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