Keeping Redhat updated

[RWiggum]

As Linux users, I'm sure we'd all like to think our boxes are impervious to outside security threats. For those of us who know better, what's the best way to keep our systems up to date with the latest security updates?

I'm running RH7.3, and I'd like to stay on top of any security advisories that Redhat issues. But I looked at the list of security patches on redhat.com, and I was a bit overwhelmed. I don't (yet) have a support subscription with Redhat, nor have I signed up for Redhat Network. It appeared that the manual way to do it was open each security fix, download all the patches in each, and install the .rpms one-by-one.

Since I have a pathetic 49kbps dialup connection, this method seems tedious at best. Even with broadband, I could see grabbing all those patches being tedious.

So, what's the forum's opinion? Are the services on Redhat Network worth the $60 yearly subscription? Does up2date make staying on top of updates easier?

[Bokkenka]

RedHat allows you to create a free Personal Account. You can register all the computers with RHN you want, but you can only have one "entitled" computer at a time. RHN has a list of your computers and the packages on them. It will tell you when there are any updates that need to be applied, according to the list. You can update one system, then switch the entitlement to the next and update it, and so on through the list of computers. You only need to pay if you want more than one entitlement.

In my case, I have a laptop (8.0) and a couple desktops (8.0 & 7.3) and a couple servers (7.3 & 7.2). I normally keep the laptop as the entitled computer, because it's the one I use most on the internet.

Up2date is pretty simple... You can run it anytime you want on the entitled computer, and it will go check the list of updates on RHN. You can then choose which ones you want applied, and it will download them and upgrade the packages. Dare I say it, it works pretty much like Windows Update, but better because it runs right off your computer.

[CrashTestDummy9]

Also you can use RedCarpet from Ximian.com . Its a good way to install rpms too because it resolves dependancies for you .

[AnonyPuss]

You'll only want to pay the subscription if you want priority downloads when updating, in other words, if they're servers are very busy, the free accounts will be bumped while the paid members always have priority. I use the free service and just make a point to upgrade after 11pm EDT and hardly ever get bumped during this time.

You say you're on a dial-up, be prepared for many updates. Unlike Windows, Red Hat will update all packages from your profile by default except for the Kernel. Even without the kernel you're looking at over 100Mb for everything else. It is customizable, though.

I would be willing to pay something for bandwidth costs, but $60 seems sort of high just for priority, maybe if they included some commercial apps through the download sections it might be worth it.

[RWiggum]

I did not realize they had a free option to use up2date. I thought the free option was to go through the entire page of bug and security fixes and download them individually.

I'll check into getting a personal account. Thanks for the enlightenment.

[AnonyPuss]

To use up2date, you must register first, easiest way to do that is to go to CL and enter rhn_register, after that you will be prompted for more info. Once that is completed, enter up2date -U.