What is Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)? - Definition from Whatis.com

Definition

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is a distribution of the Linux operating system developed for the business market. RHEL was formerly known as Red Hat Linux Advanced Server.

RHEL 5 was made available in six versions:

  • RHEL (formerly called ES, which was sometimes said to stand for economy or entry-level server)
  • RHEL Advanced Platform (formerly called AS, which was sometimes said
  • to stand for Advanced or Application Server)
  • RHEL Desktop
  • RHEL Desktop with Multi-OS option
  • RHEL Desktop with Workstation and Multi-OS option
  • RHEL Desktop with Workstation option (former WS)

Software in RHEL 5 distribution includes:

RHEL is based on free, open source code. Although Red Hat makes its source code available for download, verbatim copying of the distribution is forbidden.

Related glossary terms: Fedora
This was last updated in September 2007

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