Features

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5, originally released in March 2007, contains more than 1,200 components covering a broad range of functionality. Red Hat Enterprise Linux provides CIOs and IT managers with the means to reduce costs while improving operational flexibility throughout their computing infrastructure.

The following list provides a brief summary of the more important enhancements. For additional details, see the server and desktop Red Hat Enterprise Linux product sections.

Virtualization with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5

• Virtualization is provided in all Red Hat Enterprise Linux server products and is optionally available for desktop products
• Storage and extended server virtualization are provided with Red Hat Enterprise Linux Advanced Platform
• Red Hat Network supports virtualized guest operating systems
• virt-manager, libvirt/virsh management tools are available for single system or scripted virtualization management
• Integration with Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization is available for enterprise virtualization management

Kernel and performance

• Currently in update 4
• Based on the Linux 2.6.18 kernel
• Optimized for multi-core processors
• Continued hardware support for maximum flexibility
• Development and performance tools, including SystemTap
• advanced I/O performance and virtualization technologies, such as SRIOV
• Large SMP support for both physical and virtual systems
• IPv4/IPv6 fragmentation offload and buffer management
• Dynamically switchable per-queue I/O schedulers
• Kernel buffer splice capability for improved I/O buffer operations

Packaging

Security

• SELinux enhancements include Multi-Level Security and targeted policies for all services
• SEtroubleshooter GUI simplifies SELinux management
• Integrated directory and security capabilities
• IPSEC enhancements improve security and performance
• ExecShield enhancements, such as a call frame Canary word, strengthen hacker defenses
• New Audit features provide powerful new search/reporting and real-time monitoring

Networking & interoperability

• Network storage enhancements include Autofs, FS-Cache, and iSCSI support
• IPv6 support and conformance enhancements
• Improved Microsoft® file/print and Active Directory integration, including support for Windows

Desktop

• Desktop enhancements include updated configuration tools, applications, and laptop support
• Foundational Stateless Linux features (X autoconfigure, NetworkManager, etc.)
• Improved ACPI support with features such as suspend to disk
• Smart card login - with PKI/Kerberos authentication
• Integrated multimedia support
• Enhanced plug and play hardware support (cameras, printers, scanners, etc.)
• Network Manager provides automatic wired and wireless network configuration
• Enhanced graphics using AIGLX/Compiz (with fading, transparency, etc.)

Development environment

• Enhanced application development tools including SystemTap profiler and Frysk debugger
• GCC 4.1 and glibc 2.5 toolchain

Storage

• Support for root device multipath IO (MPIO) improves availability
• Single system/guest version of Red Hat Global File System included in the base server product
• Block device data encryption support

Management

• Numerous installer improvements make system configuration simpler
• Yum/Pup-based updater for Red Hat Network
• Conga cluster and storage management (with Advanced Platform)
• Integrated support with Satellite server

Transition off previous Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS, ES, WS and Red Hat Desktop offerings with simplified server and client products:

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