Red Hat Unveils Official Red Hat Linux 6.0 Server Operating System

Symmetrical Multi-Processor Support, Two Graphical User Interface Options and Enterprise and Internet Application Support Deliver Powerful, Scalable Linux Package

DURHAM -

Red Hat(r) Software, Inc., the leading developer and support provider of the Linux operating system, today announced Official Red Hat Linux 6.0. This major new release of the award-winning Red Hat Linux server operating system (OS) adds symmetrical multi-processor support (SMP) for up to four processors and many other new features to deliver tremendous horsepower and reliability for the most demanding enterprise and Internet applications running the day-to-day business of companies worldwide.

Red Hat Linux 6.0 continues to expand on Linux's greatest strengths: a powerful server OS with completely open source code and the flexibility to choose features, processors and to alter the system to meet an organization's unique computing needs. Users can now chose to run one of two new, popular graphical user interfaces (GUIs), GNOME or KDE, which make Linux even easier to use with a point-and-click environment that eliminates the need to type in command lines for tasks. For the first time, Red Hat will also offer 30 days of unlimited telephone support for installing version 6.0.

"The breadth of application support and high-end features like SMP support illustrate the maturity of the Linux operating system as an enterprise server platform," said Bob Young, CEO of Red Hat. "When combined with the traditional strengths of Linux, which include unmatched stability, reliability and the freedom to change the operating system, Red Hat Linux 6.0 delivers a powerful, well-supported server operating system capable of handling the most intense and important business applications in today's companies."

Red Hat Linux 6.0 includes the new Linux 2.2 kernel. The new kernel supports more hardware and improves the overall performance of the Linux OS. The Red Hat Package Manager (RPM) is freely available under the GPL license and automatically installs and updates the various pieces of the Linux operating system and lets systems administrators easily distribute Linux across the enterprise.

The Red Hat Linux 6.0 package comes with an Installation Manual, a Getting Started Guide, installation support, and three CDs. This includes an Application CD filled with Internet, development and enterprise software for the Red Hat Linux operating system, including Star Office, Applixware and IBM's ViaVoice.

Additional features of Red Hat Linux 6.0 include:

Full RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Drives) support, including the ability to "Hot Swap" storage devices supported by the operating system. RAID support further enhances Linux's low cost of ownership by enabling companies to use link several inexpensive drives into a single drive to improve performance.

Wide-range of new installation enhancements, including direct downloads from the Web to a user's hard drive. This enables users to quickly and easily download Red Hat Linux 6.0 to their system without wasting disk space. Additional new features to ease installation include SMP motherboard support, new boot disks, PCMCIA support disk, improved package selection and authentication configuration.

Improved GUI to the GNOME windowing tool kit (GTK), which lets developers tie their applications to the GNOME desktop quickly and more easily.

Glibc 2.1, which provides the most up-to-date library glibc library.

Pricing and availability
Red Hat Linux 6.0 has pricing options available from $39.95 to $79.95. It can also be downloaded from ftp.redhat.com immediately. A boxed version with three CDs, including one application CD, Installation Manual, Getting Started Guide, and telephone and email support and will be available in select retail outlets, including Best Buy on May 10.

Corporations and ISPs can purchase additional support packages from Red Hat's new Response Link support center. Several packages are tailored for specific corporate needs: ranging from per-incident packages to full-blown, 24x7 unlimited support. Response Link is available in the U.S. and Canada and includes 800-number call-in and priority response offerings.

About Red Hat, Inc.

Red Hat, the world's leading open source and Linux provider, is headquartered in Raleigh, NC with satellite offices spanning the globe. Red Hat is leading Linux and open source solutions into the mainstream by making high quality, low cost technology accessible. Red Hat provides operating system software along with middleware, applications and management solutions. Red Hat also offers support, training and consulting services to its customers worldwide and through top-tier partnerships. Red Hat's open source strategy offers customers a long term plan for building infrastructures that are based on and leverage open source technologies with focus on security and ease of management. Learn more: http://www.redhat.com

There is no default locale or translation available for this content.

Common with UNIX footnote

LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. Red Hat is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

  • About Red Hat
  • Red Hat is the world’s leading provider of open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to reliable and high-performing cloud, Linux, middleware, storage and virtualization technologies. Red Hat also offers award-winning support, training, and consulting services. As the connective hub in a global network of enterprises, partners, and open source communities, Red Hat helps create relevant, innovative technologies that liberate resources for growth and prepare customers for the future of IT. Learn more at http://www.redhat.com.



  • Forward-Looking Statements
  • Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: risks related to delays or reductions in information technology spending; the effects of industry consolidation; the ability of the Company to compete effectively; the integration of acquisitions and the ability to market successfully acquired technologies and products; uncertainty and adverse results in litigation and related settlements; the inability to adequately protect Company intellectual property and the potential for infringement or breach of license claims of or relating to third party intellectual property; the ability to deliver and stimulate demand for new products and technological innovations on a timely basis; risks related to data and information security vulnerabilities; ineffective management of, and control over, the Company’s growth and international operations; fluctuations in exchange rates; and changes in and a dependence on key personnel, as well as other factors contained in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (copies of which may be accessed through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov), including those found therein under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic and political conditions, governmental and public policy changes and the impact of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company’s views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.