Renewing Red Hat Network subscription

Question

Hello!

Well, I feel like either I'm between a rock and a hard place *OR* a tennis ball.

I just got my 90 notice from the Red Hat Network that my two subscriptions are about to expire. These subscriptions came with the two Dell Precision 390 systems I purchased from Dell.

When I check the Red Hat Network renewal page ( https://www.redhat.com/rhel/renew/renewaloptions/ ), it says:

Select the name of Red Hat partner from whom you originally purchased your Red Hat subscription below to complete a renewal request form. Red Hat will forward your inquiry to the appropriate Red Hat partner who can assist you with your renewal.

There is a link to Dell. When I click on the Dell link it asks for an username and password, I don't have. It says:

This renewal portal requires a separate login from your redhat.com login. You are logging in to a secure, private renewals portal provided by Red Hat and Rainmaker Systems.

When I contacted Dell for this username and password, I'm told to contact Red Hat to renew my subscription. When I contact Red Hat they say they can't renew my subscription as it came from Dell (only one who can renew it).

Red Hat's suggestion is to let my subscriptions expire and then find someone who will sell me one. Duh!! I'm not looking to buy two copies of Red Hat over again, I'm looking to renew!

OK, so here are my questions:

1) When I check with various resellers, such as CDW, I see a lot of choices. I'm using Red Hat Enterprise WS 4. Which of these many choices will renew my subscription??????? These choices range from $80 to $10,000+, which is more than two systems cost combined.

2) Anyone else gone through this situation and if so, what is your experience?

3) Any suggestions (other than install Windows XP Pro x64 or Vista x64)?

System: Dell Precision 390
CPU: Q6700
RAM: 8GB
HD: 320 & 500 GB
Video: nVidia FX-550

Thanks in advance for your time and help.

Bert Moshier

Message Edited by bertrammoshier on 02-06-2008 12:44 PM

dasunst3r · Answer

I would like to start off by asking a few questions:

What environment is this computer used in?
Do you really need professional support? Can you rely on community support?

From what I can see at https://www.redhat.com/apps/store/desktop/ , you should have to pay no more than $339 for the subscriptions, but you will need to choose the one that is right for you. If these computers are for home use and/or you know your way around Linux, you should consider using Ubuntu or openSUSE (which you could donate money if you like them). Here is a wizard you could use to help you choose a distribution: http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/

Message Edited by dasunst3r on 02-07-2008 05:04 PM

dasunst3r · Answer

Since your environment is home use, I would definitely recommend using a free distribution. Most of them have applets which regularly check for updates and alert you to them when they become available. Ubuntu has one of the largest user bases and most friendly user communities. However, seeing that you are using Oracle, it looks like you're stuck. Additionally, if you wish to use another distribution, you will need to do a clean reinstall. Sorry :(

By my standards, I think you could be getting more bang out of your buck. Even on their latest offerings, I would consider their software to be obsolete (their OpenOffice is version 2.0.4, I'm running 2.3). Also, I think Novell's method of managing subscriptions is a lot better -- you get activation codes.

Message Edited by dasunst3r on 02-07-2008 08:53 PM

bmoshier · Answer

dasunst3r,

Thank you for the quick reply.

Environment: Home. I use the Red Hat machines (two of them) to learn on / test for work. My main application at this point is Oracle 10g RAC, though, I've had trouble installing it and have been too tired to work them out.

Oracle only support 10g RAC on RHEL 4 and their own version of RHEL. While I'm not using Oracle support, not getting too far a field is IMHO a good idea.

Support: What I really like are the automatic updates. As for professional .vs. community, I'm really big on forums, web searching, and communities.

Bert.

P.S. How easy is it to change from RHEL WS 4 to another distribution. I really wouldn't want to install all over again.

bmoshier · Answer

There are many different Red Hat products on CDW starting as low as ~$65.00. I'm hoping one of those will be good enough in order to continue to get automatic updates.

I suspect the renewal for RHEL WS 4 and/or the equivalent for RHEL 5 won't be very much but figuring out the right product number is what gets me. Dell could / should make it easier for us.

How? Tell us what RH product we need in order to get our RHN renewed.

Bert.

Sam Jessup · Answer

Ok, now I know that this post was 2008, But maybe there is someone who is going to read this, And it will help them out; If you understand programing and want an adventure, The O.S. Is called 'Fedora', This is the testing lab used by red hat to form RHEL. For everyone else, The question is; How many CPU units are in your computer? Most units are multiple core. The reason for this is simple, Underneath each unit (stack of cores) is a pin and socket connector. Red hat service is based upon the number of sockets, yep that's right. And there is a difference between server and work station.. So make sure you get the right one. Next remember that red hat's service is just for the O.S. And not the hardware. So if you have an old dinosaur (like maybe a single core system) There is a possibility that your computer won't be able to, or give up the ghost altogether. So be sure to ask about system requirements.

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Renewing Red Hat Network subscription

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