Open source solutions provider Red Hat has released Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 9.2 and announced the impending launch of RHEL 8.8. These new versions are intended to expedite and simplify complex tasks across hybrid cloud environments, including data centers, public clouds, and peripheral deployments.
In hybrid cloud deployments, Linux environments are expected to increase from 78% in 2021 to 82% in 2026, according to IDC’s report on server operating systems. As these environments become more complex, this would highlight the increasing need for comprehensive Linux infrastructure skills and capabilities.
Red Hat’s mission is to assist IT teams in overcoming personnel and talent shortages, while simultaneously improving efficacy in critical infrastructure areas. The most recent versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, 9.2 and 8.8, emphasize expanding system roles, which are Red Hat-specific Ansible-based content. These roles automate common administrative duties, enabling simple configuration and deployment of multiple functions with minimal Linux expertise.
System roles, for instance, automate configuration and deployment processes to facilitate the installation of Microsoft SQL Server and virtual private networks (VPNs). In addition, the new releases include the Red Hat Enterprise Linux system role for Podman, which allows administrators to orchestrate the deployment of container workloads across Red Hat Enterprise Linux hosts.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux prioritizes operational consistency, and the image builder utility facilitates this by facilitating the creation of standardized, environment-specific operating system images while maintaining system security and conformance. The most recent versions of RHEL include the ability to include organization-specific security policies in created images, ensuring compliance with OpenSCAP security profiles and enhancing peripheral device provisioning. Image builder also facilitates the creation and distribution of Red Hat Enterprise Linux blueprints, promoting image standardization and easing collaboration with external partners, end users, and open source communities.
Gunnar Hellekson, Vice President and General Manager, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Red Hat stated, “With Linux forming the foundation for increasingly complex operations across the hybrid cloud, it’s vital that IT organizations be able to extend operations without having to also add new skills or resources. The latest versions of the world’s leading enterprise Linux platform bring greater automation to help IT teams extend their reach across the hybrid cloud while at the same time making it easier to embrace innovation, whether containers or new hardware architectures.”
IT Security and Compliance Policies
The Red Hat Enterprise Linux web console would be indispensable for enforcing IT security and compliance policies in hybrid cloud environments. Administrators can perform configuration and management duties utilizing the browser’s user interface. Enhancing data security at rest, the web console now includes features such as automatic encrypted disk decryption on root filesystems using network-bound disk encryption (NBDE). In addition, it permits the selection of frequently used system-wide crypto policies to ensure compliance and resolve specific organizational requirements.
With containerized applications fueling software innovation, it is critical to manage containers at scale. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.2 and 8.8 include enhancements to the Podman container development, management, and execution utility. These enhancements include the capability to trace container creation events, allowing for improved monitoring and auditing of system activity. In addition, Podman now supports custom container health tests, enabling automated remediation of problematic containers in remote or peripheral environments with intermittent connectivity.
The most recent versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux include support for 64k page sizes for Arm architecture, thereby expanding architectural options. This expands the Arm-based hardware options available to Red Hat customers, allowing them to accommodate their distinctive workload requirements, particularly memory-intensive workloads.
Red Hat has enhanced its enterprise Linux lifecycle management offerings in response to customer demand. Enhanced Extended Update Support is now available for RHEL 9 and later, providing software updates for up to four years following the general availability of a minor update. In addition, beginning with RHEL 7.9, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extended Lifecycle Support (ELS) will be provided, ensuring continuity beyond the 10-year lifecycle end-of-maintenance period. This extended support period extends from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026, allowing clients to plan migrations to RHEL 8 or 9 within the scope of their current subscriptions.
