On the easiest-to-install LinUX distribution
Compiled notes by
FISH-ECOLOGY-REQUEST@SEGATE.SUNET.SE
Contents:
After looking at Red Hat Linux 4.0, I'm in awe of how quickly the Linux operating system is moving forward. Last summer (see "Linux may give reasons to remove Win95, NT from your desktop system," July 8, page 107) I predicted that Linux, an already popular implementation of Unix, would infiltrate mainstream corporate America. If Red Hat Software Inc. (and all the unsung Linux contributors) continue advancing Linux at the present rate, such widespread adoption is guaranteed.
Simply put, Red Hat is easily the best Linux version released to date. It's a must-try for users new to Linux and a must-have for veterans.
Up, up, and away. Red Hat's installation program makes it far easier to install than any other version of Linux I've tried, including prior versions of Red Hat. It shields you from enough complexity to keep it simple, yet it provides enough options to satisfy Linux geeks.
Red Hat comes with the Apache Web server, one of the most popular servers on the Internet. The server can be installed, configured, and set to run automatically with no more than a click on a single check box during system installation. Setup of FTP (File Transfer Protocol) services is equally easy.
It's just as simple to add Web and FTP services after installation. That's thanks to Red Hat's now famous -- among Linux users, at least -- installation and removal utility called Red Hat Package Manager.
The OS can be a network file system (NFS) server to Unix clients, and it can provide native file and print services to any 16-bit or 32-bit Windows client and AppleTalk services to Macintosh clients. Red Hat can also be used as a client to NFS and NetWare.
Red Hat licenses and includes Metro Link Inc.'s accelerated X engine, Metro-X, which supports a long list of display adapters. A number of video cards I had problems with in Windows 95 and Windows NT (including the Elsa Winner 2000 Pro and Matrox Millenium MGA) have enjoyed good support by Metro-X for some time.
The Metro-X driver absolutely blazes on my Matrox Millenium MGA card. In addition, Metro Link offers OpenGL for Linux separately if you want to build 3-D graphics applications.
A pretty face and more. This version of Red Hat introduces a new version of FVWM, now called The Next Level. FVWM is a window manager that is configured to look and feel something like Windows 95, with cascading start menus, a task bar, and a pager that lets you switch among a set of virtual desktops. Switching between desktops on my machine is instantaneous, faster than anything I've seen on Windows 95, Windows NT, or OS/2.
The Linux kernel used in this release of Red Hat supports symmetric multiprocessing, a feature that brings Linux into the scalability big league.
It also supports dynamic loading of support modules. That means you can set up the system to load certain features, such as the capability to read OS/2 High Performance File System (HPFS)-formatted drives, only when needed.
Linux can read and write to a long list of file systems, including DOS File Allocation Table (FAT), Virtual FAT (Windows 95/NT long file names), and HPFS. Free NT File System drivers are also available from a variety of FTP sites.
One of the most important enhancements to this version of Red Hat is support for pluggable authentication modules (PAM). PAM is a tremendously flexible means of letting you choose the levels of security you want to attach to any service your server provides -- from simple log-in to remote access of applications and FTP services. Essentially, PAM paves the way to soothe fears about Unix security.
A low price and easy installation make Red Hat the ideal alternative for those who are put off by Microsoft Corp.'s Windows NT Workstation license agreement (which prevents you from using Windows NT Workstation as an inexpensive Web server). Red Hat's processor scalability and multiplatform support -- Alpha and Sparc versions are available -- make the argument for Linux all the more compelling.
Nicholas Petreley (nicholas_petreley@infoworld.com) is editor at large at InfoWorld.
Mainstreaming Linux. Although file and print services aren't new to Linux, in the past they've been anything but simple to configure. InfoMagic Inc. fixes the problem with a product called InfoMagic Workgroup Server.
For $75 you get the graphical tools necessary to make configuration a no-brainer. In mere minutes, I installed the product and configured native file and print services for my Windows and Macintosh clients. You can get more information about Workgroup Server at http://www.infomagic.com.
Linux is also maturing as a mainstream client, as applications for the OS appear from several fronts. Red Hat Software Inc. offers the Applixware productivity suite (see Product Reviews, Aug. 5, page 84), and Caldera Inc. (http://www .caldera.com) sells a suite for Linux that includes WordPerfect for Unix.
Also, Star Division Corp. is planning to release a Linux version of its powerful Star Office 3.1 suite. A beta version, which will be free to noncommercial users, is available now. See http://www.stardivision.com for more information.
The one thing that makes FVWM, Linux's default window manager, daunting is that you have to edit text-configuration files to customize it to your liking. Workgroup Solutions Inc. (http://www.wgs.com) may help remedy this when it releases a Linux version of Common Desktop Environment, a Motif-based window manager available on several Unix platforms.
Look for a review in an upcoming issue of InfoWorld. THE BOTTOM LINE: EXCELLENT
A short descriptive note on the Operative System
Red Hat distribution v. 4.0
NEW FEATURES IN RED HAT LINUX 4.0. Modular 2.0.18 kernel. One kernel for all hardware, support for much more hardware. Kernel is distributed as an RPM package. This means that to upgrade the kernel you only need to upgrade the kernel RPM package, which is just a single command. Only one installation floppy! Two for PCMCIA and FTP installs. Both floppies are included in the Official Red Hat Linux/Intel boxed set product. Easier installation. Smarter network configuration, full "cancel" ability, simpler package selection, package descriptions available during install, much faster. New version of RPM. RPM 2.2.5 includes dependencies, improved PGP/MD5/size signature capability, dependencies, more powerful querying, dependencies, improved multi- arch/os handling, dependencies, relocatable packages, dependencies, support for building and installing packages as non-root.. Did I mention dependencies? Improved X Windows support. Easier X Windows configuration. Just pick your video card and monitor from the provided lists and you are done. Latest MetroLink X server 3.1.2 (Only available with the Official Red Hat Linux/Intel boxed set.) Expanded Red Hat Linux User's Guide. 236 pages of installation and configuration information. Expanded coverage of the control-panel tools. Includes MetroLink X server configuration information. The User's Guide is now available via FTP under the same terms as the LDP documentation! It is also browsable on our web site! Improved network configuration. New graphical network configuration control panel tool. Allows for simple configuration of PPP and SLIP network connections. Makes it simple to move your machine between networks, add ethernet cards, etc. Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM). PAM is used throughout for increased system security and configurability. Shadow password support (and groundwork for future support of "long" passwords, MD5 passwords, and other authentication schemes). Red Baron secure web browser. Supports forms, frames, SSL, SET. Faster than Netscape! (Only available on Official Red Hat Linux/Intel boxed set.) Upgrades and Fixes. Over 180 updated packages, and over 60 new packages. The full package list is available at http://www.redhat.com. Many, many, many security fixes -- most of which are not available on other UNIX/Linux systems.
Installation. Our third generation installation system is easier to use than ever. By presenting simple fill in the blank forms, and applying intelligent automation to network, package, and module configuration, the system relieves you of the most tedious and most troublesome aspects of installation. Installation is supported via CD-ROM, NFS, FTP, hard drive partition, and has seamless PCMCIA support.
Package Management. The RPM package system is designed to be powerful yet easy to use. These design features, along with smart config file handling across package upgrades, "shared" file handling, documentation searching support, package installation via FTP, dependencies, and powerful querying, make RPM the most advanced package system available.
With our graphical package manager Glint you can track every package installed on your system, and all packages available on the CD-ROM. You can examine package descriptions and file contents before you install them. With a few mouse button clicks you can install, uninstall, list and verify all installed packages. No other installation system comes close.
Configuration Tools. The Red Hat control panel tools cover configuration of your network, printer, filesystem, users and groups, SysV init, time and date, and modem. PPP and SLIP configuration has never been easier!
Compatibility between Linux Platforms. The Red Hat Linux 4.0 for Intel, Alpha and Sparc products are built from the exact same source packages. This ensures maximum ease of software portability between machines running Red Hat Linux regardless of the underlying hardware architecture. In addition, your investment in configuration of Red Hat Linux will pay off on all three platforms.
License Terms. Red Hat Linux is distributed under the terms of the GPL, and is freely available from our FTP site, and dozens of mirrors. For the first time, the Red Hat Linux User's Guide is also available freely, under the terms of the LDP license!
STANDARDS, TESTING, AND RED HAT LINUX. Red Hat Linux continues to track both Linux and UNIX industry standards closely. Red Hat Linux conforms to the Linux file system standard: FSSTND, and tracks many other Linux and UNIX standards.
Testing is probably Linux's greatest strength and the origin of its remarkable stability for most applications, and Red Hat Linux benefits from this. The truly open development model followed by Linus Torvalds and the Linux development community allows new releases of the kernel, components, and distributions to be tested by hundreds of thousands of users. Their access to everything at little or no cost, including full source code, off many sites on the Internet enables anyone to contribute to further development by not just reporting bugs but contributing patches.
Red Hat Linux depends on this open development model. We post Red Hat Linux as "freely redistributable" software for free download off of many sites on the Internet, and we are grateful for the valuable assistance we receive.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has decided to stop charging for their POSIX Conformance Test Suite 151-2, in hopes that the POSIX standard may be more broadly applied. Red Hat Software applauds the move, and has obtained the suites for consideration. We would encourage all Linux developers to take advantage of this development. Comments and questions can be directed to Martha Gray <gray@sst.ncsl.nist.gov> at NIST.
A STABLE SOFTWARE PLATFORM AND A RAPIDLY EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY. Red Hat's software packaging scheme (RPM) provides the reliable and consistent installation on a stable environment that ISV's are looking for, and yet allows for a flexible environment for further Linux development.
RPM's advanced software packaging features enable RPM packaged software to be installed easily and correctly on any Red Hat Linux platform. Running older software versions on a new release of Red Hat Linux is generally reliable and trouble free.
FREELY REDISTRIBUTABLE SOFTWARE. Red Hat Linux is released as freely redistributable software under the terms of the GPL. This allows anyone to use Linux without restriction and to contribute to Linux development. It also prevents anyone or any corporation from restricting access to Linux or Linux source code. Commercially licensed software can be ported to Linux while maintaining the license terms that the author uses for any other platform.
RPM - RED HAT PACKAGE MANAGER. After installing Red Hat Linux once, you will never need to reinstall Linux again! Our RPM packaging system is sophisticated enough to allow upgrading to new Red Hat Linux releases without reinstalling your system - no partitioning, no backing up all your files, no headaches.
Red Hat Linux 4.0 is built on a third generation packaging system called RPM. The RPM system features include smart configuration file handling across package upgrades, "shared" file handling, documentation searching support, and package installation via FTP. You can install, uninstall, query, verify, and upgrade individual RPM packages.
The Red Hat Software web site, http://www.redhat.com, contains more information on RPM and the RPM-HOWTO, which describes how to use RPM and build your own RPM packages.
A graphical package management tool called GLINT allows you to quickly and easily manage and track your system. It displays a hierarchy of packages represented by individual package icons, and displays progress meters during installation.
We are releasing RPM under the terms of the GPL and we would like to encourage everyone to use it to package their software. You can get RPM separately from Red Hat Linux from our FTP site.
PRISTINE SOURCES. An important element of the design of Red Hat Linux is our commitment to the concept of "pristine sources". Our RPM source packages include pristine, untouched sources, as well as patches and a control file which defines the building and packaging process. It enables us to work with other members of the Linux development community easily and effectively by clearly separating and documenting the code that they contribute from any modifications that are required by Red Hat Linux.
Red Hat Linux is available for the Intel, Alpha, and Sparc on our FTP site:
ftp://ftp.redhat.com/pub/redhat/redhat-4.0
Many sites mirror the Red Hat FTP site, and may give you much better performance. A list of these mirrors is at:
ftp://ftp.redhat.com/pub/MIRRORS
(Note that the Metro X server, Red Baron and Grail are not available via FTP. These packages are only available with the full boxed set product.)
RED HAT SOFTWARE WEB SITE. The Red Hat Software web site, http://www.redhat.com, contains a wealth of helpful information, as well as a web-based ordering system for all our products.
Of particular interest is the support section of the web site, which includes archives of our mailing lists, errata, Red Hat TIPS, the LDP documentation, and lots more. See http://www.redhat.com/support.
UPGRADING AND EXCHANGE POLICIES. All previous releases of Red Hat Linux (2.0, 2.1, 3.0.3) can be upgraded in place (without reformatting or repartitioning). For those who want to upgrade, but do not want to purchase the full boxed set, the Red Hat Linux Archives 4 CD-ROM set is the right choice. Red Hat Linux for the Intel and Alpha are both available on the Archives (Metro X, Red Baron, and Grail are only available with the full boxed set).
Exchange and upgrade policies for those who purchased 3.0.3 recently are best addressed by the vendor of your product. If you purchased it directly from Red Hat Software, contact the sales office at:
Please use a mirror if possible. FTP Sites for RedHat LinUx:
sunsite.doc.ic.ac.uk /packages/linux/redhat nfs-uxsup.csx.cam.ac.uk /pub/redhat/ ftp.ox.ac.uk /pub/linux/redhat
ftp.pk.edu.pl /pub/linux/redhat ftp.arch.pwr.wroc.pl /mirror/linux/redhat/ ftp.ras.ru /pub/Linux/redhat ftp.u-bordeaux.fr /pub/Linux/redhat ftp.ibp.fr /pub/linux/distributions/redhat redhat.netvision.net.il /pub/mirrors/redhat ftp.sorosis.ro /pub/mirrors/ftp.redhat.com ftp.mpi-sb.mpg.de /pub/linux/mirror/ftp.redhat.com ftp.jate.u-szeged.hu /pub/linux/redhat ftp.ibp.fr /pub/linux/distributions/redhat ftp.gwdg.de /pub/linux/install/redhat ftp.msu.ru /pub/Linux/RedHat ftp.sgg.ru /mirror/redhat sunsite.mff.cuni.cz /OS/Linux/Distributions/Redhat ftp.ton.tut.fi /pub/Linux/RedHat garbo.uwasa.fi /pub/mirror/RedHat ftp.funet.fi /pub/Linux/images/RedHat sunsite.icm.edu.pl /pub/Linux/redhat ftp.arch.pwr.proc.pl /mirror/linux/redhat ftp.rhi.hi.is /pub/linux/RedHat ftp.nvg.unit.no /pub/linux/redhat ftp.pk.edu.pl /pub/linux/redhat ftp.nluug.nl /pub/os/Linux/distr/RedHat dutepp0.et.tudelft.nl /pub/Unix/Linux/Distributions/redhat ftp.iol.ie /pub/Unix/Linux/distributions/RedHat sunsite.auc.dk /pub/os/linux/redhat ftp.cs.us.es /pub/Linux/redhat ftp.sorosis.ro /pub/mirrors/ftp.redhat.com
ftp.dstc.edu.au /pub/linux-redhat dopey.gist.net.au /pub/redhat ftp.dacom.co.kr /pub/Linux/redhat ftp.lab.kdd.co.jp /OS/Linux/packages/redhat sunsite.ust.hk /pub/Linux/distributions/redhat ftp.tku.edu.tw /Unix/Linux/RedHat ftp.wownet.net /LINUX/redhat
ftp.varesearch.com /pub/mirrors/redhat ftp.xtn.net /pub/linux/redhat ftp-nog.rutgers.edu /pub/linux/distributions/redhat ftp.interpath.net /pub/linux/redhat schlitz.cae.wisc.edu /pub/Linux/RedHat ftp.engr.uark.edu /pub/linux/redhat ftp.infomagic.com /pub/mirrors/linux/RedHat ftp.wgs.com /pub/linux/redhat ftp.drcdrom.com /pub/linux-redhat ftp.hkstar.com /pub/Linux/redhat ftp.pht.com /pub/linux/redhat linux.ucs.indiana.edu /pub/linux/redhat ftp.uoknor.edu /linux/redhat ftp.cc.gatech.edu /pub/linux/distributions/redhat uiarchive.cso.uiuc.edu /pub/systems/linux/distributions/redhat ftp.caldera.com /pub/mirrors/redhat ftp.cms.uncwil.edu /linux/redhat ftp.wilmington.net /linux/redhat sunsite.unc.edu /pub/Linux/distributions/redhat gatekeeper.dec.com /pub/linux/redhat ftp.rge.com /pub/systems/linux/redhat linuxwww.db.erau.edu /pub/linux/distrib/redhat ftp.eit.com /pub/mirrors/redhat ftp.real-time.com /pub/redhat ftp.priority.net /pub/redhat ftp.miranda.org /pub/mirrors/redhat ftp.siriuscc.com /pub/Linux/Redhat
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