1.8. Before You Begin

By default, all the software packages you need to use Red Hat Network are installed with Red Hat distributions. However, if you chose not to install them during the installation process, you will need to obtain the Red Hat Update Agent (up2date) and possibly the Red Hat Network Registration Client (rhn_register). In Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3, registration functionality is built into the Red Hat Update Agent, while Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 users will need the Red Hat Network Registration Client.

Warning

The SSL certificate packaged with older versions of the Red Hat Update Agent and the Red Hat Network Registration Client reached its end of life August 28, 2003. Users attempting to connect using this certificate will receive SSL connection or certificate verification errors. You may view and obtain the versions of these applications containing new certificates at the RHN Client Software page. In the RHN website, click Help at the top-right corner, Get RHN Software in the left navigation bar, and scroll down to examine the packages and versions.

To determine the versions of the client applications installed, run the rpm -q command followed by the package name. For instance, for the Red Hat Network Registration Client, type the following command:

rpm -q rhn_register 

If the Red Hat Network Registration Client is installed, it will return something similar to:

rhn_register-2.9.3-1

The version number might differ slightly.

If you do not have the Red Hat Network Registration Client installed, the command will return:

package rhn_register is not installed

Perform this check for every package in Table 1-1 relevant to your system. Remember, only Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 users need the separate Red Hat Network Registration Client. If you prefer to use the command line versions, you do not have to install the two packages ending in gnome.