Red Hat Linux 7.1 with 2.4 Kernel

Kernel Update Adds Functionality and Unique Red Hat Network Software Manager Increases Reliability While Reducing the Cost and Effort Required to Deploy and Manage Internet Infrastructure

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.—April 16, 2001—Red Hat, Inc. (Nasdaq: RHAT), the leader in developing, deploying and managing open source solutions, announced today the availability of Red Hat Linux 7.1, the latest version of the world´s most popular open source server operating environment. Red Hat Linux 7.1 includes the new 2.4 kernel with improved SMP support for superior performance on Intel multi-processor platforms. Red Hat Linux 7.1 also delivers new configuration tools that enable users to effortlessly set up and administer DNS, Web and print servers. This release features Red Hat Network connectivity, including software manager.

``Red Hat Linux is firmly embedded in today´s computing infrastructure. The release of Red Hat Linux 7.1 and the first in a series of Red Hat Network subscription services makes it easy for organizations to quickly realize the benefits of open source computing," said Matthew Szulik, CEO of Red Hat, Inc. ``The elements of Red Hat Linux 7.1 work together to deliver the most powerful, automated open source operating system for fast-growing enterprise and Internet infrastructure users.´´

According to IDC Research, Linux is the second fastest growing server operating system (from 1999-2000).

New Features and Benefits of Red Hat Linux 7.1

2.4 Kernel positions Red Hat Linux as an enterprise class operating system. Provides significantly improved multiprocessor support and support for 4GB userland process, eliminates PCI bus limit, makes virtual memory effectively limitless, supports 64 GB of physical RAM, supports greater number of users and groups, includes revised scheduler to handle more processes, carries increased and improved device support, as well as an improved multi-threaded network stack.

Red Hat Network Software Manager delivers errata alerts so users are automatically notified of new errata and RPM updates that provide notification of new RPM packages.

Heightened Security delivers secure default settings that keeps ports closed and Internet utilities inactive until needed. A new firewall screen enables user to turn on or off as many features as desired for totally customized security.

Configuration tools make system administration easier than ever with BIND (DNS), Apache and Print tool.

Installer enhancements improve the user experience by providing a graphical Kickstart configuration tool for unattended installation and a new install class for laptop users.

Increased internationalization supports global user communities with a fully translated GNOME interface in Japanese, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Desktop Functionality includes updated GNOME & KDE, popular graphical environments where users can choose their preferred desktop, and Mozilla, a Web browser, email client and news reader that provides a complete open source web and messaging client.

XFree86 4.0.3 interface supports 2D and 3D graphics.

USB support for "hot pluggable" devices

New 200-page Customization Guide

TUX - world´s fastest web server1

1 Holds SPECweb99TM benchmark records for 1, 2, 4, and 8 processor machines.
For a complete list of new features, visit http://www.redhat.com/products/software/linux/rhl_new_features.html.

Widespread Industry Adoption
Red Hat has partnered with industry leaders to provide its customers with the best solutions for Internet computing. Dell and IBM, leaders in the hardware space, continue to embrace Red Hat Linux.

"Dell continues to see growing demand for powerful servers, workstations and notebook computers running Red Hat Linux backed with Red Hat´s industry-leading support," said Rick Hoffman, director and general manager of Linux Development, Dell Enterprise Systems Group. "Red Hat Linux 7.1 offers our enterprise customers with the scalability, performance and power they have been waiting for in their Linux-based infrastructures. Our direct model and global factory install process will allow us to be one of the first major systems manufacturers to ship Red Hat Linux 7.1 directly to customers -- with no middleman required."

"With the scalability enhancements in the new 2.4 kernel, Red Hat is delivering the most robust version of Linux to date," said Dick Sullivan, vice president, Solutions and Integration Marketing, IBM Software. "When coupled with the proven enterprise capability of IBM´s server and software products, including DB2 Universal Database, WebSphere Application Server, Lotus Domino, and the xSeries eServer running Red Hat Linux 7.1 today, customers and solution providers should see an increase in overall performance to complement Linux´s cost and reliability advantages."

http://www.redhat.com