Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) for AWS

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is used primarily from a server perspective, running numerous applications on top of the Enterprise Linux server. This includes in-house applications, client-based applications, and integrations with Active Directory, LDAP, and databases that sit outside but are integrated with the Enterprise Linux servers. Over 8000 Linux machines are running across VMware, physical servers, and AWS instances.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) operates in a complete hybrid environment with machines running on physical servers, VMware, and Azure instances. Red Hat OpenShift serves as the private cloud product and runs on production and QA environments with a 32-node cluster and a 16-node cluster containing 16 worker nodes running Red Hat CoreOS, which is a customized operating system provided by Red Hat.

My experience is primarily on the Red Hat side, though I also work with multiple integrations including Active Directory, LDAP, Grafana, Dynatrace, and Prometheus. I use DataDog and Dynatrace for log monitoring. I currently work with several cloud platforms including GCP, AWS, Azure, and IBM, running Enterprise Linux and OpenShift on IBM cloud, Azure, and AWS where they offer managed services such as Red Hat OpenShift on AWS (ROSA) and Azure Red Hat OpenShift (ARO).

Compared to other technologies and products, I have not identified any cons for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), but I see many advantages. By using Red Hat OpenShift, resource consumption has been reduced significantly compared to what was consumed on Red Hat Enterprise Linux servers. Previously, a few applications ran on one RHEL server, but after moving to OpenShift, those applications were containerized and now run as containers on the OpenShift environment, reducing resource consumption by more than 80%.

Regarding time-saving aspects, using the Ansible configuration management automation tool saves considerable time. It allows me to automate multiple repetitive tasks instead of deploying everything manually, which can be quite repetitive.

To mitigate downtime and lower risks, changes are made during off-business hours to minimize business impact, often working during weekends or outside business hours. New upgrades are tested first in development and QA environments before being applied to production after receiving feedback.

Over more than a decade, I have found many improvements in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), especially in the last 10 years. Red Hat enterprise services continually introduce new features such as Broadcom host cover for VMware. Red Hat recently introduced OpenShift migration, allowing existing servers to be migrated from VMware or elsewhere directly to the Red Hat platform or OpenShift through virtualization, which is a unique technology that Red Hat has provided to the industry.

From a security standpoint, the most important security features in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) are the built-in security features already in place. Red Hat has recently introduced the Lightweight feature, which is in high demand in the market because it allows for customizable security options.

I have tried both Leapp and Red Hat Insights depending on client demand. Sometimes I prefer one, but if the client is not ready for that option, I must proceed with what they prefer.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) Image Builder is my primary tool for this work. Most clients want to customize their images rather than use standard ones provided with the ISO. When clients prefer certain elements to remain while requesting the removal of others, the Image Builder is used to meet their specifications.

One improvement I would like to see in technical support and customer service is that sometimes the technical team asks random questions. When a priority ticket has been raised and immediate responses are needed, they keep asking for repeated information, which feels like a strategy to buy time and can be quite frustrating.

Aside from support improvements, I currently do not have anything else in mind that I would like to see enhanced in Red Hat. One crucial missing feature regarding security is something I would like to see enhanced. Red Hat has great potential in this area, and they recently presented the Lightwell tool, which I am currently exploring and look forward to sharing my experience with.

I have been working with Red Hat Enterprise Linux for 18 years.

In terms of stability and reliability, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is stable.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is scalable. Specifically, in the OpenShift area where I have worked for the last ten years, the environment can be scaled up and down at any time.

I would rate the knowledge base offered by Red Hat at 9 out of 10. The Red Hat knowledge base contains all the information needed for newcomers looking to explore their career in Red Hat. All documentation is available, and if you are good at reading or connecting the dots, you can utilize it without help from third parties.

My use of Red Hat in a hybrid environment is supported by the premium model, which provides all kinds of support. Most of my clients run Enterprise Linux servers in production environments, so the premium support option is typically used.

Red Hat helps solve many specific pain points, especially when stuck on a production issue and unable to find the root cause. In those moments, reaching out to Red Hat with a priority one support case results in immediate response and assistance.

I would rate the technical support team a 7 out of 10.

The initial setup process with Red Hat is not overly complex unless customized applications are involved, which Red Hat does not support directly. This is the only challenge encountered, as their support is limited to their own products rather than customized ones.

In terms of cost-effectiveness, this completely depends on what is being used and what the business needs are. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) does bring a return on investment, but it varies based on those factors.

It depends on the client and the relationship they have with Red Hat. Sometimes, Red Hat offers significant discounts to clients running extensive environments with hundreds of Enterprise Linux servers and services such as Ansible and OpenShift.

Most of the time, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is procured directly from Red Hat rather than from other marketplaces.

When comparing the business value of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) against other Linux distributions I have used, RHEL is prioritized for running business applications. Although some customers choose to use SUSE or Fedora, for production applications, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is the preferred choice.

I currently represent a Center of Excellence (COE) for Red Hat OpenShift, maintaining a business relationship with Red Hat.

For others looking to implement Red Hat technologies, my recommendation is significant. Since the Broadcom takeover, companies seem to be moving away from VMware virtualization to Red Hat OpenShift or Red Hat Virtualization, with many preferring OpenShift for migrating existing workloads to containerized formats.

I use Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) for administration, automation scripts, storage, and Docker containers. My workloads include general workloads and virtualization across various environments.

I implement hardening practices and ensure compliance with PCI DSS and NIST standards. My deployment is on-premises in a private cloud environment.

Our environment is air-gapped and isolated from the internet. My journey with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) includes administration, storage, services, and systemd service management.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is an excellent product. It is very easy to use, useful, and delivers strong performance and security with freedom and customization options.

The security environment maintenance is important to me. The product is quite easy to work with.

The upgrade and migration processes are wonderful and easy. Migration is a smooth process that depends on the migration workloads and the specific application systems involved.

I use Image Builder primarily for upgrading Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) versions when I am using leap. I use this tool every day. The product is very complex yet very friendly and easy to understand.

I would like to see improvements in automation scripts, vulnerabilities detection and resolution, and intrusion detection capabilities.

I have used Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) for six years.

I experience very reduced and low stability issues. I encounter less than one hour of downtime in a year.

Scalability is easy to manage.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) customer service has been responsive.

The initial setup involves easy steps and is very friendly. The deployment is fast for running.

I have achieved a 40% return on investment through money and time savings. The time savings is more important than the monetary savings.

My managers consider the setup cost to be very expensive.

Other Red Hat-based alternatives include Oracle, Rocky Linux, and AlmaLinux. Red Hat and Oracle are better and recommended for enterprise use due to their resources and features, which are more interesting for enterprise deployments.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is friendly compared to alternatives. Key differentiating features include Ksplice and Ktrace.

I would rate Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 10 out of 10 points. The product excels in performance, security, ease of change management, reliability, availability, and serviceability, which are very important for administration. The tools available, support guides, forums, and community support are valuable resources.

I am using Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) on a document management system, services server lines, and to build these applications.

Regarding lifecycle practices in the cloud, I am using two applications on-premises and a few are on Docker containers.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) saves me around 60% on time. With regard to downtime, I can lower downtime by about two to three minutes.

Regarding pain points, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) does not help me solve any specific issues.

The biggest advantage of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is that it is easily available and easily manageable. The support cases are more readily used and the online local support is available.

With regard to the management part, when it comes to provisioning and patching, I can do patching and management on my own. I see that there is no difference between on-premises and cloud solutions; both are similar and it depends on conditions and the way the structure is organized. This is why I have no issues with on-premises or hybrid cloud deployments.

I find that integration with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is easy, as I am using it with Oracle.

Regarding disadvantages in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), the certification cost is a concern for me. The problem with the certification is that its price is high, and it needs to be minimal for countries like Pakistan.

About the knowledge base that Red Hat offers, I feel it needs to improve session offerings more. This is especially important for junior beginners.

I have around three to four years of experience using Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).

Regarding scalability, I am satisfied. The services are easily available and scalable as per the need.

My experience with Red Hat support is that it is very helpful. If I had to rate support from zero to ten points, I would give it a nine because everything is solved.

Regarding deployment strategy, I find it quite simple. Regarding the upgrades and migration process from on-premises to the cloud, I have to first create a setup on a test machine, then upgrade, and after that, go live.

Regarding return on investment, I see value for money with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) saves me almost 60%. The saving I speak of is on both time and money.

When choosing Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), our security requirement was that I am using it on IBM Power servers, which offered a bundle price. That is why I opted for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Regarding the price, I think the license is a little bit expensive nowadays, but I have opted for six years in a bundle offer. That is why I am using it at a cheaper price.

In comparing Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) to other Linux distributions, I find Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) to be more stable than compared to others in terms of performance, storage, and security. Although other distributors are more secure, as part of my choice, I choose Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).

When I have it on the cloud, I work with a local provider rather than a native Red Hat Cloud or cloud providers like AWS, Azure, or GCP. I have not tried Image Builder of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) at this time. I would give Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) a rating of nine points.

I mostly use Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) for security purposes, conducting security testing, cyber security testing, and general administration purposes, including maintaining accounts.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) offers extensive customization options that I can tailor to my specific needs. I love the customizability and adaptability.

The knowledge base offered by Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is quite comprehensive and vast. I search through it and use AI to resolve any queries I have.

The most important security feature in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is the excellent administration policy regarding which user can access which file and what type of permissions I can assign. I appreciate this as a local IAM system.

The IAM feature is most valuable for us because we have around 200 to 300 users, and it can be difficult to track which people have what type of privileges. This feature provides a very neat and detailed view of the privileges that people are assigned.

I would like to see improvements in the CLI, making it somewhat easier instead of the complicated commands that are currently used. Keeping it simple and easy to remember would be beneficial.

I have been working with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) for three years.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is very stable.

Regarding scalability, I find Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) to be quite scalable and does not require much time for scaling.

The only concern is the costing when it comes to cloud instances.

I have never escalated any questions to the technical support or customer service teams regarding Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).

I have not used any different product for operating systems before.

The initial setup process for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) was straightforward.

I completed the setup and deployment myself.

The business value of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is quite high. It provides excellent availability and never crashes. The machine performs reliably when I need it, resulting in very few downtimes.

Regarding the pricing aspect of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), I mostly use free resources and have not procured any license. I prefer to use open-source options and maintain my own set of rules.

With the open-source nature of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), the measurable benefits I have seen are primarily cost benefits. It is highly customizable and saves considerable time because I do not need to explain what I want to anyone; I simply conduct research and implement those features into my instances.

I chose Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) because I am familiar with it and receive good updates and security updates.

I have not worked with LEAP or Red Hat Insights yet.

I have mostly worked with Red Hat Enterprise Linux Image Builder and System Roles. System Roles have been helpful for me as I started using them recently. I previously limited some resources in my systems by using only a specific percentage of available hardware resources and reducing bloatware, which involves resource controlling.

I have never tried Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) in a hybrid environment. I mostly connect to some instances in the cloud through SSH but have never used hybrid solutions.

Until now, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) has not helped me solve specific pain points, except for using the command line terminal and assigning many different permissions to accomplish one task.

The controlled updates and patches save a lot for me regarding Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).

From a features perspective, there are no missing features that I would see included in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) in the future.

I obtained Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) directly from Red Hat. My overall review rating for this product is 9.