Stable, Secure, But Complex for Beginners
What do you like best about the product?
I use Red Hat Enterprise Linux mainly for running servers and managing enterprise-level applications. It's great for hosting databases, web services, and virtual machines, and it gives me a stable and secure environment that's reliable for long-term projects. The support and documentation are really helpful when troubleshooting or setting up complex systems. What I like most about Red Hat Enterprise Linux is how stable and reliable it is. I don’t have to worry about unexpected crashes, and it handles heavy workloads really well. I appreciate the support and documentation—whenever I run into a problem, there’s usually a clear solution available. It just makes managing servers and enterprise systems a lot less stressful. My experience integrating Red Hat Enterprise Linux with other tools has generally been positive, and I've found certain integrations really helpful—like using monitoring tools to keep track of server performance and automated backup solutions to protect data.
What do you dislike about the product?
One thing that could be improved with Red Hat Enterprise Linux is that it can feel a bit complex for beginners, especially when setting up or configuring advanced features. There are a lot of commands and configurations to learn, and the documentation, while thorough, can sometimes be too technical for someone. For beginners, setting up the system and managing software packages can be confusing at first, so simpler installation guides or wizards would help. Basic system administration tasks, like configuring users, networks, or security settings, could be made more intuitive.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux solves stability and security issues for me. It keeps servers running reliably, handles heavy workloads without crashing, and simplifies managing updates and patches.
A Stable, Secure Foundation for Enterprise-Grade Software Infrastructure
What do you like best about the product?
What we like most about Red Hat Enterprise Linux is its stability and enterprise-grade support. The predictable release cycle, strong security updates, and wide ecosystem compatibility make it well suited for long-running, mission-critical production workloads. The initial setup is straightforward, with clear documentation and reliable installation and package management tools, allowing teams familiar with Linux to deploy systems quickly and confidently.
What do you dislike about the product?
Some limitations of Red Hat Enterprise Linux include licensing costs and the overhead of subscription management. It can be less flexible than community-driven distributions for rapid experimentation, and access to the latest software versions may lag behind upstream releases.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux addresses the need for a stable, secure, and fully supported operating system in production environments. It reduces downtime and security risks through reliable updates, certified software, and enterprise-grade support, making it well suited for critical enterprise and cloud workloads.
Reliable, Secure, and Enterprise-Ready
What do you like best about the product?
I appreciate that Red Hat Enterprise Linux is the market leader for Linux operating systems. It's reliable, flexible, and cost-effective. I find it strong in security and suitable for enterprise-grade applications, making it a great replacement for some legacy Unix systems. The initial setup is rather easy, and one of the benefits is that it's based on open source, which makes it more customizable and user-friendly.
What do you dislike about the product?
Since Red Hat Enterprise Linux is now owned by IBM after its acquisition, there are concerns about its cost effectiveness, the freedom of open source development, and the quality of customer support.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
We use Red Hat Enterprise Linux for enterprise applications, solving issues from support functions to cybersecurity management. It's reliable, flexible, cost-effective, and strong in security, suitable for enterprise applications and replacing legacy Unix systems. It's customizable and user-friendly due to its open-source base.
Mature, Stable, and Security-First: RHEL Keeps Surprises Out of Prod
What do you like best about the product?
See, I'm more into ethical hacking and security stuff so for that the only distro I primarily used is redhat. RHEL doesn’t chase shiny features. It ships mature, well-understood components. That means fewer surprise attack surfaces and fewer “oops, upstream broke prod” moments. Most distros ship SELinux and tell you to disable it. RHEL treats it as a first-class citizen.
What do you dislike about the product?
As a security guy, I dislike RHEL because it’s overly conservative. Backported patches complicate vuln validation, packages are outdated, SELinux is painful to manage, and the locked subscription model slows labs and automation. Great for defense, frustrating for real security testing.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
RHEL solves the problem of running secure, stable systems at scale without surprises. It gives me predictable patching, long-term support, strong defaults like SELinux, and built-in compliance alignment, so I spend less time firefighting and more time actually improving security. The benefit to me is simple: fewer production incidents, cleaner audits, and an OS I can trust to stay hardened and stable over time.
Reliable and Secure for Mission-Critical Systems
What do you like best about the product?
I use Red Hat Enterprise Linux as a reliable and secure operating system for running servers and handling production workloads. I appreciate its reliability and consistency, as I can depend on it to run for long periods without issues, essential for production environments. The long-term support and predictable update cycle give me confidence that updates won’t break my systems unexpectedly. I also value its strong security features, detailed documentation, and seamless integration with enterprise tools like Ansible and OpenShift. These features simplify system management and automation, making Red Hat Enterprise Linux a polished, enterprise-grade Linux platform I trust.
What do you dislike about the product?
While I find Red Hat Enterprise Linux very dependable, there are a few areas that could be improved. The subscription and licensing model can feel complex and costly, especially compared to community-based distributions, and it sometimes adds overhead for smaller teams or non-production use. Newer software versions can also take longer to become available because of RHEL’s focus on stability, which can be limiting when I need the latest features.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
I use Red Hat Enterprise Linux for stability, security, and manageability in production workloads. It ensures long-term support, compliance through timely patches, and reduces downtime with enterprise support and a robust ecosystem.
Boosts Security and Scalability with Ease
What do you like best about the product?
I really appreciate how Red Hat Enterprise Linux has evolved very rapidly and provides a highly secure platform. It's great for building private cloud environments, and I find it trustworthy. The availability of open-source applications and codes is a big plus, offering cost-saving benefits for supporting larger private cloud solutions. It's also supportive of containerizations and Kubernetes, which enhances scalability. I like how the product provides a more secure way and the enterprise-level support from Red Hat is helpful. The licensing cost is mostly free, which is a huge benefit for us. It's a highly stable and evolved operating system that supports the enterprise environment effectively, with low costs for growing cloud environments. The initial setup isn't too hard, and the availability of resources like blogs and YouTube videos helps in resolving issues and enhancing knowledge.
What do you dislike about the product?
NA
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux provides a secure environment with low or no licensing costs, and offers enterprise-level support for our cloud platforms, making it cost-effective and highly stable for scaling.
Strong security and automation have supported reliable hybrid deployments and growth
What is our primary use case?
I work with both the cloud version and the on-premises version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). I have worked with Red Hat Cloud and Red Hat Enterprise on-premises.
For the cloud-based products, the main use cases for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) include deploying websites and complex software for customers, such as SaaS software on the cloud, specifically Red Hat Cloud.
What is most valuable?
When choosing Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) in the cloud, security requirements were not a consideration for me because Red Hat provides us with the SLA regarding security compliance. I am more than satisfied to use Red Hat Cloud for security purposes, while I manage some other forms of security, such as my own keys and access in Red Hat Linux systems.
I really appreciate the zero trust networking that Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) has, and it also provides the WAF, along with certified images from Red Hat. For my current work on containers, Red Hat provides certified images that minimize vulnerabilities of CVEs, improving security significantly.
Although I do not have much knowledge about virtualization technology, I can say that for the hybrid cloud on OpenShift with the operators provided by Red Hat, the ready-to-use operators take care of underlying security, patching, and updates, so I do not have to handle monitoring or security myself.
Security is highlighted as an advantage across various aspects, such as the zero trust networking feature and the availability of certified images, which are instrumental in minimizing vulnerabilities and enhancing security.
What needs improvement?
While there are good aspects, I would appreciate improvements in the command-line interface (CLI). Red Hat could do more on the CLI side instead of focusing so much on UI development.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) for around five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Regarding stability, I have not experienced performance issues, crashes, or downtimes with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL); any problems usually arise from my applications, not from the Linux system.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is definitely scalable.
Whether I have expanded the usage of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) depends on the business requirements, as RHEL comes with a cost that my company can afford because IBM owns Red Hat, so everything scales on RHEL.
How are customer service and support?
Regarding my experience with Red Hat's technical support team, I find that they come very quickly with answers. However, sometimes the first person who responds might be a technical support agent without in-depth knowledge, so for more complex issues, a specialized engineer comes to the rescue, depending on the criticality of the subject, especially if it is production or a staging environment. They answer according to the SLA and support terms.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Determining whether Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is cost-effective depends entirely on the business. If your business faces compromises leading to significant losses, then investing in Red Hat Enterprise is truly necessary. However, if your business is small or medium-sized, you can manage with the free versions.
How was the initial setup?
Regarding the deployment aspect, my experience has been straightforward because it is all automated with Ansible; all I need to do is provide an IP address, and it takes care of all the variables and boots up automatically.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Regarding the pricing, setup costs, and licensing costs of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), I have heard that the licensing cost is significant compared to free alternatives such as CentOS or AlmaLinux, which are managed by Red Hat. I previously used CentOS, which is free, but I had to manage everything, including security, patching, reboots, and storage.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
The key differences between Red Hat and other Linux technologies I have used include the advantages of excellent technical support, good documentation, and a large community for problem-solving. A disadvantage is that it is not open source, meaning limited flexibility, and the high cost associated with Red Hat compared to others.
What other advice do I have?
I would advise other organizations considering Red Hat to start using it as their applications grow larger, rather than waiting for their business to become huge, as delays can lead to complications.
Currently, I am working on bare-metal services where I install Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Using AWS for Red Hat is indeed a good option, as you can get the image directly from AWS with a subscription cost per hour for Red Hat licensing.
Red Hat helps keep applications operational because it provides built-in monitoring tools that offer a good overview of all running services, including built-in agents that come with the Red Hat subscription to identify potential breakouts. Regarding reducing risks, Red Hat also provides secure images that indicate the latest security patches available worldwide.
The knowledge base offered by Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is excellent; the documentation is fantastic and is supported by a large community that answers questions effectively.
When comparing the business value of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) to other Linux distributions, I find that RHEL is more stringent with its security, requiring users to be careful not to trespass, whereas other Linux systems do not enforce such strict security measures, and users must manage security themselves.
On a scale of one to ten, I would rate Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) overall as a product and solution at eight, possibly eight and a half.
Best OS for Performance, Security, and Stability
What do you like best about the product?
This is the best OS we have used. We have been ensured its performance, security and stablity. The os is fast enough while performing complex task. Strong Product documentation and Community.
What do you dislike about the product?
It is abit strict while working in its code. The cost and its subscription management seems to be complex. It takes some time to learn to operate, but once it done its very easy to manage.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
its opensource, portable and stable, secure OS to use. Easy to setup and easy to integration with other product.
Flexible commands have simplified cloud automation and daily containerized workflows
What is our primary use case?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is user-friendly and easy to use. The affordability and free open source nature are main points. Multiple tools can be installed easily, and the interface is very user-friendly.
I am using Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) on Docker. I work on Docker with both Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and Docker. Installation of so many tools is easy and simple for my Red Hat machine.
What is most valuable?
The features of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) that I find to be the most valuable and useful are that it is user-friendly. The command is very user-friendly and easy to use, and easy to remember. That is a main point. I install it everywhere on my cloud server because I am using a virtual machine also on my PC.
A specific feature of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is that I can install multiple tools without any interruption. I can configure everything easily, such as network ports. I can configure networking using vim commands and multiple commands. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) provides more alternate commands for my convenience.
What needs improvement?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is very good. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) provides the updated latest version yearly. However, they could provide more flexibility in areas such as adding more networking features. For security reasons, since security is a main key point for privacy in upcoming years, they could provide more DPDK for fast signaling and add more new protocols.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have more than four years of experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) needs some improvement for stability. I am currently working on the latest version only. The latest version is not familiar to me, and I need to upskill on my side also. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) should provide more free courses for the upcoming or latest version that explain what changed between the latest and previous versions. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is not providing courses on sites or readable materials that explain what commands should be used.
How are customer service and support?
I have communicated with the technical support of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Previously, I did receive technical support in my previous company, and they provided an update for my servers. I rate the technical support services of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) as good, giving it a 9 out of 10.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I used SUSE Linux and CentOS before Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is much better than CentOS and SUSE. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) provides its own cloud, OpenStack.
What other advice do I have?
The knowledge base offered by Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) provides free courses for everyday work. I am currently using shell scripting, which is very useful for automation and easy to deploy on Docker and CI/CD pipelines for Jenkins. Shell scripting is the main knowledgeable area right now.
The most important security feature in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is that it provides multiple ports in the Linux machine that are connected via the kernel. The kernel is the main core of the network of Linux. No one can bypass this kernel line. The networking security feature is a main point.
I am not familiar with Image Builder for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and have not built any images using Red Hat.
Regarding the pricing of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), I am not purchasing any membership right now. I purchased it previously, but I am not currently.
I chose Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) because it is so user-friendly. In every server, I need to use it for security reasons, and it is user-friendly for everyone. The source code is very simple. I can create my own tools and automation scripting.
My overall rating for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is 10 out of 10.
Automation with hybrid deployments has improved security and reduced downtime in daily banking work
What is our primary use case?
I work with the on-premises deployment of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
In our organization, we are using Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) for deployment, scheduling tasks, and automation tasks as part of our day-to-day activities. We find Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) to be a very flexible operating system, meaning we can utilize this machine for years without concerns about it hanging or any issues.
Currently, we have started using Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) in a hybrid environment, specifically with AWS cloud along with on-premises deployments. We are in the phase of deployment and are just beginning to utilize it on the cloud.
One specific pain point that Red Hat helped us solve is automation, particularly through Ansible. It is a powerful tool that enables us to effectively automate tasks, which is incredibly helpful in our operations.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) does help me save time, especially with automation tools like Ansible. We can execute tasks and then focus on other activities, which significantly enhances our productivity.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) has helped mitigate downtime and lower risks in the banking sector. We previously were not using cloud but have begun transitioning to a hybrid environment to enhance security and productivity, especially given our experiences with on-premises products.
What is most valuable?
I have previously used Ubuntu and CentOS as different solutions. However, since Ubuntu is not much familiar in our organization, we moved to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). CentOS has already been decommissioned and merged into Red Hat, so for the past seven years, we have been using Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Before that, we were using Ubuntu, both in college and school days, and I have worked with different flavors and also on Oracle.
The key difference I see between Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and Ubuntu is mainly in the support offered. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) provides 24x7 support for any critical issues we face. As we are working in the banking sector, having that support is crucial. In contrast, with Ubuntu or CentOS, we do not have timely support; we need to raise tickets and face delays in deployment and production, which is a significant drawback.
I assess the knowledge base offered by Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) as very good. The training sessions are beneficial and it is totally open source, allowing us to access official sites for learning and documentation. I continuously learn with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and find plenty of free documents available for study. Compared to other operating systems like Ubuntu, there is not as much documentation, making it easier to learn using Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) official resources.
The most important security features in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) stem from its open-source nature, which allows us to easily understand what happens within the system and identify potential loopholes. Additionally, SELinux is a powerful security module we use to block external threats. It also features a firewall, encryption, and uses advanced algorithms like SALT and SH5, making it difficult for malicious entities to crack the system. In essence, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) has robust security features.
I have used the Image Builder of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) but not the system roles. Image Builder has proven useful for creating images.
The Image Builder is very easy and simplifies tasks, significantly reducing our workload. It saves us a lot of time compared to what we used to do previously, thereby boosting our productivity.
What needs improvement?
I have not identified any specific improvements needed in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), but I would recommend reducing the cost of certification training. This would allow more people, including students, to access global certifications and deepen their interaction with the systems. Overall, I am satisfied with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and find it smooth, even as I start using newer versions like Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 10, which features AI functions.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) for the last seven years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I find the stability of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) to be very good. Over the years, we have not encountered any significant issues, which is a key reason we have transitioned to using Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I find Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) to be scalable. Since much of it is open-source, we do not incur costs for various functionalities, reducing expenses while still being scalable.
How are customer service and support?
The customer service and technical support provided by Red Hat are very good. They respond promptly, even in off-hours, such as at 3:00 AM. We have no regrets about our decision to shift to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
I would rate the technical support of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) as eight out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is very straightforward due to my prior experience. I did not face any issues, and the support from the Red Hat subscription plan has been helpful throughout the process.
What other advice do I have?
I understand the pricing aspect. We are using Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) as a free-of-cost OS, but we do require a subscription for support. While I am not involved at the management level, I know there is a cost for the subscription plan that provides 24x7 support, though I do not know the exact amount.
The business value of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is significant in comparison to other Linux distributions I have used, particularly because we work with banking clients that operate around the clock. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) provides instant response for support, allowing us to resolve issues quickly, which is crucial for maintaining productivity and operations without downtime.
I definitely recommend Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) to other organizations considering it for their environment. I also suggest students download Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) to learn Linux instead of opting for Ubuntu or CentOS.
Apart from Ansible, I have previously worked with OpenShift from Red Hat. While we are not currently using it, I have found it to be flexible and beneficial. However, we are mainly focused on AWS for now.
I would give Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) as a product or solution a rating of 9.5 out of 10.