Red Hat was the first company to produce a mainstream, popular distribution of the Linux operating system. Like most Linux variants, Red Hat evolves between versions.

The main difference from one release to the next is the inclusion of support for hardware and third-party products that weren't around for the previous release, as well as modifications and bug fixes in the drivers for older hardware and software.

Red Hat 7.1 doesn't break with convention on the update front. The main changes from 7.0 are the inclusion of version 2.4 of the Linux kernel and version 4.0.3 of the XFree86 user interface package.

There are dozens of other changes, though, including improved USB support, better support for removable disks, support for a number of new Ethernet and ATM network cards, and FireWire digital video adaptor compatibility.

The main software packages commonly used by Linux aficionados have been updated. New versions of BIND (the domain name server package) and the ubiquitous Apache web server have been included, as have user-proof GUI-based front-ends for both.

This is an excellent idea, as both Apache and BIND have traditionally relied on cryptic text-based configuration files that can be daunting for non-experts.

A similar easy-to-use interface has also been included that makes adding printers far easier than before.

The installation system for Red Hat has always been fairly friendly, as it is clever enough to auto-detect the video hardware in the PC and launch a GUI-based wizard-like installer.

Hardware detection

The install process is simply a case of walking through the screens answering questions about what time zone you are in, what IP address you want to give the network card (if you have one), where your mouse is connected, and so on.

The latter part is a little puzzling given that, if you're using the GUI-based installer it's already figured out what hardware you have, but it will auto-detect most things so you generally just have to tell it things like what screen resolution you want to use.

Although you're given the option of a standard 'server' or 'workstation' setup, you can also select 'custom' and pick the components you want.

There's no harm in choosing the 'everything' custom option, but this will eat up a gigabyte or so of disk space, so be frugal if you don't have a huge disk.

Up and running

Once up and running, Red Hat acts just like many Unix-like systems, and herein lies the only real downside: unless you're familiar with the Unix family, it can be a daunting OS to use, with cryptic commands and (unless you choose to install a GUI-based login screen) a text-based user interface like DOS.

While it isn't hard to learn the basics of Linux, it isn't as intuitive for a beginner as, say, Windows or MacOS.

Although previous systems have been relatively stable, Red Hat has managed to introduce a glitch into 7.1, namely that the new version of the driver for 7000-series Adaptec SCSI cards has a neat bug that hangs the installer completely.

Although there is a workaround described on Red Hat's site, such a glaring issue does detract to a certain extent from the product. However, once the system is installed, Red Hat 7.1 is fine.

There are a few interesting differences for experienced system managers, not least the fact that the /etc/inetd.conf internet service configuration file is no more and you have to find your way around a new configuration file structure. In general, though, everything will be familiar to experienced Red Hat users.

Those who are used to its superior ability to work with very new hardware won't be disappointed, either. Red Hat 7.1 managed perfectly with the very new NetGear network card in our machine, where other distributions failed.

Good things come in threes

Red Hat 7.1 is available in three forms. The Standard version is the basic package with access to web-based installation support for a month.

Deluxe Workstation adds some extra documentation and CDs of add-on tools, plus another month's web support and 60 days' telephone-based help.

The Professional Server adds further server-oriented applications on yet another CD, and extends support to 90 days by both web and phone.

If you have a fast internet connection and don't want to buy the boxed version, you can download the two installer CD images and the power tools CD image from various online archives that are all listed at www.redhat.com/download/mirror.html

Price

Standard: £28.29 (£24.08 ex VAT)
Deluxe Workstation: £56.61 (£48.18 ex VAT)
Professional Server: £127.43 (£108.45 ex VAT)

Contact
Red Hat: 01483 300 169 www.europe.redhat.com