The latest release of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL 5) sees the usual clutch of open source performance, functionality and security updates joined, for the first time, by integrated virtualisation facilities deemed suitable for production use.

Based on Xen Source technology, RHEL 5 offers support for two types of virtualisation: so-called para-virtualisation, where guests are limited to modified versions of the Red Hat Linux O/S; and full virtualisation, where other guests, including Windows, can be run unmodified.

However, as with Xen Server for Windows, you’ll need the latest Intel VT or AMD-V enabled processors to take advantage of the full virtualisation option.

Management could be an issue, too, especially in a small business with limited expertise. Command-line and graphical management tools are provided, but we didn’t find them as easy to use, or as comprehensive, as those provided with the standalone Xen Server application. Neither do they measure up to what you get with VMWare or Microsoft virtualisation products.

That said, the virtualisation capabilities are a welcome addition, as are the licensing changes that also accompany this release. An annual subscription still applies, but a single RHEL 5 server licence now replaces the old tiered ES and AS subscriptions, which means you get everything on offer, including the full set of virtualisation features, no matter what level of subscription you opt to buy.

On the downside, there are some limitations, such as support for just two processor sockets in the base server and four virtual guests. As such customers with larger networks will be interested in the new Red Hat Advanced Platform which, at €1,235 ex Vat (about £836) per system/year, is great value because it has no limits when it comes to either processors or guests. It also incorporates the Red Hat Cluster Suite and Red Hat Global File system for storage virtualisation.

A unified RHEL Desktop implementation has also been developed (desktop subscriptions start at €62 – about £42 – per system ex Vat) to which you can add optional enhancements. The Workstation option provides support for dual processors and unlimited memory, while the Multi OS option adds similar virtualisation facilities to those available on the server.

Desktop users will also welcome support for high-performance graphics cards, better wireless and power management, plus printer and USB enhancements. The application set is still based on the Gnome desktop, Mozilla Firefox and Openoffice, but these are similarly updated, and fancy graphical effects, such as those in Windows Vista, are possible with the right hardware.

Performance enhancements include support for the latest quad-core processors and improved SMP scalability. Security also gets a boost with improvements to both the SE Linux implementation and management tools. Finally, installation has been streamlined with the option of supplying an installation number to automatically configure the setup to match the licence purchased, with minimal operator input required as a result.

Coming as it does some months after the release of Novell’s rival SLES 10, RHEL 5 will help Red Hat counter growing competition from both Microsoft and Linux. Existing ES Server customers can upgrade straight away, while those with AS will get the full Advanced Platform features when they renew their subscriptions, with no change to the price.