Red Hat NETWORK - USER REFERENCE GUIDE 1.2 User Reference Manual page 61

Frequently Asked Questions 61
Q: What is the difference between the Red Hat Update Agent and the Red Hat
Network Web Application?
A: Both allow you to retrieve the latest software packages for a registered system from
RHN. However, the Red Hat Network Web Application allows you to manage more
than more registered system at the same time through a Web interface and is more
customizable.
Q: Why is something called rhnsd running on my system and what does it do?
A: rhnsd is the Red Hat Network Daemon. Every thirty minutes, it sends a request
to Red Hat Network asking for any notifications or updates and works in coordination
with the Red Hat Network Web Application to schedule automated tasks. It only
sends information to Red Hat Network requested by you. If you add a new system
using the Red Hat Network Web Application, the next time the Red Hat Network
Daemon probes Red Hat Network it receives a request to return the information you
requested as part of your System Profile such as what package versions are installed
on your system.