Red Hat Update Agent; Starting The Red Hat Update Agent - Red Hat NETWORK 3.5 - MANAGEMENT Reference Manual

The Red Hat Update Agent is your connection to Red Hat Network. It enables you to register your
systems, create System Profiles, and alter the settings by which your organization and RHN interact.
Once registered, your systems can use the Red Hat Update Agent to retrieve the latest software
packages from Red Hat. This tool will allow you to always have the most up-to-date Red Hat Linux
systems with all security patches, bug fixes, and software package enhancements.
Remember, this tool must be run on the system you wish to update. You cannot use the Red Hat
Update Agent on the system if it is not entitled to an RHN service offering.
Warning
Only systems running Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 can use the Red Hat Update Agent to register
with RHN. Systems running Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 will need to use the separate Red Hat
Network Registration Client before starting the Red Hat Update Agent. Refer to Chapter 6 Red
Hat Network Registration Client for instructions. Then return to this chapter for instructions on
using the Red Hat Update Agent.
Important
You must use Red Hat Update Agent Version 2.5.4 or higher to upgrade your kernel automatically.
It will install the updated kernel and configure LILO or GRUB to boot the new kernel the next time
the system is rebooted. To ensure you are running the latest version, execute the command
. If you do not have the latest version installed, this command will update it.
up2date

2.1. Starting the Red Hat Update Agent

If you are not running the X Window System or prefer the command line version of the Red Hat
Update Agent, skip to Section 2.3.5 Command Line Version.
You must be root to run the Red Hat Update Agent. If you start it as a standard user, you will be
prompted to enter the root password before proceeding. The Red Hat Update Agent can be started
using one of the following methods:
For Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3:
On the GNOME and KDE desktops, go to the Main Menu Button (on the Panel) => System Tools
•
=> Red Hat Network.
At a shell prompt (for example, an xterm or gnome-terminal), type the command
•
For Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1:
On the GNOME desktop, go to the Main Menu Button (on the Panel) => Programs => System
•
=> Update Agent.
On the KDE desktop, go to the Main Menu Button (on the Panel) => Update Agent.
•
At a shell prompt (for example, an xterm or gnome-terminal), type the command
•

Red Hat Update Agent

Chapter 2.
up2date
.
up2date
.
up2date