Understanding Red Hat Enterprise Subscription Agreements

Red Hat Enterprise Linux products are provided on a per-system annual subscription basis. Red Hat subscriptions continuously deliver trusted technology that is certified, secure, supported, and enjoys comprehensive ecosystem support--in addition to Red Hat Network and technical support services over the life of the subscription.

While our license agreement doesn't restrict the ability to copy and distribute the software in an organization, the enterprise agreement does require customers to purchase a subscription for each system consistent with its function and service level.

A Red Hat subscription delivers much more than support - it delivers access to a proven, tested, enterprise-ready platform.

Linux is made up of a vast number of individual components from a wide range of contributors. A Red Hat subscription takes Linux and turns it into proven, tested, enterprise-ready technology. Through this process a Red Hat subscription delivers much more than support.

You can still download the components for free and sort, examine, test, integrate, harden, and support a custom Linux solution. You can also hire the IT staff to create and maintain it--but most customers find this is not worth the expense, increased security risk, and the lack of hardware and software vendor support.

We're confident in the value we provide. The subscription is key to creating a mutually beneficial relationship with our customers.

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