Red Hat releases Fedora Core 2
Red Hat released its newest Linux product on Tuesday, Fedora Core 2, a free version designed for enthusiasts and developers who want to try out newer features. Fedora is designed as a proving ground where new technology can mature before incorporation into Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), the company's corporate product. Although Fedora can be downloaded for free, it lacks long-term support from Red Hat and hardware and software partners such as IBM and Oracle.
Among Fedora Core 2's new features are the 2.6 kernel, updated code for Linux that's snappier and better for multiprocessor machines, and Security-Enhanced Linux, which makes it harder to perform unauthorized actions. Those features will be incorporated in RHEL 4, due to arrive in early 2005, Red Hat has said.
Red Hat, the top Linux seller, peeved some Linux fans when it split its product line, forcing a choice between Fedora, free but unsupported and rough around the edges, and Enterprise Linux, mature and supported but costing $350 per year for a basic version. The Raleigh, N.C.-based company, however, argues that the split better represents the divide among Linux users--between early adopters eager for the latest upgrade and conservative businesses that don't enjoy change or being guinea pigs.
The company now has new pressure from Novell in currying favor with the enthusiasts. Novell is releasing e-mail software, management utilities and other programs as open-source packages.
"Red Hat needs to re-establish its open-source credentials," RedMonk analyst James Governor said. "Right now Novell looks a little more open-source-focused."
