====== Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) ======

[[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:start|Go up to Terms and Definitions]]

===== Discussion =====

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is an enterprise Linux operating-system distribution produced and supported by Red Hat.

RHEL provides an operating-system foundation for physical machines, virtual machines, cloud instances, containers, development environments, and production platforms. Organizations commonly use [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:r:rhel]] in enterprise, regulated, and high-assurance environments that require controlled releases, security updates, lifecycle support, and vendor support.

A number following RHEL identifies the applicable major version family. For example, **RHEL 9** identifies the Red Hat Enterprise Linux major version 9 family. A further number may identify a minor release within that family.

Within Crucible, RHEL may provide the operating system for a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:b:base_image|Base Image]], [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:g:guest_image|Guest Image]], [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:h:hardened_image|Hardened Image]], or [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:c:capability_image|Capability Image]].

===== Definition =====

//enterprise Linux operating-system distribution produced and supported by Red Hat//

===== Source =====

Generalized from Red Hat product terminology and specialized for the Crucible architecture and operational model.

===== Note =====

The acronym **RHEL** identifies Red Hat Enterprise Linux. A number following the acronym identifies the major version family.

For example:

  * **RHEL 9** identifies major version 9
  * **RHEL 9.4** identifies minor release 9.4 within the RHEL 9 family

A reference to RHEL 9 does not necessarily identify a specific minor release. A reproducible build should identify and record the exact release and associated installation media or package sources used.

===== Example =====

A Crucible Image Baseline identifies [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:r:rhel]] 9 as the operating-system family and pins the specific installation medium, package repositories, and source revisions used to produce the Machine Image.

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