How do I apply package updates to my RHEL system?

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Environment considerations

Red Hat Enterprise Linux starting with versions 6.1 and 5.7 introduced a new Red Hat Subscription Management (RHSM) service. Red Hat Network (RHN) has been decommissioned.

Users that are new to Red Hat or would like the enhanced subscription information and improved content access should use RHSM. If you are still using Red Hat Network, we advise you to migrate to RHSM as soon as possible. Customers using older versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux must continue using RHN Classic. Refer to FAQ for Changes to Red Hat's Entitlement Platform with RHEL 6.1 and 5.7 and What's the difference between management services provided by Red Hat Network (RHN) Classic and Red Hat Subscription Management (RHSM)? for more information on benefits of RHSM over RHN.

Prerequisites

Registering the system with the Subscription Manager

Graphical interface

Access the Subscription Management GUI client in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 via Activities, then select Show Applications and click All. Then select Red Hat Subscription Manager.

In Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 open Applications -> System Tools -> Red Hat Subscription Manager and in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 via System -> Administration -> Red Hat Subscription Manager.

Command line

A system can also be registered via the command line by using the "subscription-manager" command. To register your system either trough the GUI or form the command line follow the instructions in the Using and Configuring Red Hat Subscription Manager guide.

Make sure that your firewall allows configuring RHSM, for more information see How do I access RHSM (yum) through a firewall?.

General information on RHSM can be found in Red Hat Network Subscription Management, while FAQ for Changes to Red Hat's Entitlement Platform with RHEL 6.1 and 5.7 provides a quick overview and a comparison with RHN.

Applying package updates on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8

Before installing an update, make sure all previously released errata relevant to the system have been applied.

To access updates when using Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8, launch the graphical update tool through Applications -> Show Applications -> All -> Software, or from the command line via the following command:

# gnome-software

Within the graphical interface, select Updates.

For a command line interface, use the following command to update the operating system:

# dnf update

To install a specific package, such as vsftpd, use the following command:

# dnf install vsftpd

To update a specific package, such as bind, use the following command:

# dnf update bind

To find more information about the command line options available for yum, use the following command:

# man dnf

Applying package updates on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7

Before installing an update, make sure all previously released errata relevant to the system have been applied.

To access updates when using Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, launch the graphical update tool through Applications -> System Tools -> Software Update, or from the command line via the following command:

# gpk-update-viewer

For a command line interface, use the following command to update the operating system:

# yum update

To install a specific package, such as vsftpd, use the following command:

# yum install vsftpd

To update a specific package, such as bind, use the following command:

# yum update bind

To find more information about the command line options available for yum, use the following command:

# man yum

Applying package updates on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6

Before installing an update, make sure all previously released errata relevant to the system have been applied.

To access updates when using Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, launch the graphical update tool through System -> Administration -> Software Update, or from the command line via the following command:

# gpk-update-viewer

For a command line interface, use the following command to update the operating system:

# yum update

To install a specific package, such as vsftpd, use the following command:

# yum install vsftpd

To update a specific package, such as bind, use the following command:

# yum update bind

To find more information about the command line options available for yum, use the following command:

# man yum

Applying package updates on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5

Before installing an update, make sure all previously released errata relevant to the system have been applied.

To access updates when using Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5, launch the graphical update tool through Applications -> System Tools -> Software Updater, or from the command line via the following command:

# pup

For a command line interface, use the following command to update the operating system:

# yum update

To install a specific package, such as vsftpd, use the following command:

# yum install vsftpd

To update a specific package, such as bind, use the following command:

# yum update bind

To find more information about the command line options available for yum, use the following command:

# man yum

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