How do I apply package updates to my RHEL system?
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.
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For Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, register the system using RHSM as described in Registering the system with the Subscription Manager. Then update the system according to instructions in Applying package updates on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.
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For Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, register the system using RHSM (if RHEL 6.1 or above) as described in Registering the system with the Subscription Manager. Then update the system according to instructions in Applying package updates on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.
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For Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5, register the system using RHSM (if RHEL 5.7 or above) as described in Registering the system with the Subscription Manager. After registration, update the system according to instructions in Applying package updates on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.
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If your system cannot connect to the Internet directly, our Red Hat Satellite offering may be of interest.
Prerequisites
Registering the system with the Subscription Manager
Access the Subscription Management GUI client in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 via Applications -> System Tools -> Red Hat Subscription Manager and in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 via System -> Administration -> Red Hat Subscription Manager. 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 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