Red Hat Training
A Red Hat training course is available for Red Hat Satellite
1.2. System Overview
Satellite consists of the following components:
- Database
- Satellite functions using two database types:
- Stand-Alone Database — An organization's existing database or, preferably, a separate machine. Satellite supports Oracle Database 11g Release 2, Standard or Enterprise Edition for the stand-alone database.
- Embedded Database — The database comes bundled with Satellite and is installed on the same machine as the Satellite during the installation process. The included database is Oracle Database 10g Release 2.
- Satellite Core
- The core system and entry point for Red Hat Update Agent running on client systems. Satellite also includes an Apache HTTP Server, which serves XML-RPC requests.
- Satellite Web Interface
- A user interface for advanced system, system group, user, and channel management. The organization configures access to the Satellite web interface from the local area network only or from both the local area network and the Internet. The Satellite's version of the Red Hat Network website allows full control over client systems, system groups, and users.
- RPM Repository
- Package repository for Red Hat RPM packages and custom RPM packages identified by the organization.
- Management Tools
- The Satellite Management Tools are used to synchronize the Satellite database and package repository with Red Hat Network. Satellite also includes management tools for:
- Database and file system synchronization;
- Custom RPM and repository imports;
- Channel maintenance (Web-based);
- Errata management (Web-based);
- User management (Web-based); and
- Client system and system grouping (Web-based).
- Red Hat Update Agent
- Reconfigure Red Hat Update Agent on client systems to retrieve updates from the organization's internal Satellite instead of the central Red Hat Network Servers. After this one-time reconfiguration, client systems retrieve updates locally using the Red Hat Update Agent. System administrators also schedule actions through the Satellite Web Interface.
Important
Red Hat strongly recommends that clients connected to Satellite be running the latest update of Red Hat Enterprise Linux to ensure proper connectivity.
When a client requests updates, the organization's internal Satellite queries its database, authenticates the client system, identifies the updated packages available for the client system, and sends the requested RPMs back to the client system. The client also installs the packages if set in preferences. If the packages are installed, the client system sends an updated package profile to the database on the Satellite. Those packages are removed from the list of outdated packages for the client.
Satellite can be used in conjunction with Red Hat Network Proxy Server to deliver a distributed, self-contained Red Hat Network deployment for the organization. For example, an organization can maintain one Satellite in a secure location and Red Hat systems connect to it via local network access connect. Other remote offices maintain Red Hat Network Proxy Server installations that connect to the Satellite. The different locations inside the organization require a networked connection, but this can be a private network; an Internet connection is not required for any of the systems. Refer to the Red Hat Network Proxy Server Installation Guide for more information.
Figure 1.1. Using Satellite and Red Hat Network Proxy Server Together
