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Chapter 1. Introduction to Red Hat Satellite Proxy

1.1. Red Hat Satellite Proxy Server

Red Hat Satellite Proxy Server is a package-caching mechanism that reduces the bandwidth requirements for Red Hat Satellite and enables custom package deployment. Satellite Proxy customers cache RPM packages, such as Errata Updates from Red Hat or custom packages generated by their organization, on an internal, centrally-located server. Client systems then receive these updates from Red Hat Satellite Proxy rather than by accessing the Internet individually.
Although the packages are served by Red Hat Satellite Proxy, clients' system profiles and user information are stored on a secure, central Red Hat Satellite Server. The Satellite Proxy acts as a go-between for client systems and the Red Hat Satellite Server. Only the package files are stored on the Satellite Proxy. Every transaction is authenticated, and the Red Hat Update Agent checks the GPG signature of each package retrieved from the local Satellite Proxy.
In addition to storing official Red Hat packages, the Satellite Proxy Server can be configured to deliver an organization's own custom packages from private channels. For example, an organization could develop its own software, package it in an RPM, sign it with its own GPG signature, and have the local Satellite Proxy Server update all of the individual systems in the network with the latest versions of the custom software.
Advantages of using Satellite Proxy Server include:
  • Scalability: one organization can support multiple local Red Hat Satellite Proxies.
  • Security: a secure connection is maintained from the client systems to the local Satellite Proxy, and from there to the Red Hat Satellite servers.
  • Saves time: packages are delivered significantly faster over a local area network than the Internet.
  • Saves bandwidth: packages are only downloaded once from Red Hat Satellite (using the local Satellite Proxy Server's caching mechanism), instead of downloading each package separately to each client system.
  • Customized updates: create an automated package delivery system for custom software packages, as well as official Red Hat packages required for the client systems. Customized, private Red Hat Satellite channels allow an organization to automate delivery of in-house packages.
  • Customized configuration: restrict or grant updates to specific architectures and operating system versions.