Installing the correct version of RHEL 5 Advanced Platform.
 

Dear Linux Gurus and RedHat Experts,

I am about to install RHEL 5 Advanced Platform x86-64 on a high end machine with 4 sockets of CPU. However, I only have the subscription number from RedHat and can log on into rhn.redhat.com. However there are only one version ISO image per CPU (i386-32,x86-64,powerpc,etc).

questions :
1) How to verify that the version is really "RHEL 5 Advanced Platform" ?

I have read this thread, meaning that this issue has not been solved yet :
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...-rel-5-666143/

2) After installing the DVD, is it required to connect to redhat network to update the kernel support up to 4 sockets ?

Any URLS or explanation would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

There is no "RHEL 5 Advanced Platform." It is just RHEL 5. The same RHEL 5 that goes on a single processor 64 bit machine also goes on a 32 processor 64 bit machine.

Hi thedonkdonk,

please see this webpage :
http://www.redhat.com/rhel/compare/

The difference is obvious. RHEL 5 "Advanced Platform" can support unlimited CPU socket. Meanwhile RHEL 5 "Base server" can support up to 2 socket only.

My concern is to install the correct version so that it can utilize all of the 4 Socket Processor.

Hi.

Let me clarify. There is only one download for the x86_64 version. After install you need to connect to Red Hat network to update the kernel for the extra socket support. Basically, purchasing the "Advanced Platform" gives you access to an extra repository for the unlimited socket support. I hope I cleared this up. Good luck.

It's interesting -- if you log in to the RHN web application and view the "download software" section, you'll see that RHEL4 has AS, ES, and WS available for each of the architectures, but for RHEL5 the only distinction is by architecture.

Contact RH support and ask this question. Please post back here when you have it figured out.

AFAIK, no. But you're going to want to register with the RHN and get updates anyway (for security updates and bugfixes).

Hi thedonkdonk and anomie,

thank you for the replies.

Finally, can figure out the issue.

Actually, I need to fill in the RedHat Subscription number
when asked during the DVD installation. It will 'open' the
packages for the correct version (advanced platform or
base server) to install.

Skipping the first dialog box will not suspend the installation
process. however it only install for the core package only.
to get the correct version, we have to update to RH Network.

Hi Zepiroth,

I realise this reply is a little late but I had this same issue, you may be able to determine whether you are running RHEL5 base or AP by checking the maximum number of supported cpus in your kernel

As per http://www.redhat.com/rhel/compare/:
AP => unlimited (255)
base => 2

I havent tested this on base but try:
grep CONFIG_NR_CPUS /boot/config-*

output from my system running AP shows:
CONFIG_NR_CPUS=255

cheers,

kbp

On fresh 64bits installs (RHEL 5.2) I have CONFIG_NR_CPUS=255
But I didn't do anything to install them as Advanced Platform (kickstart installed)
Same kickstart used for other 32bits servers (only distrib modified, ofc)
On those 32bits servers CONFIG_NR_CPUS=32

64bits installations are automatically Advanced Platform?
Or this variable CONFIG_NR_CPUS is not enough to tell if it's a "Server" or "Advanced Platform" install?