Overview - How to migrate RHEL systems to new RHEL 6 Flex Entitlement Model using Red Hat Satellite 5

Updated

Before you begin, see: Overview - How to migrate client systems to the new RHEL 6 Flex Entitlement Model

How to migrate RHEL systems to new RHEL 6 Flex Entitlement Model using Red Hat Satellite 5

  1. Install the package rhn-upgrade in Red Hat Satellite 5

     # yum install rhn-upgrade

  2. Remove Virtualization Host entitlements from Xen/KVM host one by one and follow steps given below to convert them to flex guest entitlements.

     # cd /etc/sysconfig/rhn/satellite-upgrade 
 # ./entitlement-check.py

Or
Login to satellite webui
Overview -> Subscription Management -> Virtualization Entitlements -> Guests Consuming Regular Entitlements
If systems are listed here then try to convert them. If some systems are not listed on above page or not converted then need to check what RHEL release they are using. (Flex entitlement can be consumed by RHEL 5.4 and RHEL 4.8 onwards only)
3. If systems are not updated then update atleast yum* rhn* packages on system and run "rhn-profile-sync" and follow step 2 to
convert systems to Flex entitlements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What virtual entitlement changes happened with launch of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6?

A: With the release of RHEL 6, new subscription "Smart Management" was released and these provided Flex entitlements as needed replacing Virtualization / Virtualization Platform which was provided with RHEL 5

  • “up to 1 guest” = 1 Flex; “up to 4 guests” = 4 Flex; “unlimited guests” = 100 Flex
  • The "Smart Management" subscription does not provide Virtualization / Virtualization Platform entitlements.
  • Satellite 5.4+ and RHN Classic still support using Virtualization / Virtualization Platform entitlements for RHEL 6 if you have the RHEL Advanced Platform subscriptions still under your account.
Q: Can I use both entitlement models (Flex & Virtualization / Virtualization Platform) for a single guest system?

A: No. You must either configure a known KVM/RHEV/Xen Host with Virtualization or Virtualization Platform entitlement or allow the known Host to consume a normal RHEL server entitlement. In the Virtualization or Virtualization Platform entitlement case, the guest consume entitlements for free as long as they are on that host. With the normal RHEL server entitlement, the guests consume individual Flex entitlements.

Q: If Flex is only supported in Satellite 5 (v5.4.x and up), what about older releases of Satellite 5?

A: Flex entitlements are displayed as regular physical entitlements in older releases of Satellite 5 servers. This allows you to move guest systems from Virtualization / Virtualization Platform entitlements to regular entitlements.

  • For example, someone with 50 regular and 100 Flex would see 150 regular entitlements available for consumption within their pre-5.4 releases of Red Hat Satellite.
Q: Can you still buy/renew RHEL 5 Server / Advanced Platform Subscriptions?

A: In general, No. Purchase of these subscriptions must receive special approval, please contact Red Hat Global Support Services

  • Red Hat Satellite customers should begin migrating to Flex Guest entitlements from the old Virtualization and Virtualization Platform model.
  • Red Hat Satellite customers will need to modify their usage to stop depending on Virtualization and Virtualization Platform entitlements, and move to Flex Guest entitlements.
  • With Satellite 5.4+ one can easily move guests to start using Flex entitlements.
  • With Satellite 5.0 -> 5.3 customers can easily move guests to regular entitlements.
Q: Will Red Hat provide options for customers to buy subscriptions which provide both types of virtual Entitlements?

A: No, at this point there are no plans to allow purchase of RHEL subscriptions which provide both virtual entitlements.  You will need to either renew/buy (with approval)  RHEL 5 Subscriptions (Virtualization/Virtualization Platform) or renew/buy RHEL 6 "Smart Management" Subscriptons (Flex).

Q: Do I need to buy more Management entitlements when moving to Flex?

A: Yes, some customers will need to buy more Management. Satellite customers should always buy one Management entitlement for each system registered.

    Please note that a heavy user of Virtualization or Virtualization Platform could find themselves needing to buy 100’s or 1000’s of Management entitlements which they were getting for free on these older entitlements. 

Q: RHEL guest is on RHEL 5.2. Is it necessary to upgrade OS deployments before using Flex entitlements ?

A: No, there is no need update to the newer OS.  Upgrade all the packages as mentioned in article DOC-35491 to enable this functionality.

Q: Can you re-entitle to Virtualization / Virtualization Platform entitlements after converting to Flex entitlements?

A: Yes. You need to un-entitle the Flex channel entitlements from the guest and then allow it to associate with the Host under the Virtualization / Virtualization Platform entitlement model, provided you have the entitlements under your account.

Quick Reference of Issues and Resolutions while upgrading Red Hat Satellite with new Smart Management Subscriptions (Flex)

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