Overview - How to migrate RHEL systems to new RHEL 6 Flex Entitlement Model using RHN Classic

Updated

Before you begin, see:

Overview - How to migrate client systems to the new RHEL 6 Flex Entitlement Model

### How do you migrate RHEL systems to new RHEL 6 Flex Entitlement model using RHN Classic ### {#How_do_you_migrate_RHEL_systems_to_new_RHEL_6_Flex_Entitlement_model_using_RHN_Classic} 
1. Login to RHN
2. Go to Entitlements >> Virtualization Entitlements 
3. Check the systems consuming Virtualization Hosts, Virtualization Platform Entitlements
4. Un-entitle these Add-On entitlements for the Host system profiles (System Profile --> Details --> Properties)
5. Check for the eligible systems for conversion for flex under "Guest Consuming Regular Entitlements" and Flex Guests >>
   Flex Guest Entitlement Eligible
6. Now make sure these systems have packages mentioned under article https://access.redhat.com/site/node/24908 to utilize flex guest.
7. Re-register the guest systems to RHN and they should be using 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.
  • RHN 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: 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.

  • RHN Classic customers should begin migrating to Flex Guest entitlements  from the old Virtualization /Virtualization Platform model.
  • RHN Classic customers will need to modify their usage to stop depending  on Virtualization/Virtualization Platform entitlements, and move to  Flex Guest 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 the 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: So RHN Classic clients really do have to re-register systems to start consuming Flex?

A: Yes, customers who have registered with older RHEL versions on RHN have to re-register any guest systems to start using Flex entitlements after ensuring packages((rhnlib, rhn-setup, rhn-client-tools, dmidecode, python-dmidecode, hal, yum(or up2date) +dependencies)) are latest. Customers using Virtualization/Virtualization Platform who renew to RHEL 6 subscriptions will find their guest systems become un-entitled and the Host has its Virtualization entitlement removed. If the guest system is running new RHEL (5.4+) versions, then they can re-entitle the system and it will consume Flex, if Flex is available.

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 would 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.

Q: Does Certificate-Based Subscription Management (via RHSM) support Flex entitlements ?

A: The new subscription is available via access.redhat.com/management for clients using RHEL 6.1 & RHEL 5.7 and newer versions of RHEL.  The Virtualization and Virtualization Platform entitlements can only be used within RHN Classic/Satellite 5.x

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