When you're paying for RHEL you're not paying for the software that you are installing. All of that can be downloaded.
You are paying for:
- A reproducible target. You know EXACTLY what code you are running. If you manage more than three installations this is the only way you can diagnose and fix whatever issues your installation has.
- Support. The very few times I used RHEL support I always got timely and thorough assistance. Even when chasing a hardware bug or issues with third party device drivers.
- Backwards and FORWARDS compatibility. Red Hat systematically backports kernel bug fixes and support for new hardware to old kernels. We ran 2.6 kernels on Intel hardware released long after the 2.6 series were EOL.
- Device drivers. No, not for your five dollar mouse, but for hardware that costs the same as a small SUV.
If you're avoiding RHEL due to cost, have a look at their SKU list and talk to your local sales org, they have a wide range of options.
(Not affiliated with Red Hat or IBM, but RHCE since 2004)
You are paying for:
- A reproducible target. You know EXACTLY what code you are running. If you manage more than three installations this is the only way you can diagnose and fix whatever issues your installation has.
- Support. The very few times I used RHEL support I always got timely and thorough assistance. Even when chasing a hardware bug or issues with third party device drivers.
- Backwards and FORWARDS compatibility. Red Hat systematically backports kernel bug fixes and support for new hardware to old kernels. We ran 2.6 kernels on Intel hardware released long after the 2.6 series were EOL.
- Device drivers. No, not for your five dollar mouse, but for hardware that costs the same as a small SUV.
If you're avoiding RHEL due to cost, have a look at their SKU list and talk to your local sales org, they have a wide range of options.
(Not affiliated with Red Hat or IBM, but RHCE since 2004)