New Enterprise Linux to leverage SOA, Virtualization and Web applications; Reduces costs while improving flexibility in computing infrastructure

Middle East, 26 April 2007: Opennet MEA, the Master Distributor and Certified Training Centre of Red Hat Linux products for GCC, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and all African French-speaking countries, held a series of one on one meetings in Saudi Arabia and UAE to promote the new Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 to its key partners and enterprise customers in the region.

"Red Hat sees a huge market potential in Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and the middleware market in these countries," said David Allinson, General Manager, Opennet MEA. "The new Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5.0 provides CIOs and IT managers with the means to reduce costs while improving operational flexibility throughout their computing infrastructure."

Some of the key benefits of RHEL 5 include Virtualization, provided in all Server products and optionally available for Client products; Storage and extended server virtualization; support for virtualized guest operating systems and virtualization manager, and management tools. RHEL 5 offers seamless upgrade from previous Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions along with excellent scalability.

"Upgrading the existing Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS, ES and WS installation to the new version couldn't be easier," pointed out Ons Mrabet, Sales Manager, Opennet MEA. "Existing subscription already entitles the user to version 5, and they will be able to access the appropriate distribution channels when they login to Red Hat Network. All they need is to simply download the new version and install it."

The new Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 also provides transition of previous Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS, ES, WS and Red Hat Desktop offerings with simplified server and client products. Added SELinux security enhancements in the new version include Multi-Level Security and targeted policies for all services; SEtroubleshooter GUI that simplifies SELinux management; integrated directory and security capabilities; IPSEC enhancements for improved security and performance and ExecShield enhancements, such as a call frame Canary word and strengthened hacker defenses. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5's new audit features provide powerful new search/reporting and real-time monitoring.

In the new Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Desktop, enhancements include updated configuration tools, applications, and laptop support. It also comes with Foundational Stateless Linux features (autoconfigure, NetworkManager, etc.), improved ACPI support with features such as suspend to disk, Smart card login with PKI/Kerberos authentication, integrated multimedia support, and enhanced plug and play hardware support (cameras, printers, scanners, etc.). Network Manager also provides automatic wired and wireless network configuration

Red Hat's meetings this month with Opennet's key partners and customers in Saudi Arabia and UAE are aimed at helping them accelerate their businesses by sharing with them information on how to shift to SOA and the next generation of web-enabled applications running on a low-cost, secure open source platform.

About Opennet MEA
Opennet MEA is the Master Distributor and Certified Training & Education Centre of Red Hat Inc. in the following regions and countries: United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and all African French-speaking countries. Launched in 2003 in Dubai as head quarter for the Opennet Middle East & Africa operations, Opennet MEA aims to transfer its expertise on deploying Red Hat Linux to its covering regions by providing full range of consulting and professional services and assisting organizations and companies with the assessment, design and implementation of Linux solutions for ensuring high availability, reliability, performance, scalability and manageability within IT environments.

The Major Share Holder of Opennet is GMH, one of the Top 5 Holding Groups in Tunisia with more that $ 400 Million of Total Sales in Various Industries for FY'2005.  

For more information on Opennet MEA, please visit www.opennet.ae

About Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat, the world's leading open source solutions provider, is headquartered in Raleigh, NC with over 50 satellite offices spanning the globe. CIOs have ranked Red Hat first for value in Enterprise Software for three consecutive years in the CIO Insight Magazine Vendor Value study. Red Hat provides high-quality, low-cost technology with its operating system platform, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, together with applications, management and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) solutions, including the JBoss Enterprise Middleware Suite. Red Hat also offers support, training and consulting services to its customers worldwide. Learn more: http://www.redhat.com.

LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. RED HAT  and JBOSS are registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the US and other countries.

© Press Release 2007