Red Hat introduces Enterprise Linux 7 Atomic Host

Red Hat has announced the general availability of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Atomic Host, an operating system optimized for running the next generation of applications with Linux containers. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Atomic Host provides all of the components necessary to easily package and run applications written for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 and 7 as containers.

Specifically designed to run Linux containers, Red Hat Enterprise Linux Atomic Host delivers only the operating system components required to run a containerized application, reducing overhead and simplifying maintenance. Because Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Atomic Host is built from Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, it inherits Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7's stability and maturity, as well as its vast ecosystem of certified hardware partners.

Jim Totton, Vice President and General Manager, Platforms Business Unit, Red Hat, “Today, with the launch of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Atomic Host, we are bridging innovative open technology with the stability and security required by the enterprise. More than just an addition to the Red Hat Enterprise Linux portfolio, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Atomic Host showcases the future of the enterprise application, a powerful, flexible application greater than the sum of its parts, and entirely fueled by the power of open innovation.”

Security is always a top enterprise priority, but the security properties of containers – including the ability to maintain security across a container’s lifecycle - have raised additional questions. To address container security and lifecycle concerns, Red Hat Enterprise Linux Atomic Host offers automated security updates on-demand, bringing enterprise customers the support and lifecycle benefits that come with Red Hat Enterprise Linux in a reduced image size. From Heartbleed and Shellshock to Ghost and beyond, Red Hat customers receive security notifications and product updates as they are available and also have access to security tools that address container reliability and security. This is a benefit Red Hat uniquely brings to container deployments for enterprise customers.