Which Installation Class is Best For You?
Usually, Red Hat Linux is installed on its own disk partition or set of partitions, or over another installation of Linux.
 | Warning |
|---|---|
Installing Red Hat Linux over another installation of Linux (including Red Hat Linux) does not preserve any information (files or data) from a prior installation. Make sure you save any important files! To preserve the current data on your existing system, you should back up your data. |
Red Hat Linux provides three different classes, or types, of installations:
- Workstation
A workstation installation is most appropriate if you are new to the world of Linux. It will create a system for your home or desktop use. A graphical, Windows-like environment will be installed.
Important Workstation installations are not recommended for S/390 systems.
- Server
A server installation is most appropriate if you would like your system to function as a Linux-based server, and you do not want to heavily customize your system configuration. The server-class installation is the preferred type of installation for S/390 systems.
- Custom
A custom installation allows you the greatest flexibility during your installation. You choose your boot loader, which packages you want, and more. Custom installations are most appropriate for those users more familiar with Red Hat Linux installations and for those afraid of losing complete flexibility.
These classes give you the option of simplifying the installation process (with some potential for loss of configuration flexibility), or retaining flexibility with a slightly more complex installation process. Next, take a detailed look at each class, so you can see which one is right for you.
Workstation Installations
Most suitable for new users, the workstation installation will install your choice of the GNOME or KDE desktop environments, or both, and the X Window System (the graphical environment).
Below are the minimum recommended disk space requirements for a workstation installation where only one language (such as English) will be installed.
Workstation choosing GNOME or KDE: 1.1 GB
Workstation choosing both GNOME and KDE: 1.3 GB
If you plan to choose all group packages (for example, GNOME is a group of packages), as well as select additional individual packages, you may want to allow yourself 1.6 GB or more of disk space. If you provide this extra space, you will have room for additional data, if needed.
 | Note |
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Unlike workstation installations previous to Red Hat Linux 7.0, performing a Red Hat Linux 7.2 workstation installation will not install the network daemon xinetd (inet services). When xinetd is not installed, you will have a more secure installation. However, in-bound network-related services such as finger, telnet, talk, and FTP will not work.[1] If you require these types of services, please go back and choose a server or a custom installation. |
Server Installations
A server installation is most appropriate if you would like your system to function as a Linux-based server, and you do not want to heavily customize your system configuration.
Below are the minimum recommended disk space requirements for a server installation where only one language (such as English) will be installed.
Server minimum with no graphical interface: 800 GB
Server choosing everything, no graphical interface: 900 GB
Server choosing everything, GNOME and KDE: 1.5 GB
If you plan to choose all group packages, as well as select additional individual packages, you may want to allow yourself 1.5 GB or more of disk space. This will provide space where additional data may be written.
During the server installation, the X Window System is not configured and no GUI will be loaded when the system boots, unless you choose to install the appropriate packages during package selection.
Custom Installations
The custom installation allows you the most flexibility during your installation. During a custom installation, you have complete control over the packages that will be installed on your system.
The recommended disk space requirements for a custom installation are as follows:
Custom minimum: 350 MB
Custom choosing the default package set: 850 MB
Custom choosing everything: 3 GB