Several points (all for "enterprises I've worked at") 1) Folks tend to hold onto hardware WAY past the expiration date. We still have SunFire v1xx boxes alive and some x86 boxes that aren't 64 bit capable. If they want the latest OS, buy new hardware. 2) I've never seen an OS upgraded across major releases under an existing app (other than a web server). Generally it is the other way. The app guys want to run the new version, which requires the new OS, which requires new hardware, which requires a full recert. 3) Just because IBM can do it on mainframes and Power/AIX boxes, doesn't mean you can do it on x86 hardware. Or should even try. 4) As others have noted, comparing RHEL to Fedora is not valid. On Tue, 26 Jul 2011, Mike Burger wrote: > >> On Tue, 26 Jul 2011, Mike Burger wrote: >> >>> If IBM can make this happen for their OS, and Red Hat certainly supports >>> such a process in the Fedora line of releases (including the ability to >>> list additional repositories for remote installation as part of the >>> process), they could certainly make it a supportable option for the RHEL >>> line. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Jim Wildman, CISSP, RHCE jim at rossberry.com http://www.rossberry.net "Society in every state is a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one." Thomas Paine