Why should we use RHEL 5.5 instead of Fedora 8?

[IT_2010]

I have to investigate the technical benefits of using RHEL 5.5 instead of Fedora 8 on our servers.
So can anybody provide me specific reasons with proper justification?

Early response would be appriciated.

Thanks

[Irithori]

If the question is between RedHat 5.5 and fedora 8,
then the answer is very easy:
- fedora 8 is outdated. We are at fedora 13 right now.
So: RedHat 5.5.

But I guess, you ask more general
1. RedHat: You need a valid subscription (ie "licence") for each of the servers to
update.
Other than that, RedHat Enterprise -as a server distribution- has fairly stable update paths.
2. CentOS: Same as above, but you do not need subscriptions.
3. Fedora: Some call it the development tree of RedHat, so a update may have one or the other surprise.
But nothing, that couldnt be handled.
Also: no subscriptions needed.

RedHat and CentOS tend to be more conservative than fedora:
That means:
- Less Version or feature upgrades in favour of backports.
- The advantage is: They provide a vey stable, reliable and not-changing environment.
Which are good things for a server to have.

On the downside:
Developers and probably even business will eventually call for newer (newest) versions of package XYZ.
Which you should very carefully evaluate and even resist, or the advantages from above go byebye.

[IT_2010]

Thanks for your quick reply.

If you can elaborate difference between RHEL 5.5 & Fedora in terms of stability, security, reliability, performance etc.

We are looking for better option to set up a new server m/c.

[Irithori]

As I wrote before.
The main difference is, that fedora is the "testbed" for later redhat versions.
This is, where new applications and concepts are tested in a large envionment.
ie: all fedora users.

Security:
both are updated, as soon as a bug and it´s fix are available, which means a couple of days at max.

Stability:
I would say RedHat has the advantage here, for the reason explained above:
It is more convservative.

Reliability:
RedHat. Same reason as above.

Performance:
I dont expect fedora or redhat to have any significant differences here

Documentation:
Look here
RedHat Enterprise Manuals
Nice and shiny

[Irithori]

Also, in RedHat, you pay for subscriptions.
So, depending on the level, you have access to commercial support.