# Red Hat

> American multinational software company

**Wikidata**: [Q485593](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q485593)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Hat)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/red-hat

## Summary
Red Hat is an American multinational software company founded on March 27, 1993, known for its open-source solutions, particularly the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) operating system. It was acquired by IBM in 2019 for $34 billion, becoming a subsidiary focused on enterprise software and cloud computing. Red Hat is recognized for its role in advancing open-source technologies and fostering collaborative software development.

## Key Facts
* **Founded**: March 27, 1993, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
* **Founders**: Bob Young and Marc Ewing.
* **Acquisition**: Acquired by IBM in 2019 for $34 billion.
* **Headquarters**: Raleigh, North Carolina, with offices globally.
* **Key Products**: Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), OpenShift, Ansible, and JBoss.
* **Revenue**: $3.0 billion (2018), $3.4 billion (2019).
* **Employees**: 12,000 (2018), 19,000 (2019).
* **Stock Exchange**: Listed on the NASDAQ under ticker RHT until acquisition.
* **Licenses**: Primarily uses the GNU General Public License (GPL).
* **Subsidiaries**: Includes Cygnus Solutions, JBoss, and CoreOS.
* **Memberships**: Participates in the Linux Foundation, OpenStack Foundation, and Eclipse Foundation.

## FAQs
**What is Red Hat's primary business focus?**
Red Hat specializes in open-source software, offering enterprise solutions like RHEL, cloud platforms (OpenShift), automation tools (Ansible), and middleware (JBoss).

**Who founded Red Hat?**
Red Hat was co-founded by Bob Young and Marc Ewing in 1993. Young served as CEO until 1999, while Ewing developed early versions of Red Hat Linux.

**What is Red Hat's relationship with IBM?**
IBM acquired Red Hat in 2019 for $34 billion, integrating its open-source expertise into IBM's hybrid cloud strategy while maintaining Red Hat's operational independence.

**What are Red Hat's notable products?**
Key products include Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), OpenShift (a Kubernetes platform), Ansible (automation tool), and JBoss (middleware).

**What is Red Hat's revenue model?**
Red Hat generates revenue through subscriptions for its enterprise software, support services, and training, rather than licensing fees.

## Why It Matters
Red Hat revolutionized the software industry by proving the commercial viability of open-source models. Its acquisition by IBM underscored the strategic importance of open-source technologies in enterprise IT. By fostering collaboration and innovation, Red Hat has driven advancements in Linux, cloud computing, and automation, empowering organizations to adopt flexible, scalable solutions. Its commitment to open-source principles has democratized access to powerful technologies, shaping modern DevOps practices and cloud-native development.

## Notable For
* **Open-Source Leadership**: Pioneered the "open-source" business model, demonstrating profitability through support and services rather than proprietary licensing.
* **Enterprise Linux**: Established RHEL as the gold standard for enterprise Linux distributions, widely adopted in critical infrastructure and cloud environments.
* **Acquisition by IBM**: Marked a landmark transaction in tech history, highlighting the value of open-source innovation in enterprise technology.
* **Community Engagement**: Actively contributes to upstream projects like the Linux kernel, Kubernetes, and Fedora, ensuring alignment with community-driven development.
* **Diverse Portfolio**: Offers a comprehensive suite of solutions spanning operating systems, cloud platforms, automation, and middleware.

## Body

### Founding and Early Development
Red Hat was founded in 1993 by Bob Young and Marc Ewing, initially focusing on selling Linux CDs and support. The company shifted to an open-source model, releasing Red Hat Linux in 1994. Young's leadership emphasized community collaboration, distinguishing Red Hat from proprietary software vendors.

### Key Products and Technologies
* **Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)**: Launched in 2002, RHEL became the cornerstone of Red Hat's success, offering stable, enterprise-grade Linux for servers and workstations.
* **OpenShift**: A Kubernetes-based platform for cloud-native application development, launched in 2011, enabling hybrid cloud deployments.
* **Ansible**: Acquired in 2015, Ansible provides automation capabilities for IT operations, simplifying configuration management and deployment.
* **JBoss**: Acquired in 2006, JBoss middleware supports enterprise application development, integrating with Java EE standards.

### Acquisitions and Partnerships
* **Cygnus Solutions (2000)**: Strengthened Red Hat's open-source toolchain.
* **JBoss (2006)**: Expanded Red Hat's middleware offerings.
* **CoreOS (2018)**: Enhanced container and Kubernetes expertise.
* **IBM Acquisition (2019)**: Integrated Red Hat's open-source portfolio into IBM's cloud strategy, preserving operational independence.

### Community and Ecosystem
* **Fedora Project**: Sponsored by Red Hat, Fedora serves as a upstream community distribution for RHEL, fostering innovation and testing new technologies.
* **Open-Source Contributions**: Red Hat engineers contribute significantly to upstream projects, ensuring alignment with community priorities and driving Linux kernel development.

### Financial Performance and Impact
* **Revenue Growth**: From $200 million in 1999 to $3.4 billion in 2019, reflecting the demand for enterprise open-source solutions.
* **Market Influence**: Red Hat's success validated open-source business models, encouraging other companies to adopt collaborative development practices.

### Legacy and Cultural Impact
* **Open-Source Advocacy**: Red Hat's commitment to open-source principles has inspired a generation of developers and enterprises to embrace transparency and collaboration.
* **Industry Standards**: RHEL's dominance in enterprise Linux has made it a de facto standard for critical systems, from financial services to telecommunications.

### Technical Specifications and Architecture
* **RHEL Architecture**: Built on the Linux kernel, RHEL emphasizes stability, security, and long-term support, with a 10-year lifecycle for major releases.
* **OpenShift Architecture**: Combines Kubernetes, Docker, and RHEL to provide a scalable platform for containerized applications, supporting hybrid cloud environments.

### Global Presence and Operations
* **Headquarters**: Raleigh, North Carolina, with major offices in Boston, Dublin, and Singapore.
* **Subsidiaries**: Operates through subsidiaries like Red Hat Czech, Red Hat Israel, and Red Hat Japan, ensuring localized support and development.

### Memberships and Standards
* **Linux Foundation**: Platinum member, contributing to Linux kernel development and open-source governance.
* **OpenStack Foundation**: Supports cloud infrastructure development, aligning with Red Hat's OpenStack offerings.
* **Eclipse Foundation**: Participates in Java and IoT initiatives, enhancing middleware capabilities.

### Challenges and Controversies
* **Competition with Proprietary Vendors**: Navigated competition from Microsoft and Oracle, emphasizing open-source advantages.
* **Post-Acquisition Integration**: Maintained operational independence under IBM while leveraging synergies in cloud and AI initiatives.

### Future Directions
* **Hybrid Cloud Expansion**: Continues to develop OpenShift and RHEL to support multi-cloud strategies.
* **AI and Edge Computing**: Invests in AI/ML tools and edge computing solutions, addressing emerging enterprise needs.
* **Open-Source Innovation**: Remains committed to upstream contributions, ensuring RHEL and related products remain cutting-edge.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lenovo.com/de/de/servers-storage/solutions/redhat/)
2. [ZDNET](https://www.zdnet.com/article/happy-25th-birthday-red-hat-linux/)
3. [Source](https://www.redhat.com/en/about/press-releases/red-hat-acquire-coreos-expanding-its-kubernetes-and-containers-leadership)
4. [Source](https://www.redhat.com/en/blog/a-message-from-matthew)
5. [Source](https://www.wraltechwire.com/2020/04/06/red-hat-names-longtime-exec-paul-cormier-as-ceo-replacing-jim-whitehurst/)
6. [Source](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220712006126/en/Red-Hat-Names-Matt-Hicks-President-and-Chief-Executive-Officer)
7. GRID Release 2017-01-10
8. [Source](https://www.redhat.com/en/about/press-releases/red-hat-acquire-kubernetes-native-security-leader-stackrox)
9. [Source](https://www.linuxfoundation.org/membership/members/)
10. [Source](http://www.ecis.eu/about-ecis/)
11. [Source](https://cve.mitre.org/cve/request_id.html#cna_participants)
12. [Source](https://bytecodealliance.org/)
13. [Source](https://foundation.nodejs.org/about/members)
14. [Source](https://openjsf.org/about/members/)
15. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240407132217/https://ccianet.org/about/members/)
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. [IBM Closes Landmark Acquisition of Red Hat for $34 Billion; Defines Open, Hybrid Cloud Future. 2019](https://www.redhat.com/en/about/press-releases/ibm-closes-landmark-acquisition-red-hat-34-billion-defines-open-hybrid-cloud-future)
18. National Software Reference Library
19. [Source](https://investors.redhat.com/ir-resources/investor-faqs)
20. [Source](https://www.redhat.com/en/about/company-details)
21. [Red Hat Company Details](https://www.redhat.com/en/about/company-details)
22. Global LEI Index
23. GRID Release 2016-12-06
24. [2020](https://www.gleif.org/content/4-lei-data/8-lei-mapping/1-download-bic-to-lei-relationship-files/bic_lei_gleif_v1_monthly_full_20200327.csv)
25. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
26. [Security Contacts andProcedures](https://access.redhat.com/security/team/contact)
27. [Source](https://apps.db.ripe.net/search/lookup.html?source=ripe&key=2a03:8180:1001:1e9::/64&type=inet6num)
28. [Source](https://apps.db.ripe.net/search/lookup.html?source=ripe&key=2a03:8180:1001:1ea::/64&type=inet6num)
29. OpenCorporates
30. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Red_Hat-DB83W)
31. [Working at Red Hat | Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.sg/Overview/Working-at-Red-Hat-EI_IE8868.11,18.htm?countryRedirect=true)
32. [Red Hat Company Culture | Comparably](https://www.comparably.com/companies/red-hat)
33. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)