RHEL 10 Architecture Overview for Beginners

Table of Contents

• Introduction to RHEL 10
• Core Components of RHEL 10
• Kernel Architecture in RHEL 10
• Systemd and Service Management
• Package Management with RPM and DNF
• File System Architecture
• Security Features and SELinux
• Networking Architecture in RHEL 10
• Virtualization and Container Support
• Best Practices for Beginners

Introduction to RHEL 10

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 10 is the latest release of Red Hat's enterprise-grade Linux distribution, designed to provide organizations with a reliable, secure, and high-performance operating system for modern workloads. Unlike its predecessors, RHEL 10 introduces improvements in kernel efficiency, container support, system security, and cloud integration. For beginners, it is essential to understand that RHEL is a commercial distribution, which means it comes with official support, updates, and long-term maintenance from Red Hat. RHEL 10 targets enterprise deployments, ranging from small business servers to large cloud infrastructures.

Key goals of RHEL 10 include:

• Providing a stable and secure operating environment for enterprise applications.
• Enhancing system performance for high-demand workloads.
• Offering robust support for virtualization and containerized environments.
• Facilitating cloud deployment and hybrid architectures.

Core Components of RHEL 10

The architecture of RHEL 10 revolves around several core components that form the backbone of the operating system. These components work together to deliver a secure, reliable, and high-performance environment:

• Linux Kernel: The core of the operating system, responsible for hardware interaction, memory management, and process scheduling.
• System Libraries: Standard libraries that provide reusable code for applications and system utilities.
• System Tools: Utilities that manage system configuration, users, processes, and monitoring.
• User Interfaces: Includes CLI tools like Bash and GUI environments like GNOME for interactive operations.

These components ensure that RHEL 10 is highly modular, maintainable, and optimized for both performance and security. Each layer is designed to support enterprise-grade applications and cloud services efficiently.

Kernel Architecture in RHEL 10

The kernel is the core of any Linux system, and RHEL 10 features a monolithic kernel with modular support. This design allows loading and unloading of kernel modules dynamically without rebooting. The kernel handles critical system functions including process scheduling, memory management, device driver integration, and security enforcement.

Key aspects of RHEL 10 kernel architecture include:

• Process Management: Efficient multitasking and scheduling algorithms for optimal CPU utilization.
• Memory Management: Advanced handling of physical and virtual memory, caching, and swapping.
• Device Drivers: Supports a wide range of hardware devices ensuring broad compatibility.
• Security Modules: Integration with SELinux and other kernel security features to enforce strict access control.

Systemd and Service Management

Systemd is the default system and service manager in RHEL 10, replacing traditional init systems. It manages the startup process, dependencies, and services in a highly efficient manner. Systemd allows parallel service startup, reducing boot times and providing detailed logging capabilities via journalctl.

Benefits of using systemd in RHEL 10 include:

• Structured configuration through unit files for services, timers, and sockets.
• Dependency-based service management, ensuring correct order of service startup.
• Improved logging and diagnostics for system administrators.
• Ability to manage services interactively and automate service recovery.

Package Management with RPM and DNF

RHEL 10 uses the RPM Package Manager for packaging applications and DNF as the modern package management tool for installation, updates, and removal. This system provides dependency resolution, version tracking, and repository management.

Advantages of RPM and DNF include:

• Automatic dependency resolution to prevent broken installations.
• Support for multiple software repositories and modular streams.
• GPG signature verification for security and integrity of packages.
• Rollback capabilities to revert packages to previous versions if needed.

File System Architecture

RHEL 10 supports multiple modern file systems optimized for performance and reliability. The default XFS file system is ideal for large-scale enterprise deployments, while EXT4 provides a stable option for general use. RHEL 10 also integrates advanced storage management solutions like Stratis and VDO for better volume management and data efficiency.

Security Features and SELinux

RHEL 10 is built with enterprise-grade security in mind. SELinux enforces mandatory access controls, limiting the impact of potential breaches. Combined with firewalld, auditing tools like auditd, and cryptography standards, RHEL 10 ensures a hardened operating environment.

Other security features include:

• System-wide cryptography compliance with FIPS standards.
• Secure boot to prevent unauthorized kernel loading.
• Kernel-level security hardening and intrusion prevention.

Networking Architecture in RHEL 10

Networking in RHEL 10 is robust, flexible, and highly configurable using NetworkManager. Administrators can easily set up IPv4 and IPv6 networks, VLANs, bonding, bridges, and security zones. RHEL 10 also supports integration with cloud networks, making it ideal for hybrid and multi-cloud deployments.

Virtualization and Container Support

RHEL 10 provides strong support for virtualization via KVM and containerization using tools like Podman and Buildah. Users can deploy isolated workloads efficiently, making it suitable for testing, development, and production environments.

Benefits include:

• Seamless deployment of virtual machines and containers.
• Integration with Red Hat OpenShift for container orchestration.
• Resource isolation for secure multi-tenant environments.

Best Practices for Beginners

Beginners should follow these practices to get the most out of RHEL 10:

• Always update packages regularly using DNF.
• Keep SELinux in enforcing mode and review logs frequently.
• Use systemd commands to monitor and manage services effectively.
• Experiment with virtualization and containerization in a lab environment.
• Leverage built-in tools like firewalld and auditd to understand security configurations.

FAQ

What is RHEL 10?

RHEL 10 is the latest enterprise-grade Linux distribution from Red Hat, optimized for performance, security, and modern workloads.

What are the core components of RHEL 10?

The core components include the Linux kernel, system libraries, system tools, and user interfaces like Bash and GNOME.

What type of kernel does RHEL 10 use?

RHEL 10 uses a modular monolithic kernel that supports dynamic module loading and advanced process scheduling.

What is systemd?

Systemd is the service manager responsible for booting, managing system services, logging, and maintaining dependencies.

How does RHEL 10 handle package management?

RHEL 10 uses RPM for packaging and DNF for installation, updates, dependency resolution, and repository management.

Which file systems are supported in RHEL 10?

XFS, EXT4, Stratis, and VDO are supported for various performance, reliability, and storage optimization needs.

What is SELinux?

SELinux is a security module enforcing mandatory access controls to protect the system from unauthorized actions.

How does RHEL 10 manage networking?

It uses NetworkManager to configure networks dynamically, supporting IPv4, IPv6, VLANs, bonding, and bridging.

Does RHEL 10 support containers?

Yes, container tools like Podman and Buildah allow running isolated, containerized workloads efficiently.

What virtualization technology does RHEL 10 use?

KVM-based virtualization is supported, along with integration with OpenShift and cloud environments.

How can beginners get started with RHEL 10?

Install RHEL 10 in a virtual machine, explore systemd, SELinux, package management, and try small containerized applications.

Is RHEL 10 suitable for enterprise workloads?

Yes, it provides high performance, security, and scalability for enterprise applications and cloud infrastructure.

What improvements does RHEL 10 bring over RHEL 9?

Enhancements include better kernel performance, container support, system security, and integration with hybrid cloud environments.

Can I run RHEL 10 on cloud platforms?

Yes, it is compatible with AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and private cloud deployments.

What is the default file system in RHEL 10?

XFS is the default file system, ideal for enterprise-level storage and large datasets.

How is security maintained in RHEL 10?

Through SELinux, firewalld, secure boot, audit tools, and kernel-level security hardening.

What are unit files in systemd?

Unit files are structured configuration files defining services, timers, sockets, and mount points managed by systemd.

How can I update RHEL 10 packages?

Use the command dnf update to install the latest updates and security patches.

Does RHEL 10 support both CLI and GUI?

Yes, it provides the GNOME Desktop Environment for GUI operations and Bash shell for CLI management.

What is Stratis in RHEL 10?

Stratis is a storage management solution that simplifies volume creation, snapshots, and pool management.

What are the best practices for beginners using RHEL 10?

Regular updates, understanding systemd and SELinux, monitoring services, and experimenting with containers in a lab environment.