On Monday evening, we released Oracle Linux 6.8 to the Unbreakable Linux Network.  This release is the first ISO to incorporate Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel Release 4 (Quarterly Update 1) and includes several improvements and features.  You can download this update from yum.oracle.com or from the Oracle Software Delivery Cloud.  For more information regarding the release or for details on how to update your system, please review the release notes located here.

 This is a great time to remind users of the channel features available with Unbreakable Linux Network (ULN).  Here are a few tips:

  1. If you are subscribed to the _LATEST channel, you will receive all the latest updates, including update releases like Oracle Linux 6.8.  This ensures your system is always up to date with not only the latest update release but also critical bug and security errata.
  2. For more control over patches and updates, you can also subscribe to the _BASE and _PATCH channel for your respective release.  These channel stays locked to a given minor release.  For example, if you have standardized on Oracle Linux 6.7 across your data center and only want updates released during the 6.7 maintenance window – subscribe to these channels.  Once you are ready to move to Oracle Linux 6.8, simply subscribe to the 6.8 _BASE & _PATCH channels.  Keep in mind, once a later update release is available, all errata updates will move to the latest channel.  It is always recommended users stay up to date on errata to ensure systems remain secure.  For more information about ULN please refer to the ULN User Guide.
  3. Finally, remember if you are an Oracle Linux Premier Support customer you also have access to zero-downtime patching with Ksplice.  For more information, please review the Ksplice User guide.

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