First Microsoft announced it was ending pay-as-you-go upgrades, then Apple instituted a similar program. Now, RedHat, makers of one of the most popular versions of the Linux operating system, is planning to follow the leaders by limiting support to their Enterprise version of Linux and discontinuing support for their free versions. The result? An estimated 700 employees running Linux on their desktop systems could find themselves paying $175 a year to ensure they have the most current, robust and secure version of Linux. The cost to the Lab goes even higher when you consider that Linux clusters around the Lab are collectively running the software on another 700 processors.

There will still be a free version of Red Hat, but it is now managed by the community Fedora project and the goals will be to incorporate the latest, but not necessarily stable, changes to the Linux system.

Users who opt for the free, unsupported version will not have access to RedHat support. In addition, security patches and updates will only be available for one year from the date of release. For everyone, security patches are always a concern– this week RedHat sent out eight bulletins about vulnerabilities in four of its products.

The Lab is currently looking into several options, including a site license that would lower the cost somewhat. Another option is to join forces with Linux users at other DOE labs and apply the bargaining power of 22,000 users to try to swing a larger discount.

The Information Technologies and Services Division has asked members of the Computing and Communications Services Advisory Committee to poll Linux users in their respective divisions to gauge the extent of usage and interest in the issue.