Red Hat Announces Red Hat Linux 7.1 For Itanium Processor

Red Hat Linux 7.1 Supports 64-bit Architecture, Offers Increased Scalability and Flexibility for the Enterprise

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.—May 29, 2001—Red Hat, Inc. (Nasdaq: RHAT), the leader in developing, deploying and managing open source solutions, announced today the availability of Red Hat Linux 7.1 for the ItaniumTM Processor.

Red Hat Linux 7.1 for the Itanium Processor features the Red Hat Linux 7.1 operating system with the new 2.4 kernel. This configuration supports the very large address space of Itanium-based systems and scales efficiently to eight or more Itanium processors running as a single system image. New configuration tools and security enhancements are also available in this new release from Red Hat.

Red Hat Linux 7.1 for the Itanium Processor is designed for developing and porting applications that require superior performance on high-end servers and workstations. This release is equally suited to porting 32-bit applications or RISC applications to Itanium-based systems, as well as developing new applications for Itanium-based processor systems that are designed for superior performance on high-end servers and workstations for mission-critical reliability.

Intel recognized very early that Linux was going to be a very important operating system in the future, and we are pleased that they chose to work with Red Hat as a strategic technology developer. Red Hat Linux 7.1 for the Itanium Processor will enable the enterprise and technical computing communities to take full advantage of Intel's new technology running on the industry's standard Linux platform," said Michael Tiemann, CTO, Red Hat.

"With the release of Red Hat Linux 7.1 for the Itanium Processor, developers should be confident that the technology, support and leadership is in place to successfully develop, deploy and manage 64-bit Linux applications and services,"" said Victor Krutul, Linux Technology Mgr, Intel Corporation.

New Features and Benefits of Red Hat Linux 7.1 for the Itanium Processor

Red Hat Linux 7.1 for the Itanium Processor will be available for download and from hardware partners in the coming weeks. For more information on Red Hat Linux 7.1 for the Itanium Processor, please visit http://www.redhat.com/products/software/linux/7-1_itanium.html.

About Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat is the leader in developing, deploying and managing solutions built on the benefits of an open source platform. These solutions include an open source product platform for devices to mainframes, a complete end to end set of Professional Services, and the Red Hat Network as the Internet-based backbone for deployment and management of the products and services. Red Hat's open source platform includes the award-winning Red Hat Linux operating system platform, the Interchange e-Commerce platform, Stronghold Secure Web Server, Credit Card Verification software, High Availability Server, GNU-based developer toolkit for embedded development, and embedded run-time Linux, eCOS, and RedBoot solutions.

Red Hat backs up their open source offerings with end-to-end services that include Red Hat Professional Consulting focused on multiplatfom infrastructure and engineering services, Red Hat Engineering services for software development and porting of the operating system and for embedded platforms and devices, Red Hat Enterprise support services for installation services and web and telephone support, and Red Hat Learning services for Linux certification (RHCE) and courses for Apache, Embedded systems, Advanced Developer, and e-Commerce. Red Hat Network provides Red Hat's unique managed services capability to deploy and manage open source products, services, support and management information on-line in real-time to more cost effectively and reliably maintain open source based solutions.

Red Hat is headquartered in Research Triangle Park, N.C. and has offices worldwide. Please visit Red Hat on the Web at http://www.redhat.com/index.html. For investor inquiries, contact Gabriel Szulik at Red Hat, 919-547-0012.

Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release that are not strictly historical statements, including, without limitation, management's plans and objectives for future operations, and management's assessment of market factors, constitute forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, reliance upon strategic relationships, management of growth, the possibility of undetected software errors, the risks of economic downturns generally, and in Red Hat's industry specifically, the risks associated with competition and competitive pricing pressures, the viability of the Internet, and other risks detailed in Red Hat's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which may be accessed through the SEC's Web site at http://www.sec.gov/.

LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. RED HAT is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.