Description of problem: Older versions of sos do not include the batch option. Adding this dependency to the test suite will bring up this issue on 5.0,5.1, and 5.2 certification at the start instead of during testing. Such that the sos errata can be installed. Additional info: The exception of installing the sos errata is already approved for 5.0, 5.1, and 5.2 certifications. Details are discussed in BZ#997680.
Some additional notes on the problem, and solution. Older versions of sos do not support the --batch option, which hwcert-client needs to gather hardware information in the info test. The solution is for the hwcert-client package to require newer versions of sos (sos-1.7-9.27.el5 and later) which provide the --batch option. That way, when users install hwcert-client it will indicate that the later versions must be installed.
Since the problem described in this bug report should be resolved in a recent advisory, it has been closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For information on the advisory, and where to find the updated files, follow the link below. If the solution does not work for you, open a new bug report. http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2013-1413.html