I had to install libtool before I was able to build openssh-2.5.2p2-1.7.2 from the SRPM on my 6.2 system. I think there should be a BuildPrereq in the spec file.
Please note that libtool is one of the "standard" devel packages that are needed by a few apps.
pekkas is correct; the libtool package (along with gcc, make, glibc-devel, etc.) are considered to be part of the development tool set used for building RPM packages, particularly libtool, which is used in the current incarnation of the %configure macro used in many packages. Adding the base development package set as BuildPreReqs to each package in the distribution doesn't scale well, and is probably best avoided.
For how long has libtool been part of the standard set? I'm certain I requested the standard development tools when I installed my 6.2 system, which tells me that either it wasn't part of the standard set in the recent past, or something was wrong with my installation (possible but unlikely). So is it acceptable for a clean 'development' 6.2 system to be unable to build newer source rpms?
Libtool was added in RHL62, was also in Development class. It wasn't there in RHL61. (This can be seen by checking RedHat/base/comps file).
Ok. My memory of my system's history is becoming clearer. I started with 6.1 and upgraded to 6.2 libtool was not installed as part of the normal upgrade. The problem, if there is one, is really outside the scope of openssh. Should redhat consider it a problem that upgraded systems may lack 'standard' components, e.g., libtool. I think the answer is yes, but I won't belabor it any more. Should individual rpms provide workarounds where possible for this deficiency in the redhat upgrade process? I don't know. There are arguments either way. Thanks for your time.