1. Patch Management
In Solaris and Red Hat

2. What is a Patch
A collection of fixes to a problem
Three main categories:
Security
 Bugs in the system that provide unauthorized
access (rlogin)
Functionality
 Data integrity, reliability (cron)
Performance
 Excessive use of system resources

3. Patch Management
The process of determining if a system
has the most appropriate software
installed.
Where do patches come from?
Operating System vendors
Application distributors
 Third party software

4. Patch Management
A three step process:
Discovery
Determination
Installation

5. Discovery
Online resources & Vendor tools
Solaris
 SunSolve & Newsletters
 Solaris Patch Manager Tool
 Sun Patch Check
Red Hat
 Red Hat Network & Alert Notification Tool
 RPM
 Red Hat Update Agent

6. SunSolve

8. Red Hat Network

10. Determination
Comparing what is on your machine to
what is available
Level of importance
Solaris
Solaris Patch Manager Tool
Patch Check
PatchDiag
Sun Management Center

11. Determination (cont’d)
Solaris (cont’d)
Solaris Live Upgrade
Solaris Flash Technology
Red Hat
Red Hat Update Agent
Red Hat Network
Red Hat Network Alert Notification Tool

12. Installation
Automated
Solaris: Solaris Patch Manager, Sun
Management Center, Solaris Live Update
Red Hat: Red Hat Update Agent, Red Hat
Network, Red Hat Network Alert
Notification Tool
Manual
Solaris: patchadd
Red Hat: rpm

13. PM Strategies
Patch Management Process
Determine which patches to install
Find any patch dependencies
Remove old version of patch
Install patch and dependencies

14. PM - Solaris
Solaris
Monitor newsletters and website regularly
Four Types of patches:
 Solaris Updates
 Maintenance Updates
 Alert Patches
 Advisory Patches

15. PM - Solaris
Three tiered approach:
Install Solaris and Maintenance Updates
Install Alert Patches
Install patches on a per-issue basis
Patch Installation Process
Test -> Development -> Production
Automation
Solaris Patch Manager Tool

16. PM – Red Hat
Red Hat
Monitor system status on Red Hat Network
Add channels as needed
Utilize Red Hat Network Alert Notification
Tool
Automation
Red Hat Update Agent