Patch management is an area of systems management that involves acquiring, testing, and installing multiple patches (code changes) to an administered computer system. Patch management tasks include: maintaining current knowledge of available patches, deciding what patches are appropriate for particular systems, ensuring that patches are installed properly, testing systems after installation, and documenting all associated procedures, such as specific configurations required. A number of products are available to automate patch management tasks, including RingMaster's Automated Patch Management, PatchLink Update, and Gibraltar's Everguard.
Like its real world counterpart, a patch is a "make-do" fix rather than an elegant solution. Patches are sometimes ineffective, and can sometimes cause more problems than they fix. Patch management experts, such as Mark Allen, CTO of Gibraltar Software, suggest that system administrators take simple steps to avoid problems, such as performing backups and testing patches on non-critical systems prior to installations.
Patch management can be viewed as part of change management.
This was last updated in September 2005
Email Alerts
Register now to receive SearchEnterpriseDesktop.com-related news, tips and more, delivered to your inbox.
By submitting you agree to receive email from TechTarget and its partners. If you reside outside of the United States, you consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States.
Privacy
More News and Tutorials
-
SearchEnterpriseDesktop.com’s tutorials provide IT professionals with the latest information on implementing, managing and securing Microsoft Windows desktops including Windows Vista, Windows XP, desktop security, desktop virtualization, terminal services, application streaming, software as a service and more.
-
Microsoft's User State Migration Tool does have limitations. See what it can and can't do.
-
Now that Microsoft has stopped selling Windows XP, many companies are considering whether or not to upgrade to Windows Vista. While Vista is not without its problems, many of the operating system's migration horror stories are exaggerated. Several problems can be avoided simply by following a few best practices throughout the migration process.
-
Articles
-
Resources from around the Web
