Module introductions: Update Module
The Update Module is all about patching your Solaris and Linux operating systems. It lets you see what patch levels you already have and what patches are available.
Its main function, though, is to launch patching jobs for the operating systems within your network. Like provisioning, updating can be targeted at the groups you created using the Gear Module.
The Update Module also gives you a lot of options when it comes to patch installation. You can specify what patches should and shouldn't be installed, what parts of the process should be automated, and when a patch job should ask for your input. Basically, it's designed so that you can automate it as much as you like.
This automation even allows you to schedule jobs so that they take place during service windows. Sun xVM Ops Center can perform the job, force reboots if necessary, and then send a notification that the job was successful. As with most Sun xVM Ops Center jobs, Update jobs can also be performed in parallel, which can really reduce downtime for large networks.
Keeping a variety of operating systems patched can easily be a pain the neck. There are always new patches, a lot of decisions to make about where to apply what patch, and a lot of grunt work. The Update Module takes on most of that work, leaving much less of a pain in the neck for you. It's like a chiropractor for your data center.
very cool. just to make sure I understand, the update module will patch at the OS leve, but not the application level? Is that right? If so, what's the roadmap for app-level patching or is that a different module? (sorry if I missed it)
Posted by Greg Wallace on March 08, 2008 at 11:52 AM MST #
Greg,
You're right; at the moment the Update Module patches only at the OS level. The one exception is applications that are part of an OS. (Solaris includes a number of applications.) They are patched along with the OS.
What kind of applications are you interested in patching? I can talk to our engineers and see what's in the pipeline.
Posted by Owen Allen on March 10, 2008 at 01:50 PM MDT #
thanks Owen.
I am involved with a related open source management project and I try to stay abreast of who's doing what in this space, since integration with patching/ provisioning is the number one request.
So, for example, my project, called NetDirector, will allow many as one config changes to be appied to things like Apache, BIND, Samba, NFS, DHCP, etc., running on Linux and Solaris. Mostly now it covers what are commonly referred to as network services, so these "apps" (AKA services) would be of most interest to me and my users.
What is the process for adding application patching into xVM Ops Center? Is it a plugin type thing?
Posted by Greg on March 10, 2008 at 03:59 PM MDT #