how to update critical patches on multiple linux servers

patcheezy · 05-13-2009, 01:02 PM

Windows has wsus (Windows Server Update Services) which allows patches to be deployed to multiple linux servers does linux have somethine like that? We have probably 40 linux servers that we would like to update and it will be time consuming logging into each server to do updates. Any suggestions?

farslayer · 05-13-2009, 01:23 PM

puppet

cssh

zenworks

BigFix

The built in package management tools for your distro... and a centralized local repository of updates you wish to deploy

Search the forums here for more options.. This is a common question.

lazlow · 05-13-2009, 06:38 PM

Assuming a RH based distro you could also create a local repo (createrepo package) and leave the automatic updates turned on (to that repo).

jstephens84 · 05-13-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patcheezy

Windows has wsus (Windows Server Update Services) which allows patches to be deployed to multiple linux servers does linux have somethine like that? We have probably 40 linux servers that we would like to update and it will be time consuming logging into each server to do updates. Any suggestions?

There are a couple of ways you can do this. But as mentioned the best way would be to use the systems package management system.

One way would be to create a central server that would at night push the updates to the servers using rsync then have a cron job install the updates.

Or you could do something similar above but use an ftp server and have the servers pull updates from the ftp server. then install the updates.

Course rsync would be a log better in my opinion.

Tinkster · 05-13-2009, 09:12 PM

And of course (again for RedHat systems) is spacewalk (and the commercially
supported & pay-for sibling satellite)....

Cheers,
Tink

syg00 · 05-13-2009, 09:53 PM

The things you learn - thanks Tink