Hi guys, how do you guys update your kernel to the latest patches and fixes to fix all the bugs? I can't possibly download fixes n patches into my servers that are behind firewall. And i was told that those files cannot be transferred from one pc to the server. Is there a need to install fixes n pathces in linux? I am from AIX background and IBM will awlays advise whenever there is a need to update. I did some googling around on this ia64 and there seems to be a patch available to avoid kernel hang during CMC interrupt signal flooding. I am stuck as i do not know what patch it is and how do i install. What are the command to list what patches have been installed?

dont know hw u can fully update.. but yum will be used

Would help to know what linux distribution you are running, depending on what it is they use different update mechanisms

I don't know why you wouldn't be able to download them on a PC and transfer them to the server.. if the server is running SSH then you could use scp to copy them from your workstation to the server. Although doing that manually is a lot more work than using the update mechanisms built into most versions of Linux.

Building a local repository for patches for your servers might be an option..

awaiting further information..

I tried yum but it doesn't work, there is no such command on my Red Hat version 4. Is there a command to see what i have installed so far (patches/fixes)? But if to download patches that i want, what is the link and will it explain what these patches are for?

IF you have a RH license you can use up2date (yum was not standard until 5.0).

You can also go to Centos.org and it has instructions on how to use Centos repos via yum (it tells you how to install yum). Centos is RedHat EL with the logos removed.

doesn't up2date go to internet to both submit server details and also to download updates? I am not allowed to do that on my servers. I would prefer to download the patches or fixes myself and install them after i have sftped over.

No, it sees what is available and then downloads what it needs.