How to Manage Redhat Enterprise Linux 4 updates in CA Patch Manager?
Article ID: 50478
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Description:
This document is an implementation guide to installing Redhat Enterprise Linux 4 updates through CA Patch Manager.
Solution:
Terminology
Common Terminology used in RHEL 4 patching.
RHEL/Redhat Enterprise Linux - It is a Linux distribution produced by Red Hat and targeted toward the commercial market, including mainframes. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is released in server versions for x86, x86-64, Itanium, PowerPC and IBM System z, and desktop versions for x86 and x86-64. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is often abbreviated to RHEL, although this is not an official designation.
Update - Red Hat Enterprise Linux updates also known as minor release, are an aggregation of individual enhancement, security and bug fix errata.
Errata - Messages that contain the most recent information about updates, fixes, and corrections for a particular piece of software distributed by a vendor. View and access Red Hat Linux errata at http://www.redhat.com/errata/. Redhat errata consist of security updates, bug fixes and enhancements.
RHN - Red Hat Network is a powerful and flexible tool for the administration of large-scale networks of Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems-but it's also well-suited for the simplest system administration tasks as well.
RHEL 4 AS and ES - RHEL 4 has four variants. AS also known as Advanced Server is for for mission-critical/enterprise computer systems. ES also known as Enterprise Server is for supported network servers
Samba service: Samba is the standard Windows interoperability suite of programs for Linux and Unix. Samba is used to share file and print services on a windows machine with a Linux/Unix server
Supported OS Release and Architecture
CA Patch Manager Packages for Redhat Enterprise Linux v4 supports the following OS releases and process architecture.
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES (v. 4 for 32/64-bit x86)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS (v. 4 for 32/64-bit x86)
To know more about the Redhat Enterprise Linux Life cycle, visit the following link
https://access.redhat.com/support/policy/updates/errata/
Supported content
Redhat Enterprise Linux 4 AS/ES 32 bit and 64 bit Update 5/6/7/8. Red Hat Enterprise Linux updates (minor releases) are an aggregation of individual enhancement, security and bug fix errata. The release cycle for Red Hat Enterprise Linux updates (minor releases) is random but it has been observed that the Red Hat Enterprise Linux update releases generally happen every 8-10 months.
Prerequisites
There are three prerequisites for deploying the 'CA - RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 AS/ES Update "X" 32/64bit x86' package.
- 'CA - RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 AS/ES Update "X" 32/64bit x86' package uses "Internal -NOS" software delivery method to deliver the package to the agents, which in turn uses the samba service. Below document illustrates the way to use the Internal - NOS
https://support.ca.com/irj/portal/anonymous/redirArticles?reqPage=search&searchID=TEC542091 - Manually download the required DVD from the vendor site and place it in the folder specified in the release notes.
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Note: File and folder names are case-sensitive across the platforms. Please create the folder structure in UPPER CASE characters only.
Note: Deployment of 'CA - RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 AS/ES Update "X" 32/64bit x86' package internally uses samba.
Implementation
The following section illustrates the deployment steps for the actual update patch 'CA - RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 ES Update 6 64bit x64'.
- Accept and deploy the required package 'CA - RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 ES Update 6 64bit x64'.
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- Required packages will be installed to update the OS to Redhat Enterprise Linux 4 ES update 6 using the DVD copied in the scalability server. You can view the specific job output from the deployment job created in Software Delivery in ITCM.
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- Upon successful installation, the patch signature should be detected under Software Discovery for the specific Linux agent.
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Installation Flow (Flow Chart)
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FAQ
Q: What is RHEL?
A: It is a Linux distribution produced by Red Hat and targeted toward the commercial market, including mainframes. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is released in server versions for x86, x86-64, Itanium, PowerPC and IBM System z, and desktop versions for x86 and x86-64. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is often abbreviated to RHEL, although this is not an official designation.
Q: How do I download the RHEL update X DVD?
A: Access the https links in the release notes of CA - RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 AS/ES Update x 32/64bit x86 Prerequisites' package. Enter the RHN credentials and download the DVD.
Q: What is the release cycle for RHEL 4 updates?
A: The release cycle for Red Hat Enterprise Linux updates (minor releases) is random but it has been observed that the Red Hat Enterprise Linux update releases generally happen every 8-10 months.
Q: Are there any perquisites for CA Patch Manager In order to deploy a 'CA - RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 AS/ES Update x 32/64bit x86 ' package?
A: Yes.
- The software delivery method should be set to Internal NOS.
- DVD should be download and place it in a certain folder specified in the release notes.
Q: Are the kernel packages also included in the 'CA - RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 AS/ES Update x 32/64bit x86' packages.
A. No. AS the kernel is the most important component of the OS, and installaing a kernel package needs special procedure and customization depending on the implementation. Kernel has been excluded from the update.
Q. What is the command to check the RHEL update information?
A. cat /etc/redhat-release
Q. What are the detailed logs to check the RHEL update through CA Patch Manager?
A: /var/log/up2date
Q. Does a reboot occur after the deployment of 'CA - RedHat Enterprise Linux 4 AS/ES Update x 32/64bit x86' package?
A: As the reboot after the update deployment is not mandatory, reboot is not included in the deployment procedure.
Reference links
Redhat Enterprise Linux
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Hat_Enterprise_Linux
Redhat Network
Redhat Enterprise Linux Life cycle
https://access.redhat.com/support/policy/updates/errata/Environment
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