Solaris Recommended and Sun Alert Patch Clusters Descriptions and Differences
Lynne Thompson, June 2008
This article describes Solaris Recommended and Sun Alert Patch clusters. The differences between
the two types of patch clusters are also described.
What Is a Solaris Recommended or Sun Alert Patch Cluster?
Sun Alert and Solaris Recommended Patch Clusters are very much alike. The basic
difference is that the Sun Alert contains all key patches needed and provides
minimum change to the system.
The Sun Alert Patch cluster provides the minimum amount of change. Because risk
is minimized, use the Sun Alert Patch Cluster when minimal change is important
to your environment. The Sun Alert Patch cluster is more appropriate for
most customers because this cluster contains all the key patches but changes less
frequently.
Description:
A Solaris Sun Alert Patch Cluster provides the minimum change required to obtain the latest key bug fixes for the Solaris OS. These patch clusters are updated whenever a new patch that meets the cluster criteria is released. This patch cluster provides the least risk to your environment.
Even if you have the latest Solaris Update release installed, such as Solaris 10 5/08, patch clusters that address Sun Alert issues are newer than the latest release. For this reason, apply the patches in the Sun Alert Cluster to your system at the earliest convenience.
In the list of Patch Clusters, “Sun Alert” is part of the name as well as the operating system (OS) release and the architecture if the patch is for x86, for example, Solaris 10 Sun Alert Patch Cluster or Solaris 10 x86 Sun Alert Patch Cluster.
A Solaris Recommended Patch Cluster for a given operating system consolidates the current revisions of all of the patches required to address all of the patch-related Sun Alert notifications.
In the list of patch clusters, a “recommended” Patch Cluster name contains the OS version and the architecture if the patch is for x86, for example, Solaris 10, Solaris 10 x86, Solaris 9, Solaris 9 x86.
The term “Recommended” is a legacy name. At some point, this cluster will be merged with the Sun Alert Patch cluster. Although the name implies that this cluster is the “Recommended” Cluster, the Sun Alert Patch cluster provides the minimum amount of change.
Contents
Each Patch Cluster contains the following content for the relevant OS version and architecture:
The latest revision of the patch utilities patch, which is installed first to avoid known patching bugs that have been fixed.
Content differences restricted to the following:
The Sun Alert contains the minimum revision of any Solaris OS patch that fixes a Sun Alert issue which is a security, data corruption, or system availability issue.
The Recommended Patch Cluster contains latest revision of any Solaris OS patch that fixes a Sun Alert issue which is a security, data corruption, or system availability issue.
Any patch required by the new patch or Sun Alert.
Only Solaris OS patches. These clusters do not include patches for other software, such as Sun Cluster, Sun Studio, or Sun Java Enterprise System.
The patch cluster README file describes the cluster and includes key installation instructions that you must follow.
Each patch cluster includes a script to install the patches.
Accessing Patch Clusters
Patch Clusters that contain the most critical patches required by customers and a
script to install them are available from SunSolve. You must have a valid
support contract to access the Solaris patch clusters. The “Recommended Solaris Patch Clusters”
section on the SunSolve site contains a set of patches for various OS
and architecture combinations.
How to Access Patch Clusters
To access the patch clusters, log on to SunSolve and accept the license.
Find the section titled “Recommended Solaris Patch Clusters, J2SE and Java Enterprise System
Clusters.”
Scroll down the list of patch clusters to find the appropriate Sun Alert
or Solaris Recommended Patch Cluster.
The Solaris Recommended Patch Clusters do not include the term “recommended,” but are
simply named by the release and architecture, for example, Solaris 10, Solaris 10 x86, Solaris 9,
Solaris 9 x86.
Where to Find More Information About Patching
Table 1 Patching References
Description
Information
“Solaris Patch Management: Best Practices” helps clarify the patch management process.
The Solaris
Information Center - Patch hub provides many other documents, such as FAQs, procedures,
and general information about patching the Solaris OS, as well as links to
support.
With the Solaris 10 1/06 release, Sun
includes a new patch management tool, Sun Connection. This tool analyzes your system
and then applies the appropriate patches.
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