1. Patch Management
Module 13

2. Importance
Over time, your VMware vSphere™ environment might undergo change in its hardware or software configuration, or in the form of software updates or patches. From a manageability and scalability perspective, you should implement changes to your vSphere environment in an orderly, controlled, and systematic fashion.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

3. Module Objectives Describe VMware vCenter™ Update Manager
List the steps to install Update Manager
Use Update Manager:
Create and attach a baseline
Scan an inventory object
Remediate an inventory object
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

4. Update Manager
Update Manager enables centralized, automated patch and version management for VMware® ESX™/ESXi hosts, virtual machines, and virtual appliances.
Update Manager reduces security risks.
Keeping systems up to date reduces the number of vulnerabilities.
Many security breaches exploit older vulnerabilities.
Reducing the diversity of systems in an environment:
Makes management easier
Reduces security risks
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

5. Update Manager Capabilities
Automated patch downloading:
Begins with information-only downloading
Is scheduled at regular configurable intervals
Contacts the following sources:
For ESX/ESXi patching:
For Windows and Linux virtual machines and applications:
For third-party patches: URL of third-party source
Creation of baselines and baseline groups
Scanning:
Inventory systems are scanned for baseline compliance.
Remediation:
Inventory systems that are not current can be automatically patched.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

6. Update Manager Components
vCenter Server system
database server
hosts
Update Manager agents are installed into virtual machines. A A A A A A A A A
vCenter Server
database
optional download server
patch
database
patch
database
VMware vSphere Client with Update Manager plug-in
Update Manager server
Internet
VMware patch source
Shavlik patch source
third-party patch source
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

7. Installing Update Manager
Update Manager must be installed on a 64-bit machine.
To install, start the VMware vCenter Installer and click vCenter Update Manager.
Information needed during the installation:
vCenter Server host name, user name, and password
Choice of database: use default or existing database
Update Manager port settings:
Host name, ports, proxy settings (if necessary)
Destination folder and location for downloading patches
To install the Update Manager client:
Install the Update Manager Extension plug-in into the vSphere Client.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

8. Configuring Update Manager Settings
By default, all patch sources are enabled. Add third-party patch sources if necessary.
Modify Update Manager configuration properties.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

9. Baseline and Baseline Groups
A baseline consists of one or more patches, extensions, or upgrades.
There are five types of baselines:
Host patch
Host extension
Host upgrade
Virtual machine patch
Virtual appliance upgrade
Update Manager includes a number of default baselines.
A baseline group consists of multiple baselines:
Can contain one upgrade baseline per type and one or more patch and extension baselines
example of default baselines for hosts
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

10. A host patch is added to this baseline.
Creating a Baseline
To create a baseline:
Click Create.
Specify name and description.
Choose a baseline type.
For a patch baseline, select a patch option: Fixed or Dynamic.
Select patches to add to the baseline.
A host patch is added to this baseline.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

11. Attaching a Baseline
To view compliance information and remediate inventory objects, first attach a baseline or baseline group to an object.
For improved efficiency, attach a baseline to a container object instead of to an individual object.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

12. Scanning for Updates
Scanning evaluates the inventory object against the baseline or baseline group.
A scan can be performed manually or automatically, using a scheduled task.
scheduled scan
manual scan
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

13. Viewing Compliancy
In this example, the scan found two noncompliant hosts.
After the scan, a host object can be staged and then remediated.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

14. Remediating Objects
You can remediate virtual machines, templates, virtual appliances, and hosts.
You can perform the remediation immediately or schedule it for a later date.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

15. Remediation Options for a Cluster
When remediating hosts in a cluster, you must temporarily disable certain cluster features: VMware DPM, VMware HA, FT.
You can generate a report that identifies problems before remediation occurs.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

16. Patch Recall Notification
At regular intervals, Update Manager contacts VMware to download notifications about patch recalls, new fixes, and alerts.
Notification Check Schedule is selected by default.
On receiving patch recall notifications, Update Manager:
Generates a notification in the notification tab
No longer applies the recalled patch to any host:
Patch is flagged as recalled in the database.
Deletes the patch binaries from its patch repository
Does not uninstall recalled patches from ESX hosts:
Instead, it waits for a newer patch and applies that to make a host compliant.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

17. Remediation Enabled for DRS
Eliminate downtime for virtual machines when patching ESX/ESXi hosts:
Update Manager puts host in maintenance mode.
DRS moves virtual machines to available host.
Update Manager patches host and then exits maintenance mode.
DRS moves virtual machines back per rule.
UM + DRS
maintenance mode !
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

18. Lab 27
In this lab, you will install, configure, and use Update Manager.
Install Update Manager.
Modify cluster settings.
Install and enable the Update Manager plug-in.
Configure Update Manager.
Create a patch baseline.
Attach a baseline and scan for updates.
Stage patches and remediate ESXi hosts.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A 18

19. Module Summary Describe Update Manager
List the steps to install Update Manager
Use Update Manager:
Create and attach a baseline
Scan an inventory object
Remediate an inventory object
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

20. Key Points
Update Manager patches and updates ESX/ESXi hosts, virtual machines, templates, and virtual appliances.
Update Manager reduces security vulnerabilities by keeping systems up to date and by reducing the diversity of systems in an environment.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A