some questions about patch

[zhenglq]

Who can tell me a simple and complete measure to maintain the HP_UX system patch? Include system initial installation and daily maintenance.

By the way, i want to know :
1.What is the difference about QPK/HW/GR/HW patch bundle?
2.Is that bundle updated frequently ? Whether or not this patch bundle must be installed ?
3.Is that all patches in this bundel is unique? Can a patch included in some of this bundle ?
4.The correct sequence when I install this patch bunle after HP_UX installation?
5.In SUN solaris, if a patch is updated, it's patch number is rose.For example, from 105380-12 to 105380-13. In HP_UX , what inform me the patch is updated ? Or it has a differen mechanism ?
6.How can i get and install the new patches only? I don't want to install the old patches again and again?

Sorry for so many questions and thanks for your time.

Thanks.

[Steve Steel]

Hi


Go to www.docs.hp.com

Search this site
Patches

Lots of info


steve Steel

[Sanjay_6]

Hi,

Maybe this link can help,

http://www.software.hp.com/SUPPORT_PLUS/

Hope this helps.

Regds

[Corthouts Carlo]

1.What is the difference about QPK/HW/GR/HW patch bundle?

QPK = Quality pack
HW = Hardware enablement pb
GR = General release pb

2.Is that bundle updated frequently ? Whether or not
this patch bundle must be installed ?

The bundle is updated about every 3 months. March/June/Sept/Dec
It is not obligatory to install the bundle but installing a GR Patchbundle once or 2 times a year would prevent a lot of problems and include a lot of enhancements.

NOTE : Frequently check that patch bundle page on itrc if any patch becomes bad and what to do with it.

3.Is that all patches in this bundel is unique? Can a
patch included in some of this bundle ?

the bundles contain recommended patches and the patches in the bundle are not unique for that bundle some spawn several editions.

4.The correct sequence when I install this patch
bunle after HP_UX installation?

Best is to install latest patchbundle after installation and upgrade your patch level once or twice a year with another bundle

5.In SUN solaris, if a patch is updated, it's patch
number is rose.For example, from 105380-12 to
105380-13. In HP_UX , what inform me the patch is
updated ? Or it has a differen mechanism ?

Every patch at HP has a unique number. when a patch has been superseded you will be notified if you check the page of the patch installed on your system. It also mentions which is the most current version or number for that patch.


6.How can i get and install the new patches only? I
don't want to install the old patches again and again?

Only the newer patches and superseding patches will get installed on your system with the default parameters of swinstall. No worry about that. Installed patches won't get installed again if you don't have enabled the reinstall option which should be disabled at all times unless needed.

One recommendation is if your system is a very critical system, to get personnalized support contract with HP support who than will create specialized patchbundles for your system

[harry d brown jr]

I use the custom patch manager, because one, if I select it to be installed, HP will notify me when/if it is ever recalled, and two because it's easy to do.

live free or die
harry

[Rita C Workman]

Patches...well that is the question..to patch or not to patch, there are actually differing views.
My view...if you MUST patch, then patch. But only if you must.

1-3.Patches come out quarterly.
You get hardware and software patches (HW=hardware; GR=general release and so forth), and the question as to if you must install...is up to you and your system. Some folks install every quarter..others only install when they need something.
4.The sequence after a cold install would be to get your system up, finish setting your config files (netconf,nfsconf,inetd.conf, etc..). Then I might load my system software..(OnlineJFS, JetAdmin, etc.) then I would load my patches...then my third party software.
5.HPUX does not add new extension numbers to patches..each patch has it's own identifier PHKL=kernel patch; PHSS=software patches; PHNE=network; PHCO=command line, with a unique number associated. When you go to load the patches it will identify some issues..like you need a dependent patch in addition to the one your loading...Best way is to check on a patch at the patch site for details:
http://us-support3.external.hp.com/common/bin/doc.pl/sid=f6a4569f12b8dab7b0
The more familiar you get using the site, the more helpful for you.
6.How to get- check the site above..you can download from there or ftp ftp.hp.com and download patches there.
You can also request the quarterly patch CD's via mail or from HP. Check w/your HP rep to make sure your set up for online requesting of CD's.
6a...To load from a CD..just install CD; run swinstall; mark the patches..Analyze & install. To load individual patches-you can download the patch..then you shar the patch to open it, copy the .depot file produced to a patch depot area and run swinstall from that depot. Sounds hard but it isn't-repost for specific on doing this..

Patching can be confusing and intimidating at first. But just take it one step at a time, and you'll begin to feel comfortable.

Rgrds,
Rita

[eran maor]

Hi

i will try to answer all your que.

QPK:

QPK is the defect-fix patch bundle for both servers and workstations
QPK contains ALL core defect fix patches that pass testing
QPK includes mainly level 3 patches; level 3 patches are >80% less likely to be recalled. High risk patches are required to go through more testing; we want to help improve the quality of ALL HP-UX patches
For 11i there are 2 bundles (in a single depot) for the QPK:
A base bundle contains all core defect fix patches (bundle tag is GOLDBASE11i)
An application bundle contains all OE application defect fix patches (bundle tag is GOLDAPPS11)
For 11i, you will also see the QPK referred to as GQP
Since 11.00 does not have OEs, there is only one bundle (equivalent to the 11i base bundle, bundle tag is QPK1100) in the QPK depot


HWE
HWE contains patches to enable all hardware ??? new systems, I/O cards, devices, etc.
HWE no longer contains critical defect fix patches as these patches are all in the QPK; HWE is now more focused
Customers who only want to enable new hardware have a small, focused bundle to work with HWE

GR :

this is for hp-ux 11.00 and lower .
contect all software patches needed to be install on the system .

HW : this is for hp-ux 11.00 amd lower :
patches for fix hardware issue .


i will explen you you i think you shuold do :

on hp-ux 11.X inatall the QPK and the HWE
on 10.20 install the HW and GR .


this pack of patches come with the support plus cd and you are getting a new version of this disk every 3 month .

you dont need to do a installevery 3 month of this patch but only on a new computer .

my advise is to use the CPM , frew the itrc that will update your patch level .

i will explen the CPM :

you can do your own patch manag. frew the itrc .

The custom patch manager generates a Candidate Patch list from which you may choose the patches you would like to install
Furthermore it will give you the opportunity to run an analysis to check your system for conflicts and dependencies between the patches of your system and the selected patch list


about knowing if a patch is a replace of a other patch - sorry - there isnt a way to know it bedise get inside the txt of the patch and see over there the what patch is replace

Eran Maor
i hope that i answer all your que.

[Krishna Prasad]

As mentioned by Corthouts
1. QPK = Quality pack
HW = Hardware GR = General release
2. Yes the bundles are updated frequently, but keep in mind there are plently of patches that your system will probably need that will not be on the patch bundle. You may want to create some of your own software/patch depots for patches that are not in the HP patch bundles.
3. The patches inside the bundle are uniq and can be applied individually.
4. When you run swinstall to install the patch bundle it will take care of all dependencies for you, and make sure that the patches applied will be installed in the correct order.
However, it is always wise to backup your system first and to test the patches on a test system first.
5. The patches are some what of random numbers and when they get superseded it can be any number. However, when you go to www.itrc.hp.com and go to patches/individual patches it will list dependencies and superseded/best available patches. The one thing that is consist is PHKL = kernel patches and will cause reboots, PHNE = network patches, PHSS = software patch or utility patch, PHCO = core operating system patch.
6. swinstall will exclude patches and software allready applied to the system unless you change the default options. The normal behavior is not to re-install.