Updates and patching 3 – Monitoring and Management

Operating system updates are as follows:
• The importance of operating system updates: Operating system updates include security patches, bug fixes, and enhancements. They address vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.
• Patch management tools: Cloud providers offer tools to manage operating system updates. Here are some examples:
• AWS: AWS Systems Manager provides Patch Manager to automate patching
• Azure: Azure Update Management centrally manages operating system updates
• GCP: Google Compute Engine instances can use managed instance groups with rolling updates
• Testing: Before applying operating system updates to production, test them in a staging environment to ensure compatibility with your applications.
VM updates and patching are as follows:
• Software dependencies: Virtual machines often host various software applications. Updates should cover both the operating system and these applications to ensure security and functionality.
• Virtual machine image management: Create virtual machine images with the latest operating system updates and software configurations to streamline deployment.
• Automated updates: Most cloud providers offer automated operating system updates for virtual machine instances. This helps ensure security without manual intervention.
Here are some best practices:
• Regular review: Stay informed about operating system and software vendor updates through release notes, security advisories, and notifications.
• Segment updates: Prioritize updates based on their criticality. Apply critical security updates promptly and test non-critical updates before deployment.
• Backup and recovery: Always take virtual machine snapshots or backups before applying updates so that you have a recovery point in case of issues.
• Testing environment: Utilize testing environments to evaluate the impact of updates on your applications and configurations.
• Automation: Automate updates where possible to ensure consistency and timely application of patches.
Now, let’s consider some challenges:
• Compatibility: Updates may affect software dependencies or configurations. Test to avoid disruptions.
• Downtime: Some updates require virtual machine restarts, which can cause temporary service disruptions.
• Rollback planning: Have a plan to revert to previous states if updates cause unforeseen problems.
Managing updates and patching for operating systems and virtual machines is a fundamental practice in ensuring the security and reliability of your cloud infrastructure. By following best practices and leveraging the tools provided by your cloud provider, you can maintain a robust and up-to-date environment while minimizing potential risks.
Let’s discuss an example of applying a patch to a cloud component.
In Azure, you can apply patches to the operating system of your virtual machines using Azure Update Management. This service allows you to automate the patching process for your Azure virtual machines, ensuring they remain up to date and secure. Here’s how you can apply patches to the operating system in Azure:

1. Enable update management:
   • Go to the Azure portal (https://portal.azure.com/).
   • Navigate to the virtual machine you want to patch.
   • Under the Operations section, select Update management.
2. Create an update deployment:
   • In the Update management blade, click Schedule update deployment.
   • Configure the deployment settings:
   • Select the target VMs or VM groups.
   • Choose a patching schedule (one-time or recurring).
   • Set maintenance windows to control when patches are installed.
   • Define patch classifications and severity levels.
3. Review and deploy patches:
   • Review the settings and click Review + Create.
   • Once reviewed, click Create to start the deployment.
4. Monitor progress:
   • In the Update management blade, you can monitor the progress of the deployment.
   • You’ll see details about the status of patches being downloaded and installed.
5. Verify patching:
   • After the deployment is complete, you can verify the patching status by checking the update compliance report.
   Azure Update Management provides a centralized and automated way to manage patching across your Azure VMs. It helps streamline the patching process, ensures timely application of security updates, and provides visibility into the compliance status of your virtual machines. This approach helps you maintain a secure and up-to-date operating system environment without manual intervention.
   With this, we can conclude this chapter.