Patch management software has become more popular over recent years with businesses both large and small. Frequent fixes to the windows operating System fix security issues and sometimes add functionality to the programs. They have also gotten the consumer used to the fact that most programs require patches.
Most computer owners will permit windows to manage, download and update patches automatically, as they feel it is important. However that is a limited operating patch program and does not address all the needs of a business in terms of security updates and fixes. A business has much more at stake and usually many more potentially vulnerable programs than a normal computer. Prior to release of the new patch update programs businesses could spend a lot in employee labor ensuring that all programs were upgraded and updated.
However today there are multiple choices in programs for managing updates and patches automatically or semi automatically. Security of the company assets is a primary source of concern for many businesses and enabling the latest security fixes provides enhanced security and functionality to the programs. Although these patches are essential they can be time consuming in larger operations if patch software management is not used.
This type of software will utilize a console usually on a single machine of a network. That console can control what fixes or patches are scanned for and how the patches are deployed throughout the system. Included in these software consoles are options also specify which from which sites a patch should be downloaded. Some management software companies maintain their own database of patches and fixes.
A company with multiple machines may well have different purposes for each one and different programs installed as well. In that case the management software will scan each machine separately and apply the patches or fixes. Software to manage patches will usually intelligently apply only those patches necessary for the programs present on the machine.
One very common type of management program for patches is that of the agent based software. This solution employs an agent, or small program on each machine. The agent scans the machine and makes the necessary changes. When the changes and scan are complete the program reports the results to a central administrative machine.
Other types of management programs use a central machine as the controller. This central computer with a program on it scans each of the machines in the system applies the necessary system changes on the targeted computers in the network. This is known as agentless management in that the only requirement for the other machines is that they be connected to the network, instead of the internet as is required for agent based solutions. The agentless type of management software requires more direct supervision than the programs which reside on individual machines.
At one time, the labor was intensive to maintain security and upgrades on computers in large networks, the entry of patch management software has cut the costs considerably. Automatic management programs for the home computer user are widely accepted. Businesses and corporations on the other hand have wider considerations and the labor required, the amount of bandwidth used, and the security needs of the business should enter in to the decision of which type of automated software is best.
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