Q&A Monday: How often should I update my Linux Servers?
Question:
I have recently become responsible for more servers at my current job, some of these servers are of the RedHat and Debian flavor of linux, and I was wondering what is the recommended period of time between checking for updates on these servers?
Catina P. Martin
Mira Loma, CA
Answer:
To be honest, it all depends on how comfortable you are with the servers and how critical they are to your organization. In a multi-server Linux environment if you have servers that are less critical, updates those first and then move onto the more critical servers. As for how often, I wouldn’t push past a month between updates (then you can do them with your Windows Boxes). If the staggering amount of updates on the boxes make you nervous, then move to twice a month, and if even that’s unmanageable for you, then move to weekly. Weekly will give you less updates, and less to comb through if a particular update gives you problems. Plus the sooner you get patches and apply them, the more secure your server could be.
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If you have any questions that you want Jim to answer, from business servers to home computers, drop him a line at me@jimguckin.com, and he’ll try to answer your question. Check back every Monday for a new Question and Answer session, and during the rest of the week for his other technical insights.