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Linux Prepatching tasks

 Pre-patching tasks in a Linux environment are critical to ensuring a smooth and successful patching process. These tasks help in minimizing downtime, preventing issues during the patching, and ensuring the system's stability. Here’s a checklist of common pre-patching tasks you should perform:

1. Backup Critical Data

  • Full System Backup: Perform a full system backup, including configuration files, databases, and critical application data.
  • Verify Backup Integrity: Ensure that the backup is complete and can be restored if necessary.

2. Review Patch Notes

  • Understand the Patch: Review the release notes and documentation for the patches you plan to apply. Understand what is being updated and any potential impact on your system.
  • Check Dependencies: Verify that all dependencies for the patches are met, including hardware, software, and configuration requirements.

3. Check System Health

  • Disk Space: Ensure there is sufficient disk space available, especially on /var, /tmp, and /boot if you are applying kernel patches.
  • System Load: Check the system load to ensure it is not under heavy use. Patching during low-usage periods is advisable.
  • Logs: Review system logs (/var/log/messages, /var/log/syslog, etc.) for any existing errors or issues that might affect the patching process.

4. Verify System Configurations

  • Current Patch Level: Check the current patch level of the system to understand what patches have already been applied.
  • Service Status: Verify the status of critical services to ensure they are running as expected.
  • Network Configuration: Ensure network connectivity, especially if patches need to be downloaded from a repository or if remote access is required post-patching.

5. Plan for Downtime

  • Schedule Maintenance Window: Plan a maintenance window during off-peak hours to minimize the impact on users.
  • Notify Stakeholders: Inform all stakeholders about the planned downtime and expected impact on services.

6. Test Patch Installation in a Non-Production Environment

  • Staging Environment: If possible, test the patch installation in a staging environment that mirrors your production setup.
  • Verify Functionality: After applying the patch in the test environment, verify that all critical applications and services function as expected.

7. Snapshot Virtual Machines (if applicable)

  • Create VM Snapshots: If you are running the Linux system on a virtual machine, create a snapshot before applying patches. This allows you to quickly roll back in case of failure.

8. Document System State

  • List Running Processes: Document the current running processes and resource usage (ps aux, top).
  • Configuration Files: Backup important configuration files (e.g., /etc/, application configs).
  • Current Kernel Version: Note down the current kernel version (uname -r) if you are patching the kernel.

9. Prepare Rollback Plan

  • Rollback Procedures: Document the steps to roll back the patches if something goes wrong.
  • Validate Rollback: Ensure that the rollback procedures are tested and validated.

10. Disable Unnecessary Services

  • Stop Non-Critical Services: Temporarily stop non-critical services to reduce the risk of conflicts during patching.

11. Ensure Remote Access

  • Test SSH Access: Make sure you have a working SSH connection to the server in case you need to manage the patching remotely.
  • Console Access: Ensure you have console access in case the server becomes unresponsive over the network.

12. Verify Patch Repository and Access

  • Repository Access: Ensure that your system has access to the correct repositories where the patches are hosted.
  • Package Manager Update: Run an update command to make sure your package manager (yum, apt, etc.) is up-to-date.

13. Review Security Policies

  • Firewall Rules: Review and temporarily adjust firewall rules if needed to ensure that patching does not get blocked.
  • SELinux/AppArmor: Ensure that SELinux or AppArmor policies do not interfere with the patching process.

14. Check and Update Documentation

  • System Documentation: Update your documentation with the current system state, the planned patches, and the expected outcomes.

15. Pre-Patching Script Execution (if any)

  • Run Pre-Patch Scripts: Execute any pre-patching scripts or commands required by your organization or software vendors.

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