Linux Patching Automation

Problem Overview

Manually managing Linux patches for a fleet of endpoints can become a daunting task, especially when dealing with multiple distributions and diverse package managers. Tools like Ansible, Chef, or Puppet often require extensive setup, complicated coding, and complex configurations to keep everything running smoothly. This Linux Patching Automation provides a simpler, GUI-based approach that unifies patching—letting you handle everything in one place without writing or maintaining scripts.

Description

Linux Patching Automation leverages Level’s native actions to apply updates via apt or yum, including supported third-party applications like Docker or Nginx. You can schedule patches in advance or trigger them on demand, making it easy to keep your systems current. If an update fails, the Automation automatically retries twice. Should it fail again, an alert notifies you so that you can take immediate corrective steps. By centralizing Linux patching into a single, easy-to-use workflow, you save time, reduce overhead, and maintain stronger security across your environment.

Preview

Use Cases

• Centralized OS Patching: Keep Debian, Ubuntu, RHEL, CentOS, and Fedora systems up to date from one interface.
• Third-Party App Updates: Automate patching of common packages without the hassle of manual scripts.
• Minimal Manual Intervention: Eliminate the need for recurring SSH sessions or complicated Chef/Puppet/Ansible playbooks.
• Immediate Alerting: Receive an automated alert if a patch fails repeatedly, enabling faster troubleshooting.
• Flexible Scheduling: Set up a routine patch window or run the updates on demand as your workflow dictates.

Recommendations

• Set Up Scheduling: Review your existing maintenance windows and decide on a weekly or monthly update schedule that minimizes user disruption.
• Adjust Patch Categories: After importing, specify which Linux Updates Categories you want to include or exclude for better control.
• Start Small: Implement the Automation on a test group of endpoints first, then expand to your broader environment after confirming success.
• Monitor Alerts: Keep an eye on notifications for any patch failures—so you can address issues promptly.

FAQ

• Does this Automation replace Ansible, Chef, or Puppet entirely?‍
  Absolutely. While Chef, Ansible, and Puppet excel at advanced configuration management and require coding or heavy scripting, an RMM can achieve similar functionality through a GUI-based approach. This particular Automation focuses on patching, but with Automations, Monitors, and Scripts, you can replicate much of the functionality found in traditional config management tools—without the steep learning curve.

• Which Linux distributions are supported?
  ‍Any APT or YUM based distribution.

• Do I need scripting skills?
  ‍Not at all. The Automation uses Level’s built-in actions, so there’s no custom code to maintain.

• What happens if a patch fails to install?
  ‍The Automation retries multiple times. If the last attempt also fails, you’ll receive an alert to investigate further.

• Are reboots handled automatically?
  ‍No. You’ll need to plan reboots separately, likely through another Automation or another internal procedure.