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.
Software for managing patches is available for the business, which has two computers, or for the corporation with a large network and multiple machines. In both cases security and protecting company assets is a prime concern. The latest security patches are essential, and software to manage them can ease the task while still providing the latest security fixes and updates on each machine.
These programs usually have a special console and it may well be located on a single master machine on the network. The master console can determine which programs should be patched and which should be overlooked. The user can also determine from which website a patch should be downloaded.
Not every machine on a large network will have identical software installed. These machines all may be used for different purposes and this influences what programs are installed. Patch management programs for businesses are able to scan each machine and identify what programs are present and may need patches as opposed to simply applying a set number of fixes or patches to all machines regardless of content.
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.
Agentless management programs on the other hand are centralized. The main machine performs all the scans upon the network and initiates the actions to patch. While agentless software is certainly more centrally configurable and permits closer monitoring of network machines than an agent based option. The cost for these programs will be higher than that of the agent based solutions. They also will require more supervision than those with agents.
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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