In this chapter we'll cover the following topics:
The need for effective patch management
Introduction to the patch management process
Preparing for patch management
The four-phase patch management process
Integrating SMS 2003 into patch management processes
Responding to emergencies
This chapter's contents are drawn from the patch management best practices documented by Microsoft in the Patch Management Using Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 Solution Accelerator, Microsoft Solutions for Management (MSM) 2.5, and the Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF), which provides operational guidance covering reliability, availability, supportability, and manageability of Microsoft products and technologies. For more information about MSM and MOF, see the Microsoft Solutions for Management (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/itsolutions/msm) and Microsoft Operations Framework (http://www.microsoft.com/mof) Web sites.