Table of Contents
A patch is a collection of files and directories that replaces or updates existing files and directories that are preventing proper execution of the existing software. The existing software is derived from a specified package format, which conforms to the Application Binary Interface (ABI). For details about packages, see Chapter 16, Managing Software (Overview).
An update is a change that you apply to software that corrects an existing problem or that introduces a feature. An update is also the steps that you perform to apply updates to a system.
The terms patch and update are used interchangeably in this book.
You can manage patches on your Solaris system by using the Sun Update Connection, System Edition software, the Patch Manager 2.0 software, or by using the patchadd command.
The Sun Update Connection, System Edition software has the same functionality as the Sun Patch Manager tools, with the addition of some new features and enhancements. If you are running the Solaris 10 initial release, and you want to use Sun Update Connection, install the appropriate patches or upgrade your system to the Solaris Express 10/05 release. For more information, see Chapter 16, Managing Software (Overview).
A signed patch is one that has a digital signature applied to it. A patch that has its digital signature verified has not been modified since the signature was applied. The digital signature of a signed patch is verified after the patch is downloaded to your system.
Patches for the Solaris OS, starting with the Solaris 2.6 release, are available as signed patches and as unsigned patches . Unsigned patches do not have a digital signature.
Signed patches are stored in Java archive format (JAR) files and are
available from the SunSolve OnlineSM web
site. Unsigned patches are stored in directory format and are also available
from the SunSolve Online web site as .zip files.
For information about managing patches and updates in the current Solaris release, refer to the Sun Update Connection product documentation at .
For information about applying patches to your system by using Patch Manager, see Managing Patches by Using the Command-Line Interface (Task Map).
For information about applying patches to your system by using the patchadd command, see Managing Solaris Patches by Using the patchadd Command (Task Map).
For additional overview information about signed patches, see Signed Packages, Patches, and Updates.