How to Patch Network Devices the Right Way Every Time?

Every business's topmost priority these days is to keep its network secure, stable, and performing optimally. Patching network devices such as routers, firewalls, switches, and wireless access points is a crucial part of every business strategy, whether it is a small business or a large one. 

Still, many businesses consider it trivial and react only after the breach takes place. This can result in issues such as downtime and vulnerabilities in the business's overall security. This has led to the question- how to patch network devices in the right manner. 

Opting for the network cabling services can help you with this. Hear straight from the data cabling installers about patching the network devices in the right way.

Significance of Patching For Businesses

Patching refers to the process of ensuring updates and fixes that enable businesses to close security holes, correct bugs, and improve performance. These updates or fixes are issued by the device manufacturers or the software vendors. Check out the reasons why it matters the most for businesses. 

Security- Without patching, there are vulnerabilities that act as an open door for hackers. 

Stability- Patching the network devices means fixing the bugs, which in turn prevents crashes, glitches, and failures.

Compliance- HIPAA and PCI compliance require timely compliance. 

Performance- When the firmware and drivers are updated, it enhances the performance and supports new features.

It shows that patching network devices is not optional but a must for businesses to safeguard themselves in the long run. 

How To Patch Network Devices Correctly? 

No more wondering how to patch the network devices correctly. Here’s the complete process to do so right every time. 

Create a policy 

The first thing to do is to create a patch management policy. The document should mention the following things: 

What devices need to be patched

Who’ll be responsible for patching

Whether to do patch management monthly or quarterly 

Emergency patching procedures

Testing protocols 

It is the patch management policy only that acts as the roadmap and enables businesses not to miss updates or inconsistent practices.

Note down the inventory

There’s no way you can patch without knowing what exists and what doesn’t. So, take note of the inventory of all the network devices. The network devices include- 

Routers
Firewalls
Switches
Wireless access points
VPN concentrators
Load balancers

Apart from taking note of the network devices, also note the device model, firmware version, location, and the date when the last update was done. There are tools that businesses can use to automate device recovery if required. 

Check manufacturer websites

Every vendor has its own method of releasing the updates. It is a must for businesses to take note and bookmark vendors' firmware update pages. You can also consider signing up for email alerts and security bulletins. 

Many vendors regularly publish vulnerability disclosures and firmware release notes. There are also dashboards in numerous business-grade devices that notify you about the available updates. 

Backup device configurations

Always back up the device configuration first before applying any update. Doing so ensures you can quickly restore operations if the update fails or causes issues. Besides this, some devices allow you to export configurations through their GUI or CLI. 

Once done, make sure to store the backups securely and also label them with the date and device name. 

Test patches in staging

It can be risky to directly patch in the live environment, especially for businesses having larger network infrastructures. The key? Test patches in a staging environment that looks the same as your production network. 

This enables you to get to know the potential issues, such as issues in compatibility, unexpected reboots, Loss of configuration, and Performance degradation. The other way is to apply the updates during low-traffic hours and schedule a rollback window in case you don’t have a test environment. 

Schedule patching 

Timing matters the most. Do not apply patches during the peak business hours, and instead choose a maintenance window when there will be minimal operations. Also, inform the users in advance and give them a timeline. 

The best thing is scheduling updates late at night or during the weekend to minimize client-facing disruptions. 

Apply the patch and test

Take note of the specific procedure of the vendor for updating firmware or software. Make sure to follow the vendor’s instructions clearly and monitor the process to see if it is completed or not. Once done, test it whether the device reflects the update or not. 

Also, see if the connectivity is intact and whether the logs are free of critical errors and warnings or not. The specific services tied to that device also need to be checked. 

Document 

Document the entire PoE patching activity, including the:

Device name and IP
Firmware version before and after
Date/time of patch
Person responsible
Any issues encountered
Backup file location

Patch panel labeling

It not only assists with compliance but also makes troubleshooting way too easy for you. 

Wrapping Up 

Patching network devices is a must to ensure security, uptime, and compliance. It’s better to hire Ethernet cable installation services that have years of experience in network management and support, and can help you patch network devices.