Security Patches Coming for SLU Servers

The ITS Server and Storage Operations Team will apply all applicable Red Hat Enterprise (RHEL) security patches to servers on the SLU network June 11 between 6 a.m. and noon. The patches are part of a continuing effort to increase the security for campus data.

The patching process follows an “Opt-Out” model, meaning that servers on the SLU network will receive operating system security patches by default unless an application owner provides a valid reason not to patch the server hosting their application.

Requests to opt out of the patch schedule must be submitted to ITS by 5 p.m., today, June 8.

Submit opt out requests to Jack Cashel or Keith Nieman. All opt outs are subject to review and determination by ITS leadership.

On Sunday, June 11, the servers hosting SLU users’ applications may be rebooted between 6 a.m. and noon. Multiple reboots may be necessary to ensure system security. The servers will be brought up to the May 12, 2017 security patch level.

RHEL 5, which became unsupported at the end of March, will only receive patches up to that deadline.

Users should tests their applications after noon on June 11. Any issues should be reported to the IT Service Desk at 314-977-4000 immediately.

The snapshots that are created immediately before patching will be deleted after one week.