CF Server Manager 9.0.1 + CHF1 error

[carl type3]

Hello,

I have been trialling ColdFusion Server Manager.

With CF SM you can apply hotfix remotely.

Cumulative hotfix 1 (CHF1) for CF 9.0.1 has some manual steps:

http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/862/cpsid_86263.html

I suspect you still need to perform the manual steps connected to the server? Does that reduce the usefulness of SM for applying updates hotfix?

Since applying CHF1 to CF9.0.1 SM can no longer connect to those updated CF servers. Eg:

Has anyone else tried CF SM with CF 9.0.1 + CHF1?

Regards, Carl.

[carl type3]

Well I restarted the whole server that CF9.0.1 + CHF1 is running on and now CF SM can access it again.

Would seem to me CF SM does not provide any advantages when it comes to applying hot fixes. Curious as to others thoughts on the CF9 SM feature?

Thanks, Carl

[Charlie Arehart]

Glad you got sorted, Carl. As for the Server Manager's hotfix feature, it's true that it doesn't help when CHFs have extra manual steps, but not all do. So it's not perfect, no, but really the whole hotfix situation is itself quite a challenge, as many will frequently point out. So I'd regard that part of the SM as a first step in the right direction, but clearly not the full solution yet.

I'll add that for those challenged by the SM in any other ways, or working on other than 9, they should look at the free MerlinManager tool (at merlinmanager.com) which does things similar to the SM, including doing comparisons of multiple server configs. (It doesn't handle the multi-step manual hotfixes, either, though.)

Finally, for any who had not noticed that many CHFs have manual steps, it's a real potentially challenging issue, especially if you want to skip over CHFs. I discussed it in a blog entry recently:

http://www.carehart.org/blog/client/index.cfm/2010/12/12/cfmyths_cumulative%20hotfixes

/charlie arehart

charlie@carehart.org

Providing CF and CFBuilder troubleshooting services

at http://www.carehart.org/consulting

[carl type3]

Agreed Charlie, the CHF patching is not easy. I would like to mention I am pleased to see security fix APSB10-18 is included in CF9.0.1 CHF1. Having the right CHF steps done and making sure your “security” fixes are in order (that is the subject for another blog) adds to the lack of ease. So with security fix in that takes away some of the effort. Would I be correct in thinking this is the first time CHF contains a security fix? If so maybe one of those little steps forward.

Cheers, Carl.

[Charlie Arehart]

Yep, it seems so, and yes it's been well received. Let's hope it is setting a standard.

/charlie