How do you keep track of the latest FW/OS updates?

[TSOL]

Hello Team

We are currently operating multiple Check Point Quantum products, including the Spark series.
I would like to establish a system to quickly grasp the latest firmware version information for each device and share it promptly with the relevant members.

How do you usually collect and manage the latest update information for your Quantum products?
In particular, if you have any ideas or examples of ways to automatically retrieve and notify update information from external sources (e.g., official RSS feeds, email notifications, webhooks, API integration, etc.), I would greatly appreciate it if you could share them.

Any small tips or practical examples would be very helpful!

[G_W_Albrecht]

- first step: look for updates in regular intervals on the specific web pages

- second step: review the resolved bugs and new features (upgrade if the bug is already bothering the customer)

- third step: wait until the new version is widely accepted (recommended version)

- forth step: test the new version only on some units and review the outcome

- fifth step: roll it out for all

[TSOL]

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation.

Regarding the first step, you mentioned regularly checking the official web pages for updates.
Could you please share a bit more detail about how you actually do this in practice?
Since there is always a risk of forgetting to check manually,
I would greatly appreciate it if you could share any hints or examples of ways
to automatically check for updates and receive notifications.

Thank you very much for your support.

[Lesley · Accepted solution]

Hi,

In smart console in the overview tabs where you see all connected gateways you can see if there is a new version / jumbo. Check point pushes new GA takes there. Not ongoing takes. Also Gaia embedded should show a message below in the browser next to the version number if something new is there. 

[Chris_Atkinson · Accepted solution]

For spark you can subscribe to sk179615.

[G_W_Albrecht]

Since there is always a risk of forgetting to check manually,

Put the task into your calender as a regular to-do every 14 days (or 30 days) and you will  get a reminder 😉

[the_rock]

Just do what @Chris_Atkinson advised, makes most sense.

Andy

[G_W_Albrecht]

But for Spark only !

[Chris_Atkinson]

For Quantum we have something similar but it's purpose is not to track JHF levels.

sk95746: Check Point Recommended Version and Release Terminology

SmartConsole and PRO support notifications supplement this somewhat from a process perspective.

[_Val_ · Accepted solution]

One more option nobody has mentioned yet: you can subscribe to https://community.checkpoint.com/t5/Product-Announcements/bg-p/products-blog and receive notifications about new jumbos and versions being released, as well as changes in statuses to recommended.

[M_Bingol]

This is what I do. I've subscribed to this page's RSS feed in Outlook, it's been incredibly useful for staying updated.

[the_rock]

I just stick with old school way...Google lol

Andy

[Don_Paterson]

Gaia on the Quantum box/es can send out email notifications when CPUSE find new updates online. 

https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/r81.20/webadminguides/en/cp_r81.20_gaia_adminguide/content/topi...

[the_rock]

Looks like that link is broken, Don.

Andy

[Don_Paterson]

Mmm...

Gaia Admin guide. 

Thanks for letting me know Andy. 

Maybe a better reference: https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk92449

[Tony_Graham]

I check using Smart Console since it shows which gateways have updates waiting. Once you drill down you can see what updates are available for the device. I apply JHFA's as they appear. I usually hold off on new version updates until I start seeing mentions of the first JHFA's in Daemon's emails unless there is something really cool in the version jump, then I might gamble on a .0 release.