Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator, Jumbos, HotFixes, Takes... Keeping it straight

[David_Levine]

Hi All,

Sorry for what is likely a really basic beginner question - but I need to understand better the terminology, tech, and update cycles for Check Point software;

Is there a difference between a Jumbo and a Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator?

Is a Jumbo just a collection of individual Hotfixes?

What is a Take?

I am currently reading through the following SK, but it still is not totally clear to me how to general update / cycle works and how I should manage installation of updates on my management servers / gateways.

https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solut...

Thanks so much,

D

[mdjmcnally · Accepted solution]

Hotfixes are individual patches that TAC may provide based on your specific environment.

Jumbo and Jumbo Hotfix Accumulators are effectively the same thing when comes to the patches and are collections of Hotfixes that TAC find releasings on a common/regular basis

The Take is the release version of the Jumbo/Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator

The Takes come in too flavours

Ongoing - This is a collection of Hotfixes that typically would install if instructed by TAC as in has a specific issue fixed that you are experiencing.   Personally only install when TAC advise to do so.    These will not appear in CPUSE as an available patch and you have to add manually to allow to download and install

General Availability - This is a collection that has gone through more testing and will be a Recommended Patch.  As such this will appear under the Recommended Patches in CPUSE.

Is typically considered a reliable patch and should be available to install without issue.  (Please note the use of the word should)

That is not to say that should not exercise full caution in terms of snapshots/backups/database revisions etc and testing when patching.

As with everything else then unless there is something in the Jumbo Take that specifically relates to your environment then no real need to rush out to patch so a lot of people will leave 1-2 weeks after a GA Take is released before implementing.

[Wolfgang]

This was a really good explanation by mdjmcnally.

Have a look at our discussion here last month about Best practise - How often do you patch/upgrade your gateways? 
This gives a good view from different administrators and how they handle the patches/hotfixes/Jumbos ...

Wolfgang

[David_Levine]

Thanks Wolfgang - this is really helpful!

[David_Levine]

Thanks mdjmcnally - this helps!!

[PhoneBoy]

For an official explanation of Jumbo Hotfixes (also referred to as JHF):
https://community.checkpoint.com/t5/General-Topics/R80-XX-Jumbo-Hotfix-Accumulator-Did-You-Know/m-p/...

Those of us who've been doing this quite a while might use the term HFA (HotFix Accumulator).
We haven't officially called them that for quite some time.