Shavlik Tackles Linux Patch Management

Patch management vendor Shavlik Technologies took its first step away from Windows Friday as it shipped an agentless patch management solution for Linux.

HFNetChkPro for Linux 2.0, which uses the same technology as Shavlik's for-Windows HFNetChkPro, supports Red Hat Linux clients, and doesn't require any software to be installed on the end user machines.

The manager boasts over 5,000 patches in its database, and supports Red Hat Linux 7.2, 7.3, 8.0, and 9.0, with support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Fedora clients to ship later.

Although Shavlik's built its reputation on providing patch management for Windows, it's taking a stab at Linux because of the increasing numbers of open-source systems deployed in enterprises.

"[There's] a significant level of interest for a Linux solution, particularly for the substantial number of Linux servers being deployed by large networks," said Mark Shavlik, chief executive officer of Shavlik, in a statement.

Prices for the new Linux version weren't announced, but Shavlik sells its Windows edition at prices starting at $620 for 25 seats. A trial version is available for download from the Shavlik Web site.