How to learn about new patches on a timely basis

[DominikHoffmann]

Where can I sign up for notifications about the availability new patches?

[stephenw10]

The patches package is updated to add new recommended patches so including the packages widget in the dashboard would show you when that happens.

[DominikHoffmann]

@stephenw10: is there a way to get emailed, when there are updates to the patches?

[stephenw10]

Not for updates to patches like that. Not officially at least.

There is a user script to send notifications from the firewall when pkg updates are available.
https://forum.netgate.com/topic/137707/auto-update-check-checks-for-updates-to-base-system-packages-and-sends-email-alerts

I haven't tested it in a while though. I'm not sure it's been updated for the new branch system.

[DominikHoffmann]

@stephenw10: I use that script (authored by @luckman212), but at least the version I have does not check for new patches. Checking, whether that version is still the latest.

[Gertjan]

@DominikHoffmann

As said in the other thread, I'm using that script.

It told me - I received a mail - one or two days ago that this package :

login-to-view

had an upgrade.

This was the mail :

Notifications in this message: 1
================================

07:01:11 The following updates are available and can be installed using System > Package Manager:

System_Patches: 2.2.11_13 ==> 2.2.11_14

Some packages are part of the base system and will not show up in Package Manager. If any such updates are listed below, run `pkg upgrade` from the shell to install them:

pfSense-pkg-System_Patches: 2.2.11_13 -> 2.2.11_14 [pfSense]

It can't get any better then that ^^

Even FreeBSD packages, like 'curl' or unbound' or 'pkg' itself, if they have an update ready, will be shown. To upgrade these, the command line (SSH, console) is needed, though.

[JonathanLee]

Someone should make a feature request for email for patch updates, I have my system already setup to email me on reboots and errors. And now updates thanks

[stephenw10]

The patches package does not itself pull in a patch list. When new recommended patches are added a new package version is built. So checking for a package update is sufficient.

[JonathanLee]

@stephenw10 whenever there is new patches in the pfSense-pkg-System-Patches a new version of the package is built. wouldn't that reflect some kind of update is needed right?

Updated: you just said that haha :)