patchplug

PatchPlug is a software component concept used to describe an automated patch management workflow. It refers to a modular tool that coordinates the creation, testing, packaging, distribution, and rollback of software patches across diverse IT environments.

Key features include a patch catalog with vulnerability mappings, dependency resolution, and support for multiple packaging formats. It supports automated testing within CI pipelines, representative staging environments, and deployment strategies such as canary or blue-green rollouts. It can deploy to on-premises, cloud, and hybrid endpoints via agents or agentless methods, with strong integrity controls.

Architecture centers on a control plane with a patch repository communicating with managed endpoints through agents or APIs. A pluggable design allows extensions for different operating systems, applications, and patch sources. Emphasis is placed on idempotence, auditable activity logs, and safe rollback procedures.

Origin and usage: The term is discussed in software engineering contexts as a generic metaphor for patch workflows. In this article, PatchPlug is treated as a hypothetical open-source project used to illustrate best practices in patch orchestration.

See also: patch management, software updates, configuration management, vulnerability management.