Use the following tips to help you administer Sun Cluster patches more efficiently:
Always read the patch README file before applying the patch.
Check the upgrade requirements of your storage devices to determine which patch method they require.
Apply all patches (required and recommended) before running the cluster in a production environment.
Check the hardware firmware levels and install any required firmware updates that might be needed.
All nodes acting as cluster members must have the same patches.
Keep cluster subsystem patches up to date. These patches include, for example, volume management, storage device firmware, and cluster transport.
Review patch reports regularly, such as once a quarter, and patch a Sun Cluster configuration by using the recommended patch suite.
Apply selective patches as recommended by Enterprise Services.
Test failover after major patch updates. Be prepared to back out the patch if cluster operation is degraded or impaired.