# Chapter Installing and Upgrading the OS and Software #

[Author](authors.html): Ion-Mihai Tetcu itetcu@FreeBSD.org FreeBSD

[Author](authors.html): _name_ _[[contact]]_ _[[BSD_flavour]]_

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[Reviewer](technical_reviewers.html): _name_ _[[contact]]_ _[[BSD_flavour]]_

[Reviewer](technical_reviewers.html): Chris Silva racerx@makeworld.com FreeBSD

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XXX: I plan to write only the FreeBSD part so we still need authors for the rest (itecu)

An important aspect of system administration is tracking installed
versions of both the operating system and third-party applications.
An advantage of using BSD systems is the availability of multiple
tools to assist the system administrator in determining software versions
and their dependencies. These tools indicate which software is out-of-date
or has existing security vulnerabilities. Assist in upgrading
or patching software and its dependencies. When and how installations
and upgrades are done is specific to each organization. The successful
admin knows how to use the tools which are available for
these purposes, and the cautions that are necessary when working on
production systems under the supervision of a more senior administrator.



- [[Recognize_the_installation_program_used_by_each_operating_system]]
- [[Recognize_which_commands_are_available_for_upgrading_the_operating_system]]
- [[Understand_the_difference_between_a_pre-compiled_binary_and_compiling_from_source]]
- [[Understand_when_it_is_preferable_to_install_a_pre-compiled_binary_and_how_to_do_so]]
- [[Recognize_the_available_methods_for_compiling_a_customized_binary]]
- [[Determine_what_software_is_installed_on_a_system]]
- [[Determine_which_software_requires_upgrading]]
- [[Upgrade_installed_software]]
- [[Determine_which_software_have_outstanding_security_advisories]]
- [[Follow_the_instructions_in_a_security_advisory_to_apply_a_security_patch]]
