The patch test reveals the installation status of a specific patch in the VMware ESX server. This information can be retrieved by the "esxupdate query | grep ESX-xxxxxxx" command. It extends the standard TestType as defined in the oval-definitions-schema and one should refer to the TestType description for more information. The required object element references a patch_object and the optional state element specifies the metadata to check.
The patch_object element is used by a patch test to define those objects to be evaluated based on a specified state. Each object extends the standard ObjectType as defined in the oval-definitions-schema and one should refer to the ObjectType description for more information. The common set element allows complex objects to be created using filters and set logic. Again, please refer to the description of the set element in the oval-definitions-schema.
A patch_object consists of a single patch_number entity that identifies the patch to be checked.
The patch_state element defines the information about a specific patch. The patch_number element identifies this patch, and the status element reveals the installation status of this patch in the VMware ESX server. For instance, after the "esxupdate query | grep ESX-2559638" command is run, the result is either a string similar to "ESX-2559638 15:27:17 04/05/07 Update info rpm for ESX 3.0.1." or empty.
The PatchBehaviors complex type defines a number of behaviors that allow a more detailed definition of the patch_object being specified. Note that using these behaviors may result in some unique results. For example, a double negative type condition might be created where an object entity says include everything except a specific item, but a behavior is used that might then add that item back in.