|  | 8.11 | Maintaining and Supporting the Network
| 8.11.1 | The kinds of test documentation that are usually available regarding a vendors patches, fixes, upgrades, etc.
Test documentation normally is included with the software during packaging. Vendor patches, fixes, and upgrades usually occur after the product has been purchased. Vendors provide patches and updates of their products when bugs are found in their software or to make their software run more efficiently. In the case where a bug is found in an earlier release, patches are provided to fix the bugs. The most current patch or fix is likely to be found on a vendor's web page. Normally, a search feature or online support guide on the vendor's web page is available to easily navigate the site to locate the specific patch needed. Software upgrades are designed to improve and make current software more powerful. Normally, upgrades are free (or can be purchased for a fee) and can be downloaded from a vendor's webpage in the same way as a patch would be downloaded. However, a backup should be made before installation to prevent loss of data. Without anti-virus software installed on the servers and workstations, no modern network will continue working efficiently. Depending on the users needs, a wide variety of anti-viral packages are available. An ongoing network maintenance strategy should be to update virus signatures frequently; because new viruses are spawned frequently, within a few months, what was previously protective anti-virus software can become useless.