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Run Audit

Audit > Run Audit

The Run Audit page performs audits of the hardware and software configuration of manage machines.

Audits

Agents can be scheduled to automatically audit the hardware and software configurations of their managed machines on a recurring basis. Agents report the information back to the KServer so you can access it using the VSA even when managed machines are powered down. Audits enable you to examine configurations before they develop into serious problems. The system maintains three types of audits for each machine ID:

  • Baseline audit - The configuration of the system in its original state. Typically a baseline audit is performed when a system is first set up.
  • Latest audit - The configuration of the system as of the last audit. Once per day is recommended.
  • System Info - All DMI / SMBIOS data of the system as of the last system info audit. This data seldom changes and typically only needs to be run once.

The VSA detects changes in a machines's configuration by comparing the latest audit to the baseline audit. The latest audit record is stored for as many days as you specify.

Most of the agent and managed machine data displayed by function pages and Info Center > Reports are based on the latest audit. The Machine Changes report compares a machine ID's latest audit to a baseline audit. Two alert types specifically address changes between a baseline audit and the latest audit: Application Changes and Hardware Changes.

Note: The PCI & Disk Audit Enable/Disabled buttons in 5.x and earlier versions of the Run Audit page have been removed. PCI & Disk H/W audits are now performed automatically on Windows XP and later operating systems. Older systems are not supported.

Latest Audit

Runs the Latest Audit of all selected machine IDs. Captures the state of machines on a frequent basis, such as daily.

Baseline Audit

Runs a Baseline Audit of all selected machine IDs. Run a baseline audit to capture the state of machines in a known working state.

System Info

Collects System Info of all selected machines IDs. System Info displays all DMI / SMBIOS data collected for each managed machine. This data virtually never changes and typically only needs to be run once.

Schedule

Click Schedule to display the Scheduler window, which is used throughout the VSA to schedule a task. Schedule a task once or periodically. Each type of recurrence—Once, Hourly, Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly—displays additional options appropriate for that type of recurrence. Periodic scheduling includes setting start and end dates for the recurrence. Not all options are available for each task scheduled. Options can include:

  • Distribution Window - Reschedules the task to a randomly selected time no later than the number of periods specified, to spread network traffic and server loading.
  • Skip if offline - If checked and the machine is offline, skip and run the next scheduled period and time. If blank and the machine is offline, run the task as soon as the machine is online again.
  • Power up if offline - Windows only. If checked, powers up the machine if offline. Requires Wake-On-LAN or vPro and another managed system on the same LAN.
  • Exclude the following time range - If checked, specifies a date/time range to not perform the task.

Cancel

Click Cancel to cancel execution of this task on selected managed machines.

Run Now

Click Run Now to run this task on selected machine IDs immediately.

Remind me when accounts need audit scheduled

If checked, displays a pop up warning message if audits have not been scheduled for one or more machine IDs. The warning displays each time you select Run Audit. Applies to each VSA user individually.

Check-in status

These icons indicate the agent check-in status of each managed machine:

Online but waiting for first audit to complete

Agent online

Agent online and user currently logged on. Icon displays a tool tip showing the logon name.

Agent online and user currently logged on, but user not active for 10 minutes

Agent is currently offline

Agent has never checked in

Agent is online but remote control has been disabled

The agent has been suspended

Select All/Unselect All

Click the Select All link to check all rows on the page. Click the Unselect All link to uncheck all rows on the page.

Machine.Group ID/System Info

The top line shows the machine ID. The bottom line displays the last time a System Info audit was performed. Overdue date/time stamps display as red text with yellow highlight. Pending and completed date/time stamps display as black text.

Latest Audit/Baseline Audit

The top line displays when the Latest Audit data was performed. The bottom line displays the last time a Baseline Audit was performed. Overdue date/time stamps display as red text with yellow highlight. Pending and completed date/time stamps display as black text.

Next Audit/Recurring Interval

Displays the time of the next scheduled Latest Audit. The bottom line displays the recurring interval for latest audits. Overdue date/time stamps display as red text with yellow highlight. Pending and completed date/time stamps display as black text.