Patch Mgmt > Scan Machine

Show me an explanation of the items on this page.

Use this function to schedule scans to search for missing patches on each managed machine. Scanning takes very little resources and can safely be scheduled to run at any time of day. The scanning operation will not impact users at all.

When new patches are published, your VSA server's patch database is updated with the information it needs to identify which machines may require the new patch.

How often should I scan a machine?

System and network security depends on all your machines having the latest security hot fixes and patches applied. Patches are released at irregular and unpredictable intervals. To insure your machines are updated you should scan all your machines on a daily basis.

Can I scan the VSA Server itself?

To scan the VSA Server, you must install an Agent on the VSA Server. Once installed, you can scan the VSA Server just like any other managed machine. Use the Machine Update function to apply the patches manually or use the Automatic Update function to automatically apply the patches.

What is happening when the patch database is refreshed?

Product vendor information for each supported product is downloaded from the Internet at the scheduled time and recurring interval. Updates to the information is loaded into the database and distributed to each machine at its next scheduled patch scan.

Explanation of items on this page

Schedule

Scan the selected machine for new patches at the scheduled time and recurring interval.

Cancel

Cancel the scheduled patch scan.

Stagger By

You can distribute the load on your network by staggering the scan. If you set the stagger for 5 minutes, then patch scan to each machine ID is staggered by 5 minutes. For example, machine 1 runs at 10:00, machine 2 runs at 10:05, machine 3 runs at 10:10, ...

Note: Patch Scan requires very little resources and does not impact the user or network at all when scans run. Stagger is almost never required but it is included for completeness.

Skip if machine offline

Check to only scan at the scheduled time.   If machine is offline, skip and reschedule for next day at the same time. Uncheck to scan the update as soon as the machine connects after the scheduled time.