Automatic Update

The Automatic Update page is the preferred method of updating managed machines with Microsoft patches on a recurring basis. Automatic Update obeys both the Patch Approval Policy and the Reboot Action policy. Use Initial Update if you are installing patches for the first time on a managed machine. See Methods of Updating Patches, Configuring Patch Management, Patch Processing, Superseded Patches, Update Classification and Patch Failure for a general description of patch management.

Patches that require manual intervention are not included in Automatic Updates. These are shown in the Missing Manual column of the Patch Status page and on the individual Machine Update page.
Patch installation only occurs when a new missing patch is found by Scan Machine.
Automatic Update is suspended for a machine while Initial Update is being processed. Automatic Update automatically resumes when Initial Update completes.

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:

Schedule will be based on the timezone of the agent (rather than server) - If checked, time settings set in the Scheduler dialog reference the local time on the agent machine to determine when to run this task. If blank, time settings reference server time, based on the server time option selected in System > Preferences. Defaults from the System > Default Settings page.
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. For example, if the scheduled time for a task is 3:00 AM, and the distribution window is 1 hour, then the task schedule will be changed to run at a random time between 3:00 AM and 4:00 AM.
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 - Applies only to the distribution window. If checked, specifies a time range to exclude the scheduling of a task within the distribution window. Specifying a time range outside of the distribution window is ignored by the scheduler.

Note: This Schedule button may be hidden for a standard user. This button is enabled using the System > System Preferences > Enable Scheduling node on the User Roles - Access Rights tab.

Cancel

Click Cancel to cancel execution of this task on selected managed machines. Does not clear patch installs that have already started.

Suspend / Unsuspend

Suspends and unsuspends Automatic Update for selected machines. Applies only to Automatic Update. Machine Updates and Patch Updates will continue to be processed.

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.

Check-in status

These icons indicate the agent check-in status of each managed machine. Hovering the cursor over a check-in icon displays the agent Quick View window.

Online but waiting for first audit to complete

Agent online

Agent online and user currently logged on.

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

Machine.Group ID

The list of Machine.Group IDs displayed is based on the Machine ID / Group ID filter and the machine groups the user is authorized to see using System > User Security > Scopes.

Note: Displays the following message if applicable: Not a member of a Patch Policy - All missing patches will be installed!

Recurrence

If recurring, displays the interval to wait before running the task again.

Automatic Update Suspended

Displays a lock icon if Automatic Update has been suspended.