Software Updates and Service Windows
I have read some posts here as well as the SCCM doc and have had some mixed results with testing so I would like to clarify how software updates will behave with a service window (particularly a short one). If I understand correctly, it will use the default max run time (20 min) for each patch plus it will calculate a restart countdown (let's say 5 minutes) and a restart time of 10 minutes. Let's say I only have a 60 minute service window and assume 4 security patches need to be installed plus a reboot.
Will SCCM calculate that this job requires 95 minutes (4 patches x 20, plus 10 minutes for reboot and 5 for countdown) and install nothing since the service window is less than 95?
Or will it treat each patch individually so that the first one should take 20 minutes so it can run. In reality it may only take 2 minutes to install so the next one tries and compares 20 to the remaining 58 minutes and it installs, etc. So if each patch installs quickly as it should and I have at least 20 minutes left, it should attempt the last patch. Then as long as I still have 15 minutes left, it should perform the countdown and reboot?
Am I understanding this correctly? A typical patch cycle even in a busy patch month usually runs in less than an hour for us for most systems. I am just concerned with how SCCM will calculate how much time it needs and be too over conservative at 20 minutes per patch. I would like to avoid having to modify the max run time on each patch if possible.
Answers
Well, this would be the wrong forum for this Mitch. I know it is a maintenance window question, but since it is related to software updates, should go in that forum :-)
The way I understand it is that we look at the updates, and their max run time. We then look at the window available, and subtract 5 minutes for a restart (I've never heard of the 5 and 10 you reference). If an update will install in that time, we do so. Then when one update has installed, we look at the next applicable one to see if it can be installed in the time remaining. So we look at individual updates with what window time remains.
Does that help?
All Replies
Well, this would be the wrong forum for this Mitch. I know it is a maintenance window question, but since it is related to software updates, should go in that forum :-)
The way I understand it is that we look at the updates, and their max run time. We then look at the window available, and subtract 5 minutes for a restart (I've never heard of the 5 and 10 you reference). If an update will install in that time, we do so. Then when one update has installed, we look at the next applicable one to see if it can be installed in the time remaining. So we look at individual updates with what window time remains.
Does that help?
- Thanks Wally, that helps and sorry about choosing the wrong forum.
- No problem. I just try to remind people so that the correct posts are in the correct forum, so its easier to get proper answers and other can gain from the knowledge :-)
- Wally, your replies appear twice, or is just on my screen?
