User`s guide

The .pls files use new names. Red Hat file names include Red Hat instead of RH, and SUSE file names
include Novell SUSE instead of Novell Linux.
Patch Assessment Content Private Repository
The new patch assessment content architecture uses a private YUM repository to contain the VCM patch
assessment content for Red Hat and SUSE machines. This content supports several Red Hat and SUSE
versions that have the VCM 5.4.1 or later Agent installed.
The VCM 5.4.1 installation process installs the repository in the CMAgent directory on the Collector
machine. During a UNIX patch assessment of the Red Hat or SUSE machines, VCM copies the repository
from the Collector to the managed machines. VCM Patching accesses the content in this repository to
perform the patch assessments on those machines.
Installed Patch Assessment Files
A patch assessment of the Red Hat and SUSE machines creates several files in the /tmp directory. These
files include yrl.txt, yli.txt, and yls.txt. At the start of each patch assessment process, VCM
removes these files and recreates them during the patch assessment.
When you perform a patch assessment of the Red Hat or SUSE machines, the VCM 5.4.1 Agent installation
process uses a script named mcescan to access the local private repository on the managed machine. The
mcescan script resides in the /usr/bin/ directory on the managed machine.
Patch Assessment Content Download Settings
The administration settings in VCM enable the patch assessment content download to the Collector.
During a patch assessment, the Collector copies the patch assessment content to your Red Hat and SUSE
machines based on the VCM Linux Agent installed on those machines.
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Managed machines that have the VCM 5.4.1 or later Agent installed use the new content architecture.
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Managed machines that have the VCM 5.4.0 or earlier Agent installed use the standard content
architecture.
Getting Started with VCM Patching
Use VCM Patching to assess the state of managed Windows, UNIX, and Linux machines, and deploy
patches to those machines.
"Getting Started with VCM Patching for Windows Machines" on page 184
"Getting Started with VCM Patching for UNIX and Linux Machines" on page 191
For information about other VCM Patching functionality, such as Windows patch staging or to create
filters for UNIXpatch assessment results, see the online help.
Getting Started with VCM Patching for Windows Machines
Use VCM Patching to determine the patch status of Windows machines and deploy patches to those
machines.
Prerequisites
To deploy patches to Windows or UNIX/Linux machines, UNIX machines in single-user mode, or AIX
machines, you must understand the actions in the deployment and perform several prerequisites. See
"vCenter Software Content Repository Tool" on page 190.
vCenter Configuration Manager Installation and Getting Started Guide
184 VMware, Inc.