User`s guide

9. On the Patch Deployment Schedule page, set the timing for the patch deployment job.
10. On the Reboot Options page, select the options to reboot the machine and send a message, or select to
avoid a reboot.
11. On the Confirmation page, confirm the patch summary information and complete the wizard to
deploy the patch.
After you deploy patches, VCM collects assessment data again to confirm the patches were applied.
UNIX and Linux patching change actions are saved in the VCM change log in Console > Change
Management > VCM or Non VCM Initiated Change > By Data Type > Patch Assessment. These change
actions are available to Compliance and Reports.
IMPORTANT If a failure occurs at any point in the patch deployment job, the System Administrator must
check the status of the system, resolve any issues, and then reassess the machines.
How the Deploy Action Works
The Deploy action runs a command from the Collector to the VCM-managed machines.
The VCM job command performs the following actions:
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Assesses VCM-managed machines to determine whether the patch was installed since the last
assessment.
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Runs a pre-install script (remote command) if specified.
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Installs the patch that already resides on the VCM-managed machine’s NFS mounted or local file
system.
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Runs a post-install script (remote command) if specified.
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Assesses whether the patch was installed on the VCM-managed machine.
The pre-install and post-install scripts used in the Deploy actions are remote commands, which differ from
using a VCMremote command to install a patch. The patch assessment and deployment process for UNIX
and Linux does not use remote commands. However, if you choose to deploy a patch using a user-created
remote command, be aware that the patch will not be assessed until you run an assessment.
Running VCM Patching Reports
You can run patch status reports on UNIX and Windows machines based on trends, details, template
summary, bulletins, affected software products, and patch deployment history.
Real-time assessment reports allow you to generate SQLreports for machines assessed against bulletins
and affected software products. The patch deployment history report allow you to report on the history of
patch deployments using VCM Patching assessment results.
You can generate these reports:
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Create real-time assessment reports by bulletins or products.
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Create real-time assessment reports by affected software products.
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Create real-time assessment reports of bulletins and products.
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Create a patch deployment history report.
When generating reports, you can:
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Manually update VCM Patching Windows content.
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Run reports without Internet access.
vCenter Configuration Manager Installation and Getting Started Guide
174 VMware, Inc.