Deployment Notifications/Restarts
“Context -
There seemed to be some confusion regarding patching / deployments / restarts. Upper management needed an explanation. This document aimed to clear that ambiguity.”
posted May 28, 2015, 6:32 PM
The policies above are what is enforced for everyone and are fairly self explanatory. As you can see there are several notifications regarding a pending deadline leading up to the actual event.
Scenario 1 - Monthly Updates
Typically for patching there will be a 7 day "opportunity" as I will call it to update your system. Based on this schedule the user should get notified:
Once a day for 6 days.
Once every hour in the last 24 hours
Once every 15 minutes in the last hour
Pending a restart is due
90 minute countdown with a notification window that can be closed
After 30 minutes of the 90 minutes has expired
60 minute countdown with a notification window that cannot be closed
Scenario 2 - Past Due Updates
Client installs software that requires patches or client resumes from an unmanaged state. Compliance scan determines patches are missing. This scan runs weekly and is randomized from client to client. Past due patches are scheduled for deployment. Being that these are "past due", patches are deployed immediately.
Pending a restart is due
90 minute countdown with a notification window that can be closed
After 30 minutes of the 90 minutes has expired
60 minute countdown with a notification window that cannot be closed
Scenario 3 - Updates Test Candidate
Client has been assigned to the updates test group. Client is not subject to a 7 day grace period in order to provide quick results to gauge a company-wide deployment and its impact.
Pending a restart is due
90 minute countdown with a notification window that can be closed
After 30 minutes of the 90 minutes has expired
60 minute countdown with a notification window that cannot be closed
Scenario 4 - Outside Business Hours Installation
Client has elected to not be disturbed with any pending notifications. Reboots are deferred outside of business hours.
Scenario 5 - Application Installation
This scenario is not typical but it is possible. Testing should identify any of these issues. Client receives an application deployment which hides all notifications and forces a reboot. In the event that this does occur the Computer Restart settings are enforced.
Pending a restart is due
90 minute countdown with a notification window that can be closed
After 30 minutes of the 90 minutes has expired
60 minute countdown with a notification window that cannot be closed
User Experience for Deployments
User Notification Log Files
