Patching

It is important to keep your computer updated with the latest patches released by ITS. This is done using the PatchLink system. For more information please read below

Patchlink

What is Patchlink?

PatchLink Update is an Automated Patch Management Solution, that uses ITS to help protect the University's networks and computer systems from security threats.

PatchLink Update is built on proven technology for automated patch detection and deployment. Patchlink Update aids the managing and distributing of critical patches that resolve known security vulnerabilities and other stability issues with operating systems. It enables ITS to work quickly, accurately and safely to ensure desktops and servers are patched correctly, completely and consistently.

The Patchlink update server will audit computers on a regular basis for security compliance. If the computer is found not to be compliant, the required level of security updates will be applied.

http://www.patchlink.com

Should my computer have Patchlink installed?

All windows computers directly connected to The University of Adelaide's computing network should have the Patchlink Update agent installed.

Should I expect Patchlink to reboot my computer?

Where possible, ITS will avoid rebooting systems during business hours. This may not be the case if security threats are found affecting, or have the possibility of affecting the normal operation of the University's systems.

All security updates, require systems to be rebooted before the security update will take effect.

How often should I reboot my computer?

All computer systems should be restarted a minimum of once per week.

Often computers that are not restarted daily experience a degraded level of performance. This is due to changes in either its current state, or in most cases changes in the surrounding network.

So should I leave my computer on or off over night?

All computers should be shut down over night unless it is being used for a specific purpose during that time. However once per month ITS will request that computers be left on, at the login window (see below), over the designated patching weekends.

Microsoft releases monthly security updates, normally the second week into each month.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/current.aspx

The security updates will be tested against the University's core business systems during the week of release.

The security updates will then be released with reboots over the following weekend, starting at 3.00pm on the Friday afternoon. The security updates will be applied over the weekend, reducing the impact on your daily activities. If you have not left your computer on over this weekend, the security updates will be applied the next time your computer contacts the Patchlink server.

Patchlink is asking me to reboot, what do I do?

You have three options

1. Save your work and restart your computer manually

2. Save your work, Click the button and allow Patchlink to restart your computer for you. Patchlink may take a few minutes to restart your computer, please be patient. If your computer has not restarted after 5 minutes, restart manually.

3. Save your work and click . Snooze will put Patchlink to sleep for a specified duration. This duration can be selected from the dropdown list labelled "Snooze for".

Things to be aware of

1. Your computer will be restarted 3 hours after the initial notification. If you were not present for the notifications the computer will automatically restart, therefore you should always save your work before leaving your computer unattended for extended periods of time.

2. If a reboot is pending, a small Patchlink icon will be present on your bottom tool bar, next to your clock.

Double click the icon to display the current status of the patchlink reboot notification.

3. If you leave your computer at the initial login window (this is the suggested state for over the weekend). Your computer will be restarted without notification after the security updates have been applied.

How can I stay informed?

An email list has been setup to keep staff informed of desktop patching issues.
To subscribe please visit: http://list.adelaide.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/windowspatching-v

Who should I contact about Patchlink?

Contact the ITS helpdesk on 8303 3000 or email: helpdesk@adelaide.edu.au

last modified 2/05/2008  by Rob Lee