Configuring the Remote Consoles in a Disconnected Configuration

Here are the major steps you must perform when configuring each remote console in a disconnected console configuration.

I. Configure the Data Rollup Service

You must configure each remote console to roll up its results to the central console.

  1. Select Tools > Options > Arrivals / Data Rollup.

  2. In the Send this console's results to a Data Rollup sever area, enable the Enable Data Rollup check box.

  3. Configure the settings on each remote console by clicking Import Settings and opening the .drs file that was exported by the central console.

  4. In the Minutes between sending console's results box, specify how often the data will be rolled up from the remote console to the central console. The default value is every 240 minutes (four hours).

II. Set Up a Distribution Server

You must set up a distribution server that each remote console can access. The remote consoles will download all necessary files (such as patch files, scan engines, and XML data files) from the distribution server. The distribution server should be the same distribution server you set up on the central console.

See Configuring Distribution Servers for detailed information.

III. Create a Machine Group of the Machines at This Site

  1. In the Machine Groups pane click New Machine Group and name it All Machines (or something similar).

  2. Add all the machines that are managed by the remote console.

IV. Specify Where to Download Files

Configure the remote console so that prior to a scan it will automatically download the latest files from the distribution server.

  1. Select Tools > Options > Definitions.

  2. Specify the appropriate distribution server to use when downloading the latest scan engines and XML data files.

  3. On the options dialog select Patch Downloads.

  4. Specify the appropriate distribution server to use when downloading the patches and service packs.

V. Create a Patch Scan Template  

  1. In the Patch Scan Templates pane, click New Patch Scan Template.

  2. On the Filtering tab, enable the Deploy missing patches using check box and select the desired deployment template.

  3. Configure the remainder of the patch scan template as desired.

See Creating a New Patch Scan Template for details.

Note: If you want to scan for a particular set of patches in an unattended console configuration, see Implementing an Unattended Console Configuration for more information.

VI. Create a New Favorite and Schedule a Periodic Scan

Create a favorite containing the machine group and the scan template you created earlier and then use the favorite to schedule a scan.

  1. In the Favorites pane click New Favorite.

  2. In the Select at least 1 group list, select the new machine group you created earlier.

  3. In the Patch Scan Template box, select the patch scan template you created earlier.

  4. Click Save.

  5. Click Begin Scan.

  6. On the Run Patch Scan dialog, schedule the recurring scan.