Automate the Download of the Offline Repository

[cpromen]

We are evaluating BatchPatch for use in downloading Windows Updates for distribution to offline computers in various high-security networks. I have a couple questions.

1. Is there a way to automate the download of the offline repository on a weekly/monthly basis to populate the cache directory?

2. Is there a way to automate a task or job on each offline computer so it runs on a weekly/monthly basis to look at the cache directory, that has been copied over, and install any new updates it finds?

We are looking for a way to automate this process with little to no GUI or manual intervention. Is this something BatchPatch supports today?

Thanks.

[doug]

Hello –

1. No, this is not currently possible. We will consider it for a future build.

2. Yes, you can use a standard recurring scheduled task for this. However, note that in order for this to work as desired/expected, you would have to separately handle getting not only the new updates into the cache directory before the scheduled task runs, but you would also have to include with the new updates the new WsusScn2.cab file.

[cpromen]

1. OK. Thank you!

2. Yes, we would do a robocopy on a monthly basis of the latest offline repository which includes the wsusscn2.cab.

Is this process documented anywhere for us to follow? Also, you mean a standard scheduled task in Windows OS or within BatchPatch?

Thanks.

[doug]

I forgot to include this link in the previous posting: Creating a Recurring Scheduled Task in BatchPatch

[cpromen]

Thanks Doug. So you are referring to a scheduled task inside the BatchPatch application, correct?

Is there an xml file or something that we can use to configure the bathpatch appliation on all offline systems? They would all be set to look at the same cache folder (local on each system, example C:\BatchPatch\cache) and run the same task(s). This would be for the localhost.

Please let me know.

Thanks!

[doug]

Yes, this is a BatchPatch scheduled task. See the tutorial linked above for details.

In BatchPatch under ‘Tools > Settings > Remote Execution’ you can choose the location for the BatchPatch working directory on target computers. I recommend leaving it set to the default value, which is C:\Program Files\BatchPatch. The cache folder will get created by BatchPatch under that path as C:\Program Files\BatchPatch\cache

[cpromen]

Yep, got it, thanks.

These systems are air-gapped and have no access to the internet. We will bring the cache folder over from a system that does have internet access. We can put the cache folder wherever, so if it needs to be in C:\Program Files\BatchPatch\cache we can do that.

In the same script we use to copy the cache folder locally to each system we would like to have a batch patch configuration imported so all systems are setup identical. Is this something that has to be done manually on each system or is there a file like an xml that we can configure and import to standardize the configuration on each machine?

Thanks.

[doug]

Let me try to explain again more clearly:

1. The BatchPatch cache directory on the BatchPatch computer is defined under ‘Tools > Settings > Windows Update > Local Update Cache directory’. This can be any folder/location of your choosing on the BatchPatch computer. This is where you will put the update files that you have downloaded previously on a different computer. Just make sure you put the update files in the folder that is defined under ‘Tools > Settings > Windows Update > Local Update Cache directory’.

2. The target computer cache directory is defined under ‘Tools > Settings > Remote Execution > Remote working directory’, which I recommend leaving at the default setting of C:\Program Files\BatchPatch, which will cause the cache directory to be created as C:\Program Files\BatchPatch\cache. This setting is ONLY defined in BatchPatch. There are no settings stored on the target computers. BatchPatch uses the directory defined in this setting when BatchPatch is executing actions on target computers. You will NOT copy the cache folder to all systems. You will ONLY copy the cache folder to the BatchPatch computer. Then when the BatchPatch action is executed to download/install updates on target systems using offline mode, BatchPatch will then handle copying the files from its local cache directory to the cache directories of all target computers.

This is all explained in detail in the scenario 4 and 5 tutorials that you will be following at https://batchpatch.com/cached-mode-and-offline-updates

I would suggest you download the free evaluation software from our website, and then you can simply follow the tutorials yourself to see how it works. It’s pretty simple and straightforward once you start doing it, and so I think you will answer most or all of your questions by simply performing the operations. https://batchpatch.com/download

[cpromen]

Ok thanks, we will give the trial a try.

Several of the air gapped systems are also standalone and do not talk to anything else. The batch patch repository will most likely have to be copied locally to them, but we will give it try and see if we can get this to work for our needs.

Thanks Doug!

[doug]

For computers that will act as both the source BatchPatch computer AND the target computer, the updates will need to be put in the source location, which is on the BatchPatch computer in the directory defined under ‘Tools > Settings > Windows Update > Local Update Cache directory’

[DontBeMean]

Hello,

Thank you both for all the great questions and answers. I was wondering where the location of the Scheduled task file is? I have checked both the C:\Program Files\BatchPatch\cache, and the C:\Users\*username*\AppData\Local\Cocobolo_Software,_LLC\BatchPatch. Please advise.

Thank you.

[doug]

There is no “Scheduled task file.” I’m not sure what you’re trying to do.

[DontBeMean]

Hello Doug,

Basically I’m looking for where BatchPatch keeps the information for the scheduled tasks created in and with the BatchPatch GUI. If a user is using the “Stand alone” scenario, and wanted to automate setting up each system exactly the same, (lets say 30 systems with the exact same setup), but not have to setup BatchPatch manually on each system. How would one accomplish that.

Thank you.

[doug]

The scheduled tasks are saved in the BatchPatch grid file itself. If you don’t save the BatchPatch grid (File > Save), the scheduled tasks are not saved anywhere. The scheduled tasks will only run if the grid is loaded into BatchPatch and the scheduler is enabled, OR if you have enabled BatchPatch to run as a service (Tools > Run BP as a service), and you have sent the desired BatchPatch grids to run in the service instance.

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