Check out the beta of the Offline Virtual Machine Servicing Tool which combines Windows Workflow with Windows PowerShell to automate the update process of virtual machines (VMs) stored in a Virtual Machine Manager library.
Virtual machines may be left offline (stored in a non-operating state) for extended periods of time. Storing virtual machines in this manner conserves resources when the server capacities of the virtual machines are not needed.
However, offline machines do not automatically receive operating system, anti-virus, or application updates that would keep them compliant with current IT policy. An out-of-date virtual machine poses a risk to the IT environment. If deployed and started, the out-of-date virtual machine may be vulnerable to attack or may be capable of attacking other network resources. Therefore, IT groups must take measures to ensure that stored virtual machines remain up-to-date and compliant. At present, these measures involve temporarily bringing the virtual machines online, updating them, and storing them again.
Future image updating solutions may be able to update virtual machines while they remain offline. Until such solutions become available, the Offline Virtual Machine Servicing Tool provides a way to automate the process of deploying, updating, and storing virtual machines.
For more details, see the Offline Virtual Machine Servicing Tool Executive Overview.
Offline Virtual Machine Servicing Tool – Beta
Program Information
The Offline Virtual Machine Servicing Tool allows you to automatically activate virtual machines parked in a library to update their operating systems one by one using System Center Configuration Manager or Windows Server Update Services. (If you have already signed up, please click the link to YOUR DASHBOARD. In your Dashboard, click the SOLUTION ACCELERATORS link.)
- Program Start Date 4/3/2008
- Program End Date 8/1/2008
- Nomination Start Date 4/1/2008
- Nomination End Date 8/1/2008
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