Quite correct....on our psexec-utilizing batch script patching routines, we managed to write in a passable amount of error handling, but reporting had to be written as a separate utility.
2009/8/31 Steven M. Caesare <scaes...@caesare.com> > Indeed. > > > > However, one shouldn’t overlook the value of logging, reporting, error > handling, etc… > > > > It’s a significant challenge. > > > > -sc > > > > *From:* James Rankin [mailto:kz2...@googlemail.com] > *Sent:* Monday, August 31, 2009 11:32 AM > *To:* NT System Admin Issues > *Subject:* Re: [On-Topic] Patching with PSEXEC > > > > Ah yes. Read threads fully before responding, one must. > > GPO would be the way to go then - although I tend to use the Citrix > Application Packager when the fit takes me, although obviously the fact that > I run a Citrix farm kinda helps me out there. You can also do third-party > kit through VMWare Update Manager (Shavlik for VirtualCenter essentially) > and SCCM, but those have all the cost implications we all know about. Psexec > comes in quite handy once you've packaged applications up to install > quietly, if you can - or identified all the necessary switches. Adobe's > customisation tool is quite good for building customised installers (one of > the few things Adobe seems to do well) > > 2009/8/31 Steven M. Caesare <scaes...@caesare.com> > > I agree on the “it becomes a full time job part”. > > > > However, he specifically mention non-MS apps… and WSUS won’t do that. > > > > -sc > > > > *From:* James Rankin [mailto:kz2...@googlemail.com] > *Sent:* Monday, August 31, 2009 9:49 AM > > > *To:* NT System Admin Issues > > *Subject:* Re: [On-Topic] Patching with PSEXEC > > > > We used to use a batch script using psexec to patch 500 Windows NT Server > systems because management wouldn't pay for anything. We had to do the OS, > Internet Explorer (all versions), Adobe, Office, all the other stuff. We > started off using a text file full of data being parsed for the relevant > systems so that we'd know what to install on each system as they were > discovered. Someone (me) ended up working on this data file and the script > almost full time, spending hours after every patch release working out where > the files were updated, how to test if it applied, which systems needed it, > and how to work the logic into the batch script to make sure it didn't go > where it didn't. And this is in the pre-64-bit and virtualisation days. I > can't imagine how complex it would be now. > > Most sensible accounts at this time paid for UpdateExpert or HfNetChk. When > MS released WSUS, we all breathed a collective sigh of relief and went back > to other day-to-day admin tasks. We, as others probably do, only use psexec > for one-off tasks now. Patching is far too complex a beast for it, unless > you like having to spend all your time what MS will do for you for nothing. > > 2009/8/31 tony patton <tony.pat...@quinn-insurance.com> > > Hey all, > > Following on from IE8 doesn't work thread, management here wants start > using PSEXEC to patch applications. > > I'm a bit hesitant to use it for patching 2800 desktops for Adobe reader, > flash, firefox and UltraVNC, fine for running scripts and such, just not > sure about patching. > > Logging is a whole other thing, personally, I don't want to be able to log > which machines were successful, failed or not on > as there would be no incentive to get a proper patching solution. > I can wrap a batch file around it to re-direct output to a file, so the > possibility of logging is there. > > What are the pitfalls that any of you that use this approach have come > across? > > Also thanks to Sam Cayze for the PSEXEC command for Adobe, hadn't attempted > to work out the command for Flash but this does it, saved me a bit of work > :-) > > Slightly off-topic, don't know why anyone would want to leave this list, > keeps me sane most days. > > Sorry if this is a bit all over the place, 11am and been here before 7 :-( > All information greatly appreciated. > > Regards > > Tony Patton > Desktop Operations Cavan > Ext 8078 > Direct Dial 049 435 2878 > email: tony.pat...@quinn-insurance.com > > ==================================================================== > > http://www.quinn-insurance.com > > > > This e-mail is intended only for the addressee named above. 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I am not able > rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such > a question." > > http://raythestray.blogspot.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > "On two occasions...I have been asked, 'Pray, Mr Babbage, if you put into > the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able > rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such > a question." > > http://raythestray.blogspot.com > > > > > > > > > > -- "On two occasions...I have been asked, 'Pray, Mr Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." http://raythestray.blogspot.com ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~
