Patching using Fixlets

You can select the action for the appropriate Fixlets that you want to deploy from the BigFix console. Patches are applied based on the settings that you make in the Fixlet work area and the Take Action dialog.

Before you begin

  • Ensure that you are subscribed to the following Fixlet sites:
    • Patches for Mac OS X
    • Updates for Mac Applications
    • Patching Support
  • Familiarize yourself with the different patching methods available for Mac OS X. See Patching methods.

Procedure

  1. From the Patch Management domain, click OS Vendors > Apple Mac OS X.
  2. In the content that is displayed in the list panel, click the Fixlet that you want to deploy. The Fixlet opens in the work area.
    Figure 1. Fixlet and Tasks List panel for the Patches for Mac OS X site

    Fixlet and Tasks List panel for the Patches for Mac OS X site
  3. Click the tabs at the top of the window to review details about the Fixlet.
  4. Click Take Action to deploy the Fixlet. You can also click the appropriate link in the Actions box.
    Important: If you choose to deploy the patches through Apple Software Update, ensure that the endpoints have continuous internet connection to successfully install the updates.
  5. You can set more parameters in the Take Action dialog.

    For detailed information about setting parameters with the Take Action dialog, see the BigFix Console Operator's Guide.

  6. Click OK.

Results

The action propagates across your network, installing the designated patch on the computers that you specified and according to the schedule that you selected. You can monitor and graph the results of this action to see exactly which computers were remediated to ensure compliance.