What's new in this release

Learn what's new in BigFix Scanner.

Note: Use the BigFix Scanner site for the current and future updates. Refresh the License Overview Dashboard, enable the new site, and subscribe to the endpoints.

Updates in version 11.0.42.0

Products and published sites: BigFix Scanner update 11.0.42.0, version 10

Features available in the current release:

  • Technical equivalent to IBM Common Inventory Technology component v9.2.42.
  • Response to Idea BFINV-I-424: Support for new signatures with JAR file inspection
    • Solution integrated into the Wscan scanning engine.
    • Inspection Depth: Scans are performed at Level 1 only; nested JAR files within an archive are not inspected in this version.
  • Technical Preview: Service component for MAC OS to collect device metrics for BigFix solutions
    • Use the Activate/Deactivate Preview Features fixlets to Install/Uninstall Scanner Service on macOS - Re-activated the Preview Feature fixlets for the installation and uninstallation of the Scanner Service on macOS. This update provides administrators with streamlined, automated control over scanner deployment and removal specifically for macOS endpoints.
    • Note: No support for Wscan component on MAC OS
  • Support for new systems
  • For more information about the supported systems, refer to the BigFix Scanner documentation https://help.hcl-software.com/bigfix/11.0/BigFix_Scanner/BigFix_Scanner/Installation/supported_managed_devices.html
  • All Windows-based executables transitioned to a new Code Signing Certificate
  • Selected scanner fixes.

To view the details related to the preview feature and scanner defects that were fixed in this update, refer to the release notes https://support.bigfix.com/scanner/BigFix-Scanner-11.0.42.0-ReleaseNotes.pdf.

The BigFix team published a set of articles explaining the change related to the new Scanner site, scanner naming, versioning, common and product specific fixlets. For details refer to the BigFix Scanner documentation.

Actions needed

Run the Install or Upgrade scanner Fixlet from the BigFix Scanner site to install or upgrade both the Service and Wscan components. Deploying default BigFix Scanner needs installing additional Windows service. Run the Install or Upgrade Scanner - Wscan Only Fixlet to install or upgrade the Wscan component. The complete upgrade procedure is available at Upgrading the scanner.

Updates in version 11.0.41.1

Products and published sites: BigFix Scanner update 11.0.41.1, version 8

As part of the Continuous Development process the BigFix Scanner team localized areas for improvements for the new Service component. This update offers a fix to mitigate identified memory leak issues and enhanced stabilization of the service.

To view the details related to the preview features and scanner defects that were fixed in this update, refer to the release notes.

Actions needed

Run the Install or Upgrade scanner Fixlet from the BigFix Scanner site to install or upgrade both Service and Wscan components. If the Service component is not used then no action is needed. The complete upgrade procedure and post-upgrade steps are available at Upgrading the scanner.

Updates in version 11.0.40.0

Products and published sites: BigFix Scanner update 11.0.40.0, version 7

Features available in the current release:

  • BigFix Scanner service collects additional device metrics on Windows to support BigFix solutions like file system scan for the BigFix Inventory. The BigFix solution configures the service automatically and no further actions are required. BigFix solutions may require specific BigFix Scanner versions to support new functionality. In case of product function using the BigFix Scanner refer to the official BigFix product documentation.
  • Technical equivalent to IBM Common Inventory Technology component v9.2.41.
  • Hardware Detection of IBM Power 11 Processors (Capacity Scan Only)
  • Support for new systems for managed devices
    • Linux on ix86 (32-bit) to support in particular TinyCore Linux.
Note: BigFix Scanner Service is supported on Windows 10 or higher and Windows Server 2016 or higher.

For more information about the supported systems, refer to the Supported operating systems.

  • Serviceability enhancements
    • Wscan skips evaluation of catalog signatures which are wildcards only. The scanner priority is to assure main functions are operational without memory-related failures, even when using large catalogs.
  • Selected scanner fixes.

To view the details related to the preview feature and scanner defects that were fixed in this update, refer to the release notes

Actions needed

Run the Install or Upgrade scanner Fixlet from the BigFix Scanner site to install or upgrade both Service and Wscan components.

Deploying default BigFix Scanner means installing additional Windows service. Check with the IT teams rollout of this across the environment. Some systems might monitor introducing new service on Windows endpoints and trigger alerts.

Run the Install or Upgrade Scanner - Wscan Only Fixlet to install or upgrade the Wscan component.

Updates in version 11.0.40.0

Products and published sites: BigFix Scanner update 11.0.40.0, version 6

Features available in the current release:

  • The Windows File System Cache was enhanced with new capabilities.
    • BigFix Scanner Service with the new file system monitoring is now a standard feature (previously available as a technical preview feature) with the upgrade process supported.
    • File System Monitoring for Windows is now enhanced with USN Journal-based monitoring of NTFS filesystem
    • New Install or Upgrade Scanner Fixlet covers both scanner components - Service and Wscan
    • New BigFix Scanner Service restore from backup (Windows) Fixlet

    This Fixlet can be used in case of upgrade issues to restore the previous service version and its database from a backup created in the initial step of the upgrade process.

    • New BigFix Scanner Service Restart/Stop/Start Fixlet
    • Original Fixlet 1 Install or Upgrade Scanner has been renamed and it continues to cover Wscan component only.
    • The Activate/Deactivate Preview Features Fixlets are not relevant in this update, as no preview features are available.
    • Technically equivalent to IBM Common Inventory Technology component version 9.2.40.
    • Selected scanner fixes.

To view the complete list of new features and defects that were fixed in this update, refer to the release notes at https://support.bigfix.com/scanner/BigFix-Scanner-11.0.39.0-ReleaseNotes.pdf.

Actions needed:

If the BigFix Scanner site is not visible, then execute the following steps.

  1. Refresh the BigFix license to get access to the new site. Follow the procedure described in Extending the license entitlements.
  2. Enable the BigFix Scanner site.
  3. Subscribe the site to 'All Computers.'

After the BigFix Scanner Site refresh, run the one-time action: 'Create Scanner Wrapper for Scanner version 11.0.0.0 (9.2.35) or lower' for all relevant endpoints. If this action was already run during the previous update, then it can be ignored now. This action enables the use of the new BigFix Scanner site content, including Analysis. Then follow the standard install and upgrade procedure using the Install or Upgrade scanner fixlet from the BigFix Scanner site.

The complete upgrade procedure and post-upgrade steps are available at Upgrading the scanner.

For more information about how to install, maintain, and use the BigFix Scanner, refer to BigFix Scanner overview.

Updates in version 11.0.39.0

Products and published sites: BigFix Scanner update 11.0.39, version 5

Note: Use the new BigFix Scanner site for this and the future updates. Refresh the License Overview Dashboard, enable the new site, and subscribe to the endpoints.

Review the next BigFix Inventory application announcements for related updates.

Features available in the current release:

  • The preview of the new Windows File System Cache was enhanced with new capabilities.
    • SMART cache update synchronized with changes discovered for installed packages
    • Default Cache Refresh Interval changed from 1 to 4 hours
    • Scan statistics added for BigFix applications to monitor

    The Activate Preview Features fixlet is available to enable the preview feature. This optional task is not applicable for the previous versions of the Scanner.

  • New Fixlet to configure CPU threshold for the WSCAN component
  • Selected scanner fixes

To view the complete list of new features and defects that were fixed in this update, refer to the release notes https://support.bigfix.com/scanner/BigFix-Scanner-11.0.39.0-ReleaseNotes.pdf.

Actions needed:

If the BigFix Scanner site is not visible, then execute the following steps.

  1. Refresh the BigFix license to get access to the new site. Follow the procedure described in Extending the license entitlements.
  2. Enable the BigFix Scanner site.
  3. Subscribe the site to 'All Computers.'

After the BigFix Scanner Site refresh, run the one-time action: 'Create Scanner Wrapper for Scanner version 11.0.0.0 (9.2.35) or lower' for all relevant endpoints. If this action was already run during the previous update, then it can be ignored now. This action enables the use of the new BigFix Scanner site content, including Analysis. Then follow the standard install and upgrade procedure using the Install or Upgrade scanner fixlet from the BigFix Scanner site.

The complete upgrade procedure and post-upgrade steps are available at Upgrading the scanner.

For more information about how to install, maintain, and use the BigFix Scanner, refer to BigFix Scanner overview.

Updates in version 11.0.38.1

Products and published sites: BigFix Scanner update 11.0.38.1, version 4

Features available in the current release

  • Preview of the new Windows File System Cache to be used by existing BigFix Inventory actions.
  • New Fixlet to install scanner version 9.2.35 with support for Linux systems with older versions of glibc.so.6 and libstdc++ libraries.
  • Selected scanner fixes.

To view the complete list of new features and defects that were fixed in this update, refer to the release notes: https://support.bigfix.com/scanner/BigFix-Scanner-11.0.38.1-ReleaseNotes.pdf.

The BigFix team published a set of articles explaining the change related to the new Scanner site, scanner naming, versioning, common and product specific fixlets. For details refer to the release notes or the BigFix Scanner documentation.

Actions needed

If the BigFix Scanner site is not visible, then execute the following steps.

  1. Refresh the BigFix license to get access to the new site. Follow the procedure described in Extending the license entitlements.
  2. Enable the BigFix Scanner site.
  3. Subscribe the site to 'All Computers.'

After the BigFix Scanner Site refresh, run the one-time action: 'Create Scanner Wrapper for Scanner version 11.0.0.0 (9.2.35) or lower' for all relevant endpoints. If this action was already run during the previous update, then it can be ignored now. This action enables the use of the new BigFix Scanner site content, including Analysis. Then follow the standard install and upgrade procedure using the Install or Upgrade scanner fixlet from the BigFix Scanner site.

The complete upgrade procedure and post-upgrade steps are available at Upgrading the scanner.

For more information about how to install, maintain, and use the BigFix Scanner, refer to BigFix Scanner overview

Updates in version 11.0.38.0

Products and published sites: BigFix Scanner update 11.0.38.0, version 3

Features available in the current release

  • BigFix Scanner version 11.0.38.0 is available under the new BigFix Scanner site.
  • Technical equivalent to IBM Common Inventory Technology component version 9.2.38.
  • Support for Windows Server 2025

To view the complete list of new features and defects that were fixed in this update, refer to the release notes: https://support.bigfix.com/scanner/BigFix-Scanner-11.0.38.0-ReleaseNotes.pdf.

The BigFix team published a set of articles explaining the change related to the new Scanner site, scanner naming, versioning, common and product specific fixlets. For details refer to the release notes or the BigFix Scanner documentation.

Actions needed

If the BigFix Scanner site is not visible, then execute the following steps.

  1. Refresh the BigFix license to get access to the new site. Follow the procedure described in Extending the license entitlements.
  2. Enable the BigFix Scanner site.
  3. Subscribe the site to 'All Computers.'

After the BigFix Scanner Site refresh, run the one-time action: 'Create Scanner Wrapper for Scanner version 11.0.0.0 (9.2.35) or lower' for all relevant endpoints. If this action was already run during the previous update, then it can be ignored now. This action enables the use of the new BigFix Scanner site content, including Analysis. Then follow the standard install and upgrade procedure using the Install or Upgrade scanner fixlet from the BigFix Scanner site.

The complete upgrade procedure and post-upgrade steps are available at Upgrading the scanner.

For more information about how to install, maintain, and use the BigFix Scanner, refer to BigFix Scanner overview

Updates in version 11.0.37.0

Products and published sites

BigFix Scanner update 11.0.37.0, version 2

Features available in the current release

Key features in this update:

  • BigFix Scanner v11.0.37.0 is available under the new BigFix Scanner site
  • The new BigFix Scanner package is available for Linux on SystemZ / s390
  • Technical equivalent to IBM Common Inventory Technology component v9.2.37
  • BigFix Inventory site content for scanner installation, upgrade, uninstallation, configuration, and troubleshooting was moved under the new BigFix Scanner site

With this change, the scanner can be shared with other BigFix solutions and is enabled for independent delivery in the future.

To view the complete list of new features and defects that were fixed in this update, refer to the release notes.

Actions needed

For a smooth transition to the new BigFix Scanner and new scan actions, implement the steps in the sequence as listed below.
  1. Run the one-time action: Create Scanner Wrapper for Scanner version 11.0.0.0 or lower fixlet for all relevant endpoints. This is to assure the previous scanner version can be used by actions and analysis until the scanner is updated to the new HCL BigFix Scanner. This step can be ignored if it was already run with the previous update or the scanner is already upgraded to 11.0.36.0 or higher.
  2. Update all scan-related actions to version 11.0.37.0.

    Check if the action from step 1 is complete to assure the previous scanner versions continue to work with the new actions.

  3. Upgrade the BigFix Scanner.

    After scan-related actions are updated to version 11.0.37.0, run the Install or Upgrade scanner fixlet from the BigFix console and the new BigFix Scanner site.