Sample plan: Microsoft® Windows® 2008 Release 2 to Microsoft® Windows® 2012 Release 2 Cluster - OS patching (Non-Baseline from Site Sample)

This sample Automation Plan provides you with a template to automate patching of clusters with Microsoft® Windows® Servers 2008 Release 2 and later operating systems. There are two phases in this plan, in the first phase, which runs from steps 1 to 4, you patch the first node or group of nodes in the cluster. For each of the steps in this phase, you target the first node or group of nodes. While these nodes are being patched, the second nodes remain operational. The second phase of the plan is a repeat of the first phase, except that you are targeting the second node or group of nodes in the cluster. The cluster remains operational throughout the patching process. All sample plans are read-only. To use a sample plan, you must copy it, re-name it, and then update the placeholder Fixlets with Fixlets, Tasks, or Baselines as per your requirements.

About this task

This sample plan runs advanced Server Automation Tasks. A single Task prepares the environment for patching. The patches are then applied and the targets are restarted in the next two steps. Another Server Automation Task then restores the cluster to its pre-patching state.

For more detailed information about patching Windows clusters, see Automating patching of operating systems in Microsoft Windows clusters.

Complete the following steps to run the sample Automation Plan.

Procedure

  1. Open the Server Automation domain.
  2. From the navigation tree in the Domain Panel, click Automation Plans.
  3. In the Automation Plans dashboard, enter 132 for the plan ID and press Enter.
  4. Select the sample plan from the list of Automation Plans.
  5. Click Copy to copy the Automation Plan, enter a name and then save the copy that you have just created.
  6. To run the copied Automation Plan, click Take Action. The following table shows the parameters and targets that you need to input for each step in the sample Automation Plan.
    Table 1. Plan steps and parameters and targets

    Step Description Parameters and targets
    Step 1 Pre Patching Task for Non Hyper-V Clustered Microsoft Servers (Version 2008 R2 onwards) This Task prepares the targeted nodes for patching. It compiles a list of all groups and virtual machines, pauses the targeted node, and moves any groups from the node. Target the first node or group of nodes in the cluster. There are no parameters required.
    Step 2 Placeholder for OS or Application Patches (REPLACE ME) This Task is a placeholder for the patching Fixlet or Baseline that you want to use to patch the cluster. Target the first node or group of nodes in the cluster.
    Step 3 Restart Endpoint on Pending Restart and Wait for Restart to Complete This step restarts the first node or group of nodes in the cluster that you are patching. Only endpoints in a Pending Restart state will be restarted. Target the first node or group of nodes in the cluster.
    Step 4 Post Patching Task for Microsoft Server Clusters (Server 2008 R2 onwards including Hyper-V Clusters) This step restores the first nodes or group of nodes that you are patching to their original state. Target the first node or group of nodes in the cluster.
    Step 5 Pre Patching Task for Non Hyper-V Clustered Microsoft Servers (Version 2008 R2 onwards) This Task prepares the targeted nodes for patching. It compiles a list of all groups and virtual machines, pauses the targeted node, and moves any groups from the node. Target the second node or group of nodes in the cluster.
    Step 6 Placeholder for OS or Application Patches (REPLACE ME) This Task is a placeholder for the patching Fixlet or Baseline that you want to use to patch the cluster. Target the second node or group of nodes in the cluster.
    Step 7 Restart Endpoint on Pending Restart and Wait for Restart to Complete This step restarts the second node or group of nodes in the cluster that you are patching. Only endpoints in a Pending Restart state will be restarted. Target the second node or group of nodes in the cluster.
    Step 8 Post Patching Task for Microsoft Server Clusters (Server 2008 R2 onwards including Hyper-V Clusters) This step restores the second nodes or group of nodes that you are patching to their original state. Target the second node or group of nodes in the cluster.
  7. Click OK to run the Automation Plan.