Altiris Administrative Tasks

Compiled by several of XCEND’s experienced technical consultants, this valuable guide is designed to give Altiris administrators a single-page overview of the most important tasks that must be maintained on a regularbasis.

Daily

1. Check infrastructure health (i.e. site servers, package servers, etc.), looking for pending packages.
2. Check agent reports and develop remediation plan (clients without the appropriate agent).
3. Run reports looking for duplicate guids, duplicate machine names. Remediate as soon as possible.
4. Look for errors\trends in the log files (use the logviewer).

Weekly

1. Clear the EvtQueue and EvtQFast “Bad” folders. These files can be reprocessed; there will be no lost data. Look for trends, such as the ‘missing policy’ troubleshooting.
2. Ensure a full backup of the SQL database.  Both eXpress, Altiris, Symantec_CMDB, etc.
3. Disable unused software delivery tasks (do not delete).
4. Check MS Patch compliance reports, look for trends.
5. Check Client Status – Retired\Active.
6. Review IIS Logs (enable).
7. Possible Split of App Pool when actively using Patch Management.
8. Ensure a full backup of Server shares critical for your business (Express, Nscap, and other critical shares like Images, Patches, Applications,etc).

 Monthly

1. Execute remediation plans for agents.
2. Delete unused tasks, packages, and filters.
3. Run SQL Table reports, truncate (delete) evt tables where data is not critical.
4. Database Defrag and Optimization. Do not defrag or Optimize RS Database.
5. Check for Solution Updates.
6. Manage Software Updates for Patch Management(Test, Pilot, Rollout).

 Upgrades and Updates

1. Logon to the server, using the Terminal Services with the /console switch

With 2008\XP SP3\Vista SP1 the /console switch no longer works with MSTSC (to get to session ‘0’). You have to use /admin

http://blogs.msdn.com/ts/archive/2007/12/17/changes-to-remote-administration-in-windows-server-2008.aspx

2. After reviewing the documentation, and testing in a dev environment, you initiate the upgrade process for the desired solution, by clicking on update.

3. For troubleshooting Altiris agent issues the aexagentutil utility should be used.  Below is a screen capture of the possible commands.  The aexagentutil can be found in the c:\program files\altiris\altiris agent directory.  Run it from a DOS prompt.