Deployment Solution

I am trying to create a task which will install some hotfixes on a Windows server every month. Several reboots may be required, but will vary depending on the month's hotfix requirements. What I need to setup is a loop where the script will execute, run the hotfix installs, and reboot if necessary; after reboot, repeat again until all hotfixes are installed and no more reboots are remaining. How can I setup a loop like this so the Altiris task will continue executing until all of the reboots are done?

Thanks!

In my "old" days, when there was no such thing as Altiris Patch Management or other solution as WIndows Update (considering I think it is not a solution at all), I remember there were about 5 types of installation protocols for patches and updates available from M$.  Every one of them you had to approach differently.  But with all of them it was possible to delay the reboot and go for the next one.  When all were installed, the reboot was done in a controlled fashion (as it always should be).

We use a distribution environment where one could create a max of 5 (or was it ten?...) reboots in one script.  Command was "Reboot 1", the system did a reboot and it returned after the reboot to the point where it left at the label ":Reboot1".  But that was a propriety thing (CCM/iCommand/Livestate).  Going to Altiris in some situations I came across clients without Patch Manament but in need for a solution like yours.  We created a process that copied the needed script for all patches and updates and run that script in the runonce over and over again untill everything was installed using the same technique.  But again, that is not always needed as you should be able to postpone 99% of all reboots with the standard msi commands to do so.

Hoped it put you on the right track.
Happy Scripting ;-)

Thanks for your thoughts. Since I am installing these hotfixes in a chain of other jobs, the tricky part is how to get the Altiris hotfix install job to stay executing until all of the reboots are finished, and then return control to Altiris to resume and go to the next job. Although, I've just recalled QChain which purports to install all hotfixes in a given session with one final reboot. If this is still supported it could be another avenue to a solution.

Actually, upon reviewing this it's not clear it will work with the most recent 2008 server versions. But, I am relying on WSUS to install patches and QChain would imply I am manually handling the packaging of all hotfixes.

Where I would really like to end up is a hybrid approach with WSUS and Altiris DS. I schedule an install task which downloads and installs WSUS patches; inevitably some number of reboots is required to install all the patches, and on each reboot I download and install the next batch; when finished, control transfers back to Altiris to acknowledge the job is complete, and then I can move on to the next job I want to execute.