How to start a Patch software update cycle from the command line?

ITMS 8.x

Patch Management 8.x

Question
How can I manually start a software update cycle from the command line?

Answer

Patch Management Solution X.X installs with a utility called AexPatchUtil.exe, on the client, which will allow you to manually initiate Patch Management Solution processes via a command line:

The tool is located in C:\Program Files\Altiris\Altiris Agent\Agents\PatchMgmtAgent.
-Altiris (R) Software Update Agent
-Copyright (C) Altiris Corp. 2004-2005 - Symantec Incorporated. All rights reserved.

The command-line syntax are as follows:

Software Update Agent Command Line Interface

AeXPatchUtil [/i] [/Xa] [/reboot] [/C]
/I       Run All Inventory
/Xa      Start Software Update Cycle
/reboot  reboot only if the Software Update Agent requires a reboot
/C       Update agent policies
/q       Run in quiet mode. No user input required.
/?       Usage Screen
Press any key to continue . . .

NOTE: Tool runs these commands for all supported versions of Patch Management; however, if the AeXPatchUtil.exe /i (returning Patch Inventories) is needed for PM 8.x; you may run the Windows System Assessment Scan to force that inventory back as detailed in troubleshooting Patch Inventories