Azure Update Manager Information, Setup, and Maintenance

Issue/Question

What is Azure Update Manager, how do we set it up, and how do we maintain it.

Environment

• Windows Updates
• Linux Updates
• Azure Update Manager
• Vulnerability Management
• Cloud

Cause

Effective and scalable update management on-prem, need for modernization, need for improved efficiencies 

Resolution

Azure Update Services Setup and Maintenance

1. Introduction

• Azure Update Manager is a comprehensive solution provided by Microsoft Azure for managing and applying updates to various components of our infrastructure, including virtual machines (VMs), on-premises servers, and other resources. The service aims to streamline the update process, ensuring that your systems remain secure, compliant, and optimized for performance.

  • Centralized Management: Azure Update Services provides a centralized platform for managing updates across diverse environments, including Azure cloud infrastructure, on-premises servers, and hybrid environments.

  • Patch Management: It enables automated patch management for operating systems (Windows and Linux), applications, and other software components, helping to mitigate vulnerabilities and protect against security threats.

  • Compliance Reporting: The service offers comprehensive reporting capabilities, allowing you to track the compliance status of your infrastructure and demonstrate adherence to regulatory requirements and internal policies.

  • Customizable Update Schedules: You can define flexible update schedules and maintenance windows based on your organization's needs, ensuring minimal disruption to operations during update deployment.

  • Integration with Azure Monitor: Azure Update Services seamlessly integrates with Azure Monitor, providing real-time visibility into update compliance, deployment status, and health monitoring of your infrastructure.

  • Automation and Remediation: It supports automation of update deployment tasks through PowerShell scripts, Azure Policy, or Azure Automation Runbooks, streamlining the update process and reducing manual intervention.

  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Role-based access control allows you to define granular permissions for managing update operations, ensuring that only authorized users can initiate and oversee update activities.

  • Support for Hybrid Environments: Azure Update Services extends its capabilities to hybrid environments by integrating with Azure Arc, enabling centralized management of on-premises servers alongside Azure resources.

2. Setup for On-Premises Infrastructure

• Requirements:
  • Azure Arc-enabled servers connected to on-premises infrastructure.
  • Azure subscription with Update Management enabled.
• Steps:
  1. Connect on-premises servers to Azure Arc.
     1. This will need to be done for all new servers
  2. Enable Update Management in the Azure portal
     1. This has already been completed access here
  3. Configure update schedules and maintenance windows.
     1. This has already been completed
  4. Install the AMA agent on on-premises servers if not already installed.
     1. This is generally automated in step 1
  5. Verify connectivity and synchronization with Azure ARC and Azure Update Services in Azure Portal
  6. Azure Policy will be created to automate the above

3. Setup for Azure Cloud Infrastructure

• Requirements:
  • Azure virtual machines (VMs) or other resources.
  • Azure subscription with Update Management enabled.
• Steps:
  1. Enable Update Management in the Azure portal.
     1. This has been completed access here
  2. Configure update schedules and maintenance windows.
     1. This has been completed already
  3. Install the AMA agent on VMs if not already installed.
  4. Verify connectivity and synchronization with Azure ARC and Azure Update Services in Azure Portal
  5. Azure Policy will be created to automate the above

4. Maintenance Procedures

• Monthly Update Process:
  1. This will follow the USD patching methodology
  2. Access the Azure portal and navigate to Update Management.
  3. Review compliance status to identify missing updates.
  4. Schedule update deployments for on-premises and cloud resources.
  5. Monitor update deployment progress and any errors or warnings.
  6. Review post-update reports and perform any necessary follow-up actions.
  7. Run ad-hoc update evaluations
  8. Run ad-hoc update jobs
• Troubleshooting:
  • Common issues during update deployment.
    • Resolving update failures or errors.
    • Reviewing logs and diagnostics for troubleshooting.

5. Best Practices

• Regularly review and adjust update schedules based on business needs.
• Ensure proper backup and disaster recovery procedures are in place before applying updates.
• Document and communicate maintenance windows and downtime expectations to stakeholders.

6. Conclusion

• Regular system patching is essential for enhancing security, reducing risks, meeting compliance requirements, optimizing performance, and ensuring business continuity.
• Effectiveness of patching will be reviewed monthly as part of the USD Vulnerability Management Program

7. Additional Resources

• Azure Update Manager– Patch Management | Microsoft Azure
• Azure Update Manager documentation | Microsoft Learn
• Azure Arc | Microsoft Learn
• Manage Azure updates - Training | Microsoft Learn

This documentation provides a structured guide for setting up and maintaining Azure Update Services for both on-premises and cloud infrastructure, ensuring that systems remain up-to-date and secure. It also includes instructions for running monthly updates and troubleshooting common issues.