Body
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
3. Setup for Azure Cloud Infrastructure
- Requirements:
- Azure virtual machines (VMs) or other resources.
- Azure subscription with Update Management enabled.
- Steps:
- Enable Update Management in the Azure portal.
- This has been completed access here
- Configure update schedules and maintenance windows.
- This has been completed already
- Install the AMA agent on VMs if not already installed.
- Verify connectivity and synchronization with Azure ARC and Azure Update Services in Azure Portal
- Azure Policy will be created to automate the above
4. Maintenance Procedures
- Monthly Update Process:
- This will follow the USD patching methodology
- Access the Azure portal and navigate to Update Management.
- Review compliance status to identify missing updates.
- Schedule update deployments for on-premises and cloud resources.
- Monitor update deployment progress and any errors or warnings.
- Review post-update reports and perform any necessary follow-up actions.
- Run ad-hoc update evaluations
- Run ad-hoc update jobs
- 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
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.