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Windows Update agent state

2readings
2conditions
1themes fed
Plannedstatus

Whether this host is scanning, paused, or falling behind on updates.

Topic id: windows_update_agent_state.

This topic is still rolling out. Endpoints on the general release do not send it yet.

Conditions

A condition is a state that holds for a while. The agent opens it when the host enters it, keeps it open while it lasts, and closes it when the host comes back out, so one episode answers for the whole stretch instead of one alert per sample.

ConditionSeverityHow an episode ends
update scan is stale (patch_scan_stale)WarningIt closes when the measurement falls back past its recovery point.
updates paused (patch_updates_paused)Notice to ErrorIt closes when any one of the several recovery conditions is met.

Example

Inventory (every 6 hours)

windows update posture.

sparklogs.data.windows_update_agent_state.updates_paused: false
sparklogs.data.windows_update_agent_state.wuauserv_start_type: auto_delayed
sparklogs.data.windows_update_agent_state.last_scan_age_h: 6.0

SparkLogs: CONTEXT, Info, windows_update_agent_state: INVENTORY: windows update posture.

Selected conditions

patch_scan_stale

Windows Update scan data is stale.

Impact: Patch status may be unknown and pending updates may be missed.

Example

started; last scan 700.08h (threshold 336h)

sparklogs.data.windows_update_agent_state.last_scan_age_h: 700.08

SparkLogs: patch_scan_stale, Warning, windows_update_agent_state: patch_scan_stale: NOTABLE: started; last scan 700.08h (threshold 336h)

CaseSeverityTicket class
onsetTrace to Fatalpatching
heldTrace to Fatalpatching
recoveredTrace to Fatalpatching

patch_updates_paused

Windows Updates are paused for too long.

Impact: Security and reliability updates may be deferred past policy intent.

Example

started; paused for 504.08h (threshold 336h)

sparklogs.data.windows_update_agent_state.updates_paused: true
sparklogs.data.windows_update_agent_state.updates_paused_age_h: 504.08

SparkLogs: patch_updates_paused, Error, windows_update_agent_state: patch_updates_paused: NOTABLE: started; paused for 504.08h (threshold 336h)

CaseSeverityTicket class
onsetTrace to Fatalpatching
heldTrace to Fatalpatching
recoveredTrace to Fatalpatching