Business Hours vs. Maintenance Windows with System Center 2012 Configuration Manager
What Are Maintenance Windows?
Maintenance windows are scheduled periods of time when IT can perform maintenance tasks on systems without affecting business operations or availability. In System Center 2012 Configuration Manager, maintenance windows enable you to control when specific tasks are available to run. This includes software updates, software deployments, operating system deployments, and other tasks. Maintenance windows can be used to ensure that IT has the necessary time to perform maintenance tasks without affecting other business activities.
What Are Business Hours?
Business hours are periods of time when the business is open and available to customers. In System Center 2012 Configuration Manager, business hours enable you to control when specific tasks are available to run. This includes software deployments, operating system deployments, software updates, and other tasks. Business hours can be used to ensure that IT has the necessary time to perform critical tasks without affecting other business activities.
What Are the Benefits of Using Maintenance Windows and Business Hours?
The use of maintenance windows and business hours can help IT organizations better manage their systems and ensure that critical tasks are performed without affecting business operations. By using maintenance windows and business hours, IT can better control when tasks are available to run, helping to ensure that tasks are performed in a timely manner and that there is no interference with other business activities.
How Are Maintenance Windows and Business Hours Configured?
Maintenance windows and business hours can be configured in System Center 2012 Configuration Manager via the Configuration Manager console. To configure maintenance windows, select the Maintenance Windows tab in the Configuration Manager console and create a new maintenance window. You can specify the start time, duration, and frequency of the maintenance window. You can also specify the tasks that should be included in the maintenance window.
To configure business hours, select the Business Hours tab in the Configuration Manager console and create a new business hour. You can specify the start time, duration, and frequency of the business hour. You can also specify the tasks that should be included in the business hour.
Conclusion
Maintenance windows and business hours are important tools for IT organizations to help them manage their systems and ensure that critical tasks are performed without affecting business operations. By using maintenance windows and business hours, IT can better control when tasks are available to run, helping to ensure that tasks are performed in a timely manner and that there is no interference with other business activities.
