Creating a task from the Tasks area

  • From the top menu, select Tasks. A list opens and shows all created tasks and their status.

  • Click the Add task button. From the drop-down menu, select a task type. A page opens for you to enter the task details. This page is divided into multiple areas:

    • Overview (1): Task name and description.

    • Recipients (2): Computers that receive the task.

    • Schedule (3): Task schedule (day and time the task runs).

    • Settings (4): Specify the actions the task must take. This section varies based on the task type and is described in the documentation associated with the related module.

Overview of the New Task page for a scan task

Task recipients (2)

To access the computer selection page, you must first save the task. If you have not saved the task, a warning message is shown.

  • In the Recipients section, click the No recipients selected yet link. A page opens where you can select the computers that you want to receive the configured task.

  • Select the types of computers that will receive the task: Workstation, Laptop, Server, or Mobile device. The type of computer that can receive a task depends on the task to run.

  • Click the button to add individual computers or computer groups. Click the button to remove them.

    If you are configuring a patch installation task and want to send it to test computers only, enable the Run the task only on test computerstoggle. This option is applicable only to service providers who have CYTOMIC Nexus. For more information, see Cytomic Patch features

  • On the Edit task page, click the View computers button to view the computers that will receive the task.

Task schedule and frequency

You can configure these parameters:

  • Starts: Indicates the task start date/time.

Value Description

As soon as possible (selected)

The task runs immediately provided the computer is available (turned on and accessible from the cloud), or as soon as it becomes available within the time interval specified in the If the computer is turned off section

As soon as possible (cleared)

The task runs on the date selected in the calendar. Specify whether the time is based on the computer local time or the Advanced EDR server time.

If the computer is turned off

If the computer is turned off or cannot be accessed, the task does not run. The task scheduler enables you to establish the task expiration time, from 0 (the task expires immediately if the computer is not available) to infinite (the task is always active and waits indefinitely for the computer to be available).

  • Do not run: The task is immediately canceled if the computer is not available at the scheduled time.

  • Run the task as soon as possible, within: Define a time interval during which the task will run if the computer becomes available.

  • Run when the computer is turned on: There is no time limit. The system waits indefinitely for the computer to be available to run the task.

Task execution parameters

  • Maximum run time: Indicates the maximum time that the task can take to complete. After that time, the task is canceled returning an error.

Value Description

No limit

There is no time limit for the task to complete.

1, 2, 8, or 24 hours

There is a time limit for the task to complete. After that time, if the task has not finished, it is canceled returning an error.

Task duration parameters

  • Frequency: Set a repeat interval (every day, week, month, or year) from the date specified in the Starts: field.

Value Description

One time

The task runs only once at the time specified in the Starts: field.

Daily

The task runs every day at the time specified in the Starts: field.

Weekly

Use the checkboxes to select the days of the week on which the task must run, at the time specified in the Starts: field.

Monthly

Choose an option:

  • Run the task on a specific day of every month. If you select the 29th, 30th, or 31st of the month, and the month does not have that day, the task runs on the last day of the month.

  • Run the task on the first, second, third, fourth, or last Monday to Sunday of every month.

Task frequency parameters

Lower versions of the security software

If the recipient computers have a lower version of the security software installed, they might not correctly interpret frequency settings. Computers with lower versions of the security software interpret the task frequency settings as follows:

  • Daily tasks: Unchanged.

  • Weekly tasks: Recipient computers ignore the days selected in the task by the administrator in the latest software. The first run occurs on the specified start date and then runs again every 7 days.

  • Monthly tasks: Recipient computers ignore the days selected in the task by the administrator in the latest software. The first run occurs on the specified start date and then runs again every 30 days.

Task publication

After you create and configure a task, it appears in the list of configured tasks. The status shows as Unpublished and it is not yet active.

To publish a task, click the Publish button. The task is added to the Advanced EDR task scheduler, which runs it based on its settings.