Create a patch group

Patch groups allow you to organize and manage nodes that require similar patching schedules and policies. By grouping nodes, you can efficiently apply updates and maintain consistency across your infrastructure. Nodes must be part of a patch group before they can be patched.

To create a patch group:

1. From the PE console navigation bar, select Patch Groups.
2. Click Add patch group.
3. In the Patch group information section, add a name and description (optional) for your patch group.
4. Select Next: Select nodes.
5. Create a patch group with dynamic (rule-based) membership, pinned membership, or both.

   The following table describes how patch group membership is determined for nodes in different scenarios.

   A node can only be part of one patch group at a time.

   Scenario	Result
   A node is pinned to a patch group.	The node is assigned exclusively to that group. Fact-based rules for dynamic membership do not apply to the node.
   A node is already pinned to one patch group and then pinned to a different one.	The node is automatically removed from the original group and assigned to the new one.
   A node is not pinned and matches a single patch group through fact-based rules.	The node is dynamically assigned to the patch group.
   A node is not pinned and matches more than one patch group through fact-based rules.	The node may move between matching groups. This reassignment occurs at patch job runtime.

6. 1. Dynamic membership: To create fact-based rules to dynamically include nodes in a group, select a fact from the drop-down menu and click Add fact.

   2. Pinned membership: To select nodes you want to permanently pin to your patch group, select one of the four available methods from the drop-down menu:

      • Classification node group

      • Fact match

      • Manual selection

      • PQL query

   Pinned nodes are assigned exclusively to their patch group and ignore dynamic rules. They remain in the group unless manually removed or re-pinned to another group.

7. Select Next: Assign maintenance window.

8. Filter maintenance windows by name and select Apply.
9. Check the maintenance window(s) and click Add selected windows.
10. Select Next: Assign blackout window.
11. Filter blackout windows by name and select Apply.
12. Check the blackout window(s) and click Add selected windows.
13. Select Add patch group.

What to do next

From the PE console navigation bar, select System updates to:

• View what patch groups need patched.
• Apply patches for nodes that have been configured for patching.