Set up additional Automation Server role to manage geographically-distributed networks

If your managed computers are spread out across a geographically-distributed network, install an Automation Server on a duplicate WSUS server or a dedicated desktop system in each remote location.

Additionally, you can install a separate Automation Server to offload task management from the PAS. Use the following configuration if the PAS cannot complete tasks quickly enough due to the number of managed clients in the local network. In this configuration, the Automation Server on the PAS provides a backup for the secondary Automation Server.

Create an Automation Server routing rule for this example

Use the Absolute Rule option to instruct Patch Manager to abandon a task if none of the Automation Servers you explicitly define for a location are online.

1. Log in to the Patch Manager Administrator Console as an administrator.
2. In the navigation pane, expand Patch Manager System Configuration > Management Groups.
3. Select the targeted management group for the configuration rule.
4. In the center pane, click the Automation Server Routing Rules tab.
5. In the Actions pane, click Add Subnet Rule.
6. Complete the Add TCP/IP Subnets dialog box.
   1. In the IP Address field, enter the subnet IP address.
   2. In the Subnet Mask menu, select the subnet mask.
   3. Modify the Starting Address or Ending Address fields as necessary.
   4. In the Description field, enter a description for the subnet.
   5. Click Add Subnet.
   6. Repeat these steps for any additional subnets.
7. Click OK.
8. Complete the Select Automation Server(s) for routing rule and rule type dialog box.
   1. Select the additional Automation role servers.
   2. Select Absolute Rule.
   3. Click OK.