Big Fix Client
On this page:
New (1/15/08)
BigFix users can participate in the Stanford Power Management program. You can reduce your carbon footprint, save energy, and even be eligible to participate in a PG&E rebate program. See http://sustainable.stanford.edu/bigfix.html for more details on the program. After installing BigFix on your Windows computer you can participate by downloading the Stanford Power Management Tool.
Description
Stanford has acquired a centralized operating system patch management service called BigFix. This service enables both local and central technical support staff to deploy critical security patches to Windows PCs across campus — as soon as they're made available by Microsoft and tested at Stanford — in a more consistent and reliable way than was possible till now.
BigFix is a "client-based" service. For your Windows PC to participate in the BigFix service, you must install the small client program available for download on this page. The BigFix software on your PC then communicates with Stanford's BigFix server, and determines whether your computer needs any critical security updates or other patches.
Once the Stanford BigFix administrators have tested and released a patch from Microsoft, the BigFix service will automatically distribute and apply the patch to any client PCs that need it.
Anyone who uses a Windows PC for Stanford-related business, including home users who have Stanford DSL, should install the BigFix client software.
The distribution and installation of patches occurs after thorough testing and follows a rigorous but rapid process: typically 4 to 7 days will elapse from the time Microsoft releases a patch until the Stanford BigFix site administrators deploy it campus-wide. If you have local technical support, your local BigFix administrators may deploy patches after an even briefer testing period.
In order to assure reliable patch distribution only to the appropriate client PCs, the central BigFix server collects small amounts of inventory information about your computer, such as IP address, Windows version, and data concerning the presence or absence of critical security patches. Please see the comprehensive BigFix FAQ for more information.
System Requirements
- Supported Operating Systems:
Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home, Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0*, Windows ME (Millennium Edition)*, Windows 98 Second Edition*, all upgraded to the latest Service Pack level.
- Download file size: 7.48 MB
* IT Services no longer supports Windows 95/98/Me/NT.
Notes
- BigFix is not a "total solution" to the problem of computer security. It will help to ensure that Windows PCs connected to the Stanford network receive critical patches in a timely way; but it's very important that you, as a user of Windows, take other steps to maintain your computer securely. The Stanford Security Self-Help tool, available on the Essential Stanford Software site, will help you to make your computer more secure.
- If you are currently using Windows Automatic Updates to keep your operating system patched, you may continue to use it in conjunction with the BigFix service. While BigFix is always more reliable, depending on circumstances, Automatic Updates may be able to patch your system before Stanford's patch testing and approval process has completed and the BigFix site administrators deploy patches centrally.
- The BigFix client software requires that a port be opened in any hardware or software personal firewalls that you may be using. The BigFix Client Installation Instructions provide additional information.
