In this recipe, we will configure VCM to synchronize patch metadata with Microsoft so that we can select one or more patches and check the compliance of our infrastructure. If VCM detects non-compliance, we can deploy the patches.
We will need a fully deployed VCM server to work on this recipe. In order to use VCM for patching, we need Internet access to download patches from Microsoft onto the VCM Collector server. We should have proxy details available, such as IP address, port name, and user credentials. If you are on a secure network, make sure you have Internet access, at least to https://www.microsoft.com/ and http://www.vmware.com/.
Firewall requirements are discussed in the vRealize Configuration Manager port and protocol summary section of Chapter 1, Installing VCM.