On This Page
Overview
The scanning schedules allows you to set the data source to be scanned automatically based on a specific schedule. By default, a data sources will be set to scan when manually triggered. If you set a schedule for the data source, the scan will run automatically based on the criteria selected for the schedule.
Understanding the Schedule Options
There are multiple settings available to customize the scan schedule. Learn more about each option below.
Select a start date
Use this field to specify a starting date for the scan; the first scan will not run until this date. This allows you to assign a a data source to a policy but not have the scan start until a later date. This would be useful, for example, if you are adding multiple data sources to a policy but want the scans to run in waves rather than all at once. You can assign all the data sources to the policy at the same time and just set different starting dates. You only need to add a date to this field if you want the scan to start running on a date later than the date you are adding the schedule. Leave this field blank if you want the scans to start running immediately. This field can be used in combination with all other schedule fields.
Scan data source on
Use this field to specify which days of the week you want the scan to run. By default, all days are selected. You can clear days by clicking on a day in the list. The check mark in front of the day is removed, and the day no longer appears in the field above the list. Similarly, click on a day without a check mark to select the day to include it. Setting days can be useful in creating waves of scans since you can set the scans for different data sources to run on alternating days, or it can be useful to set scans to run on days where activity is minimized (such as weekends). This field can be used in combination with all other schedule fields.
Scan data source every
Use this option to set the scan to run on a time interval. Specify the number and select if it is minutes, hours, or days. The time determines when the scan will run after the previous scan completes and not specific increments of time. For example, the default value is 15 minutes. This means the scan will run 15 minutes after the previous scan run completes.
This option can be used in combination with the Select a start date and Scan data source on fields. It cannot be used in combination with the At a specific time option.
When you select this option, additional fields display that allow to control the time frame for the scan as well as the number of times the scan will run per day.
First scan start time
Use this field to specify a start time for the first scan in the schedule. If a time is not specified, the first scan will start after midnight. Specify the time using the format HH:MM XM or click the clock icon to select the time.
Last scan start time
Use this field to specify the time you want the last job run to start. If a time is not specified, the last job run will start no later than midnight. Specify the time using the format HH:MM XM or click the clock icon to select the time.
Note that a scheduled job will not run if the last run time for the job equals the “Last run start time” set in the job schedule. For example, if you schedule a job to run every 15 minutes starting at 1:00 PM and ending at 1:30 PM, the job will run at 1:00 PM and then at the scheduled 15-minute increment. If the next run time calculated for the job is 1:30 PM (the same as the “Last run start time” set for the job), 1:30 PM will show as the “Next run” time in the UI for the job, but the job will not be run again at 1:30 PM.
Maximum number of daily source scans
Use this field to specify the number of times you want the scan to run in a day. Once the scan runs this many times, it will not run again until the next day.
At a specific time
Use this option to set the scan to run at a specific time of the day. This may be useful if you prefer scans to run only during off hours. You can specify the time here, and the scan will run at that time for all the selected days. Specify the time using the format HH:MM XM or click the clock icon to select the time.
This option can be used in combination with the Select a start date and Scan data source on fields. It cannot be used in combination with the Scan data source every option.
Defining the Scan Schedule
Select Policy Center.
Select Data sources.
Click the ellipses (…) that display when you hover at the end of the row for the data source.
Select Schedule scan from the menu that displays.
The schedule scan modal appears.
Select the toggle to enable the schedule. (It will turn green to indicate the schedule options have been enabled.)
The available schedule options display. Use the fields to set the schedule for the data source. (See Understanding the Schedule Options above for details about each schedule field.)
Select Done to save the schedule.
Disabling a Schedule
Select Policy Center.
Select Data sources.
Click the ellipses (…) that display when you hover at the end of the row for the data source.
Select Schedule scan from the menu that displays.
The schedule scan modal appears.
Select the toggle to disable the schedule. (It will be gray to indicate the schedule options have been disabled, and the schedule fields will be hidden.)
Select Done to save the changes.