Task Scheduler

Introduction

The Windows Task Scheduler is a built-in utility in the Windows operating system that allows users to automate the execution of tasks at specified intervals or in response to certain events. It provides a user-friendly interface for creating, managing, and monitoring scheduled tasks, making it easier to automate repetitive or time-sensitive actions without manual intervention.

Getting Started

Compatibility

The Windows Task Scheduler O11ySource is compatible with all versions Microsoft Windows Server 2016 and newer. Minimum PowerShell version 5.1 is required.

Data Collection Method

vuSmartMaps collects health and performance data for Windows Task Scheduler server using VuNet's Healthbeat agent. This agent collects data based on the source configuration.

Prerequisites

Inputs for Configuring Data Source

• Server: The IP Address/FQDN of the Windows server. This field is the key to identify each server you add here.
• Period [in seconds]: How frequently data is gathered. The period should be between 60 seconds – 3000 seconds.
• **Task Path **: Enter the relative path to task(s). Eg: \Microsoft\customtasks\

Firewall Requirement

To collect data from this O11ySource, ensure the following ports are opened:

Source IP	Destination IP	Destination Port	Protocol	Direction
IP address of the Windows Server	vuSmartMaps Data Collector End Point	9092*	TCP	Inbound

*Before providing the firewall requirements, please update the port based on the customer environment.

Configuring the Target

Please check permissions for task configuration files:

• The extension reads task details directly from their configuration files. These are stored relative to the base location of C:\Windows\System32\Tasks
• Ensure the files of all monitored tasks are readable by the LOCAL_SERVICE user account.

Configuration Steps

• Enable the Task Scheduler O11ySource.
• Select the Sources tab and press the + button to add a new Windows host and task path details to be monitored.
• Add the required details and then click on Next.
• The following packages will be available for download based on the OS:Healthbeat full installer package - Downloads the full Healthbeat package with required configurations for a fresh installationHealthbeat config update package - Downloads the agent configuration package to update an existing Healthbeat installation
• Download the agent installation or update package, then click Finish to close the data source window.

Metrics Collected

Name	Description	Data Type
host	The IP address of the server	LowCardinality(String)
target	The IP address of the server	LowCardinality(String)
taskName	The name of the task	LowCardinality(String)
author	The author/owner of the task	LowCardinality(String)
Start_Date	Task start date	String
lastRunTime	The time when the task last executed	String
nextRunTime	The time when the task will executed	String
result	The result of the last execution	Float32
taskState	The state of the task(Enabled/Disabled)	String
scheduleType	The schedule interval(Daily/Weekly/System Startup)	String
status	The status of the task(Running/Ready)	String
status_value	The value of the status	UInt8
NumberOfMissedRuns	The number of missed runs for the particular task	UInt16
NumberOfMissedRuns_diff	Calcualted value for the current time frame	UInt16
NumberOfMissedRuns_rate	The rate of missed runs	Float32
lastRunBefore	The time since last execution of the job	String
lastRunBeforeSeconds	The time since last execution of the job in seconds	Float32
message	The message based on the result of last execution	String
taskPath	The path to the task	String
@timestamp	The timestamp in Elastic format	String
timestamp	The timestamp data	DateTime64
o11ysource_name	Name of the O11ysource	LowCardinality(String)