Did you know CFEngine has Macros? They were first introduced in CFEngine 3.7 (back in 2015), and more have been introduced since then. Macros are convenient for preventing the parsing of a section of the policy. It is handy for protecting older binaries from getting tripped up on newer syntax the agent does not understand. Let’s take a look. Currently there are 8 macros. You can find examples of use within the Masterfiles Policy Framework.

A patch management process lays out the steps associated with updating software and hardware. Every patch management process shares a few core similarities, but with so many tools for managing patching in so many different kinds of setups, no two IT teams’ patch management processes look alike. What does your patch management process look like? Are you always ahead of the game and ready to patch on time, or are you usually behind schedule and not sure where you’re getting stuck?

Following the announcement of System Center 2025, it’s clear the suite isn’t going anywhere, and many organizations are considering moving to a newer version to capitalize on the 64-bit update to the application in the 2022 release of Orchestrator. For organizations looking to upgrade from earlier versions of Orchestrator such as 2016 or 2019 to System Center Orchestrator 2022, there are several things to be aware of before migration, as Orchestrator 2022 has a major change to the application.

In the ever-evolving landscape of network operations, the role of Network Operations Centers (NOCs) has become increasingly complex and demanding. Traditional monitoring and observability tools have been crucial in identifying and alerting teams to potential issues. However, as networks grow in complexity with the advent of IoT, 5G, and other digital advancements, the sheer volume of data and incidents can overwhelm even the most robust monitoring systems.

Today, we are pleased to announce the release of CFEngine 3.24.0! The code word for this release is consistency. This release also marks an important event, the beginning of the 3.24 LTS series, which will be supported for 3 years. Several new features have been added since the release of CFEngine 3.21 LTS, in the form of non-LTS releases.

Do you know how to quickly see what variables and classes are defined? Often, while developing CFEngine policy it’s convenient to emit a variable value or a report based on the presence of a class. For example: In some cases, this is because you are exploring what classes are available. In other cases, it might be DEBUG-related reports helping you understand how a variable is resolved during policy evaluation.

In the ITSM world, automation is no longer just a luxury—it’s essential. Automation empowers organizations to enhance operational efficiency, reduce expenses, and boost service reliability. That said, achieving true, sustainable results with automation can be challenging and often comes at a significant cost. Successful delivery of automation requires a clear vision and the strategic adaptation to align with evolving goals and incorporate agility.