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Configuration Guide
Learn how to configure BigFix according to your needs.
BigFix Site Administrator and Console Operators
In BigFix there are two basic classes of users.
Different ways to define a Console Operator
There are different ways to add console operators, assigning them roles or granting permissions to view or manage specific computers and sites.

Configuration Guide
Learn how to configure BigFix according to your needs.
- Introduction
  This guide explains additional configuration steps that you can run in your environment after installation.
- BigFix Site Administrator and Console Operators
  In BigFix there are two basic classes of users.
  - The Site Administrator
    The site administrator has the following primary responsibilities.
  - The Console Operators
    There are two types of Console operators:
  - Different ways to define a Console Operator
    There are different ways to add console operators, assigning them roles or granting permissions to view or manage specific computers and sites.
  - Adding Local Operators
    You can create accounts for operators that access the console using the local BigFix account.
  - Mapping authorized activities with permissions
    The following table shows which activities you can, cannot or could, under specific conditions, allow an operator to do by assigning permissions in the Details tab of the Operator Definition.
  - Operators and analysis
    Operators have various rights and restrictions when activating and deactivating analysis.
  - Monitoring Operators
    If you are a master Operator (you must have a correctly authorized user name created with the BigFix Administration Tool), you can monitor what other operators are doing and what computers they are authorized to administer.
- Integrating with LDAP
  You can add Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) associations to BigFix.
- Enabling SAML V2.0 authentication for LDAP operators
  Starting from Version 9.5.5, BigFix supports SAML V2.0 authentication via LDAP-backed SAML identity providers.
- Disabling local operators
  Starting from BigFix Version 10.0.8, this feature provides a mechanism where the creation and use of any local operator is prohibited in favor of LDAP-based operators.
- Using multiple servers (DSA)
  Some important elements of multiple server installations.
- Server object IDs
  The BigFix server generates unique ids for the objects that it creates: Fixlets, tasks, baselines, properties, analysis, actions, roles, custom sites, computer groups, management rights, subscriptions.
- Customizing HTTPS for Gathering
- Using the DHE/ECDHE key exchange method
  By default, BigFix 10.0 Patch 1 components use the DHE/ECDHE key exchange method if the version of the BigFix component on the other side of the SSL communication allows it.
- Configuring secure communication
- Real Time AV Exclusions
  BigFix Console, Server and Relay components of the architecture perform high volume file operations. This activity is a substantial part of the functionality that these BigFix architecture components provide.
- Downloading files in air-gapped environments
  In air-gapped environments, to download and transfer files to the main BigFix server, use the Airgap utility and the BES Download Cacher utility.
- Getting client information by using BigFix Query
  The BigFix Query feature allows you to retrieve information and run relevance queries on client workstations from the WebUI BigFix Query Application or by using REST APIs.
- The Plugin Portal
  The Plugin Portal is a new component introduced in BigFix 10 to help manage cloud devices as well as modern devices such as Windows 10 and MacOS endpoints enrolled to BigFix. For details on modern client management, see the Modern Client Management documentation.
- Extending BigFix management capabilities
  BigFix 10 delivers a few significant new functions for enhancing the visibility and management of devices on your network regardless of whether the devices are physical or virtual.
- Persistent connections
  The capability to establish persistent connections was added to the product.
- Relays in DMZ
  The capability to establish a persistent TCP connection between the parent relay in the more secure zone and its child relay inside the DMZ network was added to the product. This allows you to manage systems in a demilitarized zone (DMZ network).
- Working with PeerNest
  The BigFix Client includes a new feature named PeerNest, that allows to share binary files among Clients located in the same subnet. The feature is available starting from BigFix Version 9.5 Patch 11.
- Archiving Client files on the BigFix Server
  You can collect multiple files from BigFix clients into an archive and move them through the relay system to the server.
- BigFix Configuration Settings
  A number of advanced BigFix configuration settings are available that can give you substantial control over the behavior of the BigFix suite. These options allow you to customize the behavior of the BigFix server, relays, and clients in your network.
- Additional configuration steps
  These topics explain additional configuration steps that you can run in your environment.
- Migrating the BigFix Server (Windows/MS-SQL)
  This section details the steps and operational procedures necessary for migrating the BigFix Server from existing hardware onto new computer systems.
- Migrating the BigFix Server (Linux)
  This section provides basic information on migrating your BigFix Server from existing Linux hardware onto new systems.
- Server audit logs
  The BigFix Server generates a server audit log file which contains the access information (login/logout) and information about the actions performed through the Console or the WebUI by the different users.
- List of advanced options
  The following lists show the advanced options.
- Security Configuration Scenarios
  BigFix provides the capability to follow the NIST security standards by configuring an enhanced security option.
- Client certificate
  To comply with the modern industry standards, starting from product version 10.0.7, the client certificate of the BigFix Agent will have a validity period of 13 months.
- Client Authentication
  Client Authentication (introduced in version 9) extends the security model used by BigFix to encompass trusted client reports and private messages.
- Maintenance and Troubleshooting
  If you are subscribed to the Patches for Windows site, you can ensure that you have the latest upgrades and patches to your SQL server database servers.

Different ways to define a Console Operator

There are different ways to add console operators, assigning them roles or granting permissions to view or manage specific computers and sites.

You can add single operators at any time by selecting the Tools > Create Operator item or by right clicking in the operators work area and selecting Create Operator as described in Adding Local Operators.
If you are using Active Directory or a generic LDAP, you can add previously defined users by selecting the Tools > Add LDAP Operator item or by right clicking in the operators work area and selecting Add LDAP Operator as described in Adding LDAP Operators.
You can also associate an LDAP group to an existing role, in this way, with just one click, you add an operator for each user specified in the LDAP group and you associate that operator to the role. For more information about this capability, see Associating an LDAP group.

Note: For LDAP operator and LDAP Group an Active Directory or LDAP directory must first be added to BigFix.