In a Nutshell (🌰)

• Optimize automation schedules for server performance
• Master cron expressions for precise timing control
• Avoid scheduling conflicts between related automations
• Monitor execution patterns to ensure reliability

Understanding Automation Scheduling

Effective scheduling is critical to getting the most from SSM's automation capabilities. Well-planned schedules ensure your tasks run at optimal times while minimizing resource usage and avoiding conflicts.

Cron Expression Mastery

Cron expressions provide precise control over when your automations run. Here's how to use them effectively:

Cron Expression Format

┌───────────── minute (0 - 59)
│ ┌───────────── hour (0 - 23)
│ │ ┌───────────── day of the month (1 - 31)
│ │ │ ┌───────────── month (1 - 12)
│ │ │ │ ┌───────────── day of the week (0 - 6) (Sunday to Saturday)
│ │ │ │ │
│ │ │ │ │
* * * * *

Special Characters

• * - Any value (wildcard)
• , - Value list separator (e.g., 1,3,5)
• - - Range of values (e.g., 1-5)
• / - Step values (e.g., */5 means every 5 units)

Common Schedule Patterns

Schedule	Cron Expression	Description
Hourly	0 * * * *	At minute 0 of every hour
Every 15 minutes	*/15 * * * *	Every 15 minutes
Daily at midnight	0 0 * * *	At 00:00 every day
Weekdays at 8 AM	0 8 * * 1-5	At 8:00 AM, Monday through Friday
First day of month	0 0 1 * *	At midnight on the first of every month
Every Sunday at 2 AM	0 2 * * 0	At 2:00 AM every Sunday

Scheduling Best Practices

Resource Optimization

To prevent overloading your systems, follow these guidelines:

1. Stagger Heavy Tasks: Avoid scheduling resource-intensive operations simultaneously
2. Off-Peak Timing: Schedule resource-intensive tasks during off-peak hours
3. Consider Dependencies: Schedule tasks that depend on others in the correct sequence

Timezone Considerations

SSM schedules run in the server's local timezone. Keep this in mind when:

• Setting up schedules for systems in different timezones
• Planning for daylight saving time changes
• Coordinating automations across global infrastructure

WARNING

If you change the timezone on the server running SSM, remember to adjust your automation schedules accordingly.

Avoiding Scheduling Conflicts

To prevent automations from interfering with each other:

1. Group Related Tasks: Schedule related operations close together but not simultaneously
2. Create Execution Windows: Allocate specific time windows for different types of automations
3. Consider Task Duration: Allow enough time between tasks that might affect each other

Schedule Examples for Common Scenarios

Scenario	Recommended Schedule	Cron Expression
Database backup	Daily, during off-hours	0 2 * * *
Log rotation	Weekly, on weekends	0 4 * * 0
Container updates	Weekly, with monitoring	0 3 * * 6
Monitoring checks	Frequent, but not excessive	*/10 * * * *
System updates	Monthly, with preparation	0 1 1 * *

Monitoring Schedule Performance

Regularly review your automation execution logs to:

1. Verify Timing: Ensure automations run at expected times
2. Check Duration: Identify tasks that take longer than expected
3. Identify Patterns: Look for trends in failures or performance issues
4. Optimize Resources: Adjust schedules to better distribute system load

Viewing automation logs to monitor performance

Advanced Scheduling Techniques

Chaining Automations

For complex workflows that require sequential steps:

1. Create separate automations for each step
2. Schedule them with appropriate time buffers between steps
3. Use the logs to verify each step completes before the next begins

Seasonal Adjustments

Consider adjusting your automation schedules based on:

• Business cycles (month-end processing, quarterly updates)
• Seasonal load patterns
• Maintenance windows

Troubleshooting Schedule Issues

If your automations aren't running as expected:

Step	Action
Verify Cron Syntax	Double-check your cron expressions for accuracy
Check Server Time	Ensure the server's time and timezone settings are correct
Review Execution Logs	Look for errors or irregular patterns
Check Resource Usage	High system load may delay automation execution
Verify Dependencies	Ensure prerequisites for your automations are available