---
title: "Run a benchmark"
description: "Run a CIS benchmark against a node or node group."
product: "Guardian"
edition: "Classic"
type: "workflow"
url: "https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/control/benchmarks/actions/run-benchmark/"
---
# Run a benchmark

Run a CIS benchmark against a node or node group. For more information on the benchmarks provided by Guardian, see [Benchmarks](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/control/benchmarks/benchmarks/index.md) (**Control** > **Benchmarks**).

Applies to: `Guardian Classic`

![Benchmarks tab](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/control/benchmarks/benchmarks-tab.png)

## Get started

The benchmarks library is updated at the start of each quarter, or as needed, based on standards released by CIS. Before assigning a benchmark, it may be beneficial to explore the current list of benchmarks and assess which one(s) you'd like to apply and to which nodes.

!!! note

    If there is a benchmark missing that you would like to be added, please contact your Cloudhouse Representative or email helpdesk@cloudhouse.com to raise a support ticket.

If you are just starting out with benchmarks, it may be useful to start with the following tasks:

- Choose a single benchmark that can be applied to a small group of nodes. For example, you could apply aspects of the 'CIS Red Hat 7' benchmark on all your RHEL 7 nodes.
- If the benchmark you want to apply is tiered, start with the Level 1 checks.
- Look at each of the checks included within a benchmark and assess which aspects you may want to apply to your target node(s). For example, the 'RHEL 6 Level 1' benchmark contains user access control checks in section 5 that may be of use to specific node types.

## Run a benchmark against a target

In the **Benchmarks** tab (**Control** > **Benchmarks**), locate the benchmark that you want to run. Then, select 'Run' from the **View** drop-down list. The **Select the target** dialog is displayed. Here, you can choose whether to apply the benchmark to a singular node, or a group of nodes. Additionally, you can use the search box to filter your results if you are looking for a particular target. Click **Select** to apply the benchmark to an individual node or node group.

!!! note

    To run a benchmark against a target, the node or node group must be configured correctly, with an Agent or Connection Manager online and available to process requests. For more information, see [Connection Managers](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/inventory/connection-managers/connection-managers/index.md).

![Select the target dialog](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/control/benchmarks/view-drop-down/run/select-the-target-dialog.png)

Once selected, the **Job Processing** dialog is displayed and the benchmark is triggered to be run against the target node(s), or node group(s). Depending on the size of the target, this may take a few minutes to process. For more information, see [Job History](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/control/job-history/job-history/index.md) (**Control** > **Job History**).

![Job processing dialog](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/control/benchmarks/view-drop-down/job-processing-dialog.png)

Click to access the **Job History** tab, where you can check the progress of the job run. Once the job is complete, the **Status** will display as **Succeeded** (![Passed tick](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/buttons/passed-tick.png)). If the job fails, you can click on the job to display information about the cause of failure. For more information, see [Job History](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/control/job-history/job-history/index.md).

![Job history tab](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/control/benchmarks/running/job-history-tab.png)