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Windows Server 2008, WSUS and Other Stuff

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All About (the various) Microsoft Update Services
From the PC Mag Security Watch blog site... Microsoft has released a paper entitled " Windows Update Explained ". It talks about what Windows Update is and how it works. There are no big surprises here for those already fairly familiar with...
Self-Checking the Microsoft Update Agent Self-Update Log
Sometimes when I get bored, REAL BORED, I go diving into log files and see if there's something exciting there. Usually not. But sometimes I see something that makes me want to say something about it anyway. This is one of those situations. The WindowsUpdate...
Posted: Sep 01 2008, 07:45 PM by David M. Stein | with no comments
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WSUS Helps a WS08 Brutha Out
I've been waiting to see if this would happen. Like most of my petty wishlist idealisms, I figured it was too trivial to be considered. However, reading the latest post on the WSUS Team Blog by Cecilia made me feel like it was Christmas morning again...
SCUP: Publish Your Own Patches to Your Own Applications
System Center Updates Publisher is what SCUP stands for. Once again, Microsoft didn't fund the Acronymn Department sufficiently this year. Remember when SUS almost became WUS? Thankfully they moved on to WSUS at least. In their own words: SCUP is...
WSUS 3.0 API Samples Download
Cool-er-est. Gnarly. Bomb-diggity. Microsoft posted a neat-o set of API sample/examples for WSUS 3.0 on the Download Center yesterday. Among the goodies packed inside this gem are those listed below. I like the CleanStaleComputers feature. Too bad they...
WSUS-ers: Get Ready, Get Set: Patch Time
Microsoft will once again be unleashing a pack of updates on the next super "Patch Tuesday" on August 12. Details are posted here . So, be prepared brave patchmeisters. And drink heartily beforehand. Angry users and crashed computers don't...
My WSUS wishlist
Some things I'd like to see added to a future version of WSUS. I've posted these on the WSUS.info forums also. Enhanced filtering views . Right now, to find all the updates which contain "ia64" in their title, you have to use the search...
As if WSUS Admins Don't Have Enough to Deal with...
Now comes word from Microsoft that Windows Search 4.0 (formerly Windows Desktop Search) is being released via Automatic Updates. The odd thing is that it will be labeled "optional" for XP clients, while Vista clients will see it labeled as "recommended"...
Patching WSUS 3.0 with KB954960
The WSUS Team finally posted word that an update/hotfix is now available (KB954960) for public download to address the synchronization "issues" reported recently. The installation is a breeze. The download is actually a .cab file which contains...
WSUS SQL Goodies, a New WUA, more FUD Busting
Microsoft's Travis Plunk posted a modified version of Marc Shepard's WSUS SQL script for producing a report of non-compliant computers from the WSUS database. Indeed, this is good stuff and you should give it try. Works whether you're hosting...
Oh No. Say it ain't so! WSUS is choking on updates?!
According to Microsoft advisory 954960 , Microsoft is "investigating public reports" of a problem reported with WSUS 3.0 and something stopping the deployment of updates when there are clients in the environment installed with Office 2003. Anyone...
Let's ask Mr. Owl: How many licks does it take to get to the max limit of WSUS 3.0?
Ok, I'm dating myself horribly here. For anyone that figured out that tagline, great. I'll see you in the pudding line at the retirement home. For the rest of you: It was an old cartoon TV advertisement for Tootsie Roll Pops . Oh well. I shall...
WSUS System Event 13001: Part 2 - Sending Notifications
I was asked by a few readers (I can't believe I have a "few", I thought it was just "one") about how to setup the notification I mentioned. It's very easy but depends on what operating system is used. If you're on WS08...
WSUS is 2-Legit 2-Quit?
In case you don't read the WSUS Team Blog (you should by the way), there is a rather ominous posting regarding the WinVerifyTrust update for WSUS 3.0. To summarize: It will be MAN-DA-TOR-Y. That's right: required. You must pay $200 to pass Go...
Vista SP1 using WSUS 3.0
For anyone using WSUS for patch management, who doesn't already keep their eyes glued to the WSUS Team Blog , they posted a reminder about being sure to install KB938759 before you attempt to approve installing SP1 for Vista clients. As they note...
Dave's Braindump Part 2: WSUS
This is a 50,000 foot perspective of keeping grounded while looking to employ WSUS for your patch management. Read the Manuals. Yes. RTFM. Nobody does anymore, but the WSUS guides are pretty good. You might even learn something. Be realistic. It is free...
Windows Server 2003 SP2 blocker to be removed from WSUS and AU
I have an hour to burn at the library, so here goes... The WSUS blog folks gave us all due notice that the blocker toolkit for WS03 SP2 will be removed from WSUS over the next month. If you (a) manage WSUS and (b) use it to manage updates on your Windows...
WSUS Admins: Useful Office Updates Info
Cecilia Cole has been busy it seems. Not that she is making all these goodies from scratch, but she's definitely working overtime posting info about them for all of us to benefit from. http://blogs.technet.com/wsus/archive/2008/05/20/new-office-sustained...
WSUS Admins: Get Ready, Get Set, Start Drinking Heavily!
That's right. Microsoft has announced that Windows XP Service Pack 3, and Office 2007 Service Pack 1 will be released to WSUS very soon (if not already). If you have a small operation and all your victims, oops, I mean "users, are located in...
XP SP3 and WSUS Deployment
The WSUS Team Blog posted a short notice about Service Pack 3 for Windows XP being released to WSUS yesterday. If you deal with MS Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS, not to be confused with Rights Management Services) you will want to read this....
SCCM 2007 SUP role is not your Dad's WSUS
Thanks to Abhishek for posting a mention of this on his blog . The article he references is posted on the Microsoft TechNet Magazine articles site.Titled " System Center: New Software Update Management Tools ", this article by Steve Rachui gives...
Eminentware Extension Pack for WSUS
This is pretty cool. Eminentware has released an Extension Pack for WSUS which adds a ton of new features and enhancements to WSUS which most anyone that uses WSUS would agree is worth investigating. I have no personal stake in Eminentware so I'm...
Windows Vista for Businesses: The View from Down Low
This recent announcement by Microsoft that small businesses can upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista for only $99 USD is rather enticing. But is it enough? I have friends, and a few customers, who work in the larger Medium-Large enterprise business...
WSUS 3.0 Service Pack 1 Released
Here it is . Microsoft finally released it to the public. I've been running it on WS08 since it was released to the beta testers while WS08 was at RC0 status. I have to say it was a rather uneventful upgrade. Nothing to write home about, which is good...
Finally, a way to Extend WSUS and SCCM update deployments
For years, the biggest complaint about SUS, WUS, WSUS and now SCCM/UM has been the lack of using the WSUS pipeline to deliver updates for non-Microsoft products. Whether that involves third-party COTS products, or in-house custom developed products or...
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