Windows Update Services

[Dehcbad25]

Well, I think this would go into Software and Networking too, but it is more related to security.
Anyhow, since my company's network is behind a proxy automated updates doesn't work, and NT doesn't have the automatic update either. So, finally I got some extra time (a month ago) and I started to look for solutions to deply security update for the OS, and I came accross this, which is actually free. You just need a computer running Windows 2K server or 2003 Server. It is quite easy to deploy and a great free alternative to deployment software which can be costly.
I thought it would be good to mention it. M$ sometimes lacks in support, or has special products (I hate the idea to have a server with special OS to track Licences :p), but this one is actually good.
This is my review (we could say the unofficial TZ review ;))
The good
-Cost Effective (free, not included the Windows Server)
-Easy to Deploy. Simple instalation server side with Little configuration. For Clients can be used Group Policies (Active Directory Domain, or Registry)
-It covers NT, 2K, XP, and 2003 computers (I didn't check for 98 or ME)
-Updates can be specified by aproval, so they can be tested before making them available
-Can reduce Internet use if configured for updates to be hosted locally (server needs 1.5 GB HDD for Cab files)
-Faster deployment of patches, sucurity updates, and cumulative updates
-Can be specified if client computer will restart automatically, wait for user input, or wait for manual restart.
-Remote administration thru HTML interface. (Only local or Domain Administrators can open the intranet)
-Supports deploy of different languagues.

The bad
-There is no centralized view of updates availble. (You have to check each PC event log)
-It doesn't deploy drivers updates
-It doesn't deploy other software (not even office, or 3th party)
-Server software won't run on Workstation OS, so there is a need to have a Server Licence installed.

Overral
It seems a good centralized option for Automatic updates for small to medium networks. Larger Network with more budget might want to get a more profesional software package deploy utility which usually also bring some extras (remote registry, remote even log, remote everything :p, Asset tracking and so)
If you are only interested in the update of windows systems this is a good solution

[Dehcbad25]

Have you used Windows Update Services??
If you have a have a question, I have some updates .Net framework SP2 in chinese, french and so that appear in the aproval list. How can I remove this update from the list and from the server in order to remove dead space. I think that would be also a bad point for SUS since there is no simple solution to delete updates. I am guessing it could be removed from the cab (if I knew the cab name)

[cash_site]

Thats a nice find Dehc, and good follow up question. Is there any support for the freeware? does it come with good txts or Help file?

I guess it is something to try out and find out for oneself.

[Dehcbad25]

Sofware Update Services Home (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/sus/default.mspx)
From there you can find most of the info.
The Deployment White Paper (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/sus/susdeployment.mspx) which contains most of the info. It is quite a big document (I only used 3 pages from it, where are the registry keys :p, I believe is page 62 [for non Active Directory networks])
And the Overview (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/sus/susoverview.mspx)
I recomend SAve as for the document, if you click it will open it in the page (and it is real slow)

Question for Rev, WHY I AM NOT GETTING MY NOTIFICATIONS?? :(