WSUS

[TLBAT] Keep patches and updates under control with WSUS

In my previous articles I’ve described the process to allow several services and servers to be installed for free or at low cost in your network; this post continues with “I want it but I have no budget” philosophy and enables you to have an update and patching system for your network where you can control who, what, when is updated/upgraded.

In order to have a server/infrastructure of servers for the updates in your network, you will need to install the Microsoft Windows Update Services Server 3.0 (a.k.a. WSUS).

Basically with WSUS you can create a local update server where you can control all the updating process for your client’s network. You may choose to download the updates and patches from the Microsoft Update site and store a copy of the files locally in order to save bandwidth; you may only choose to control the approval/denial of the updates and have the clients connect to Microsoft to download the files; you may also create a tier based WSUS structure where a child server receives updates and approvals from the above server and so on.

Once you have designed, planned and installed your WSUS structure you can then use Group Policies, or any other method (e.g. VBScript) to have your clients connect to the WSUS servers in your structure.

First start by downloading this document that describes the process for deploying the WSUS; then you may consider having a look at this site that explains how to implement GPO for the use of WSUS or consider using either VBScript or this Visual Basic 6.0 tool I released some years ago.

This time we have to thank Microsoft for providing another money-saver tool that won’t impact your low budget!!!

Keep on reading my blog and in the end you will have saved lots of buck$ that you may consider to send me via PayPal!!