Chapter 18. Managing and Implementing Windows Server Update Services

Objectives

This chapter covers the following Microsoft-specified objectives for the "Managing and Maintaining a Server Environment" section of the Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment exam:

Manage software update infrastructure

• With new security exploits announced what seems to be weekly and with corresponding patches that need to be applied, it is important that you automate as much of this process as possible. Microsoft has made available the Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) to allow you to control the patches and updates applied to the Windows platform.

Outline

Introduction		826
Managing a Software Update Infrastructure		826
	Microsoft Update	826
	Windows Server Update Services	827
	Installing Windows Server Update Services	830
	Computer Groups	836
	Configuring Clients for Automatic Updates	838
	Approving Updates	842
	Managing Updates	843
Chapter Summary		846
	Key Terms	846
Apply Your Knowledge		846

Study Strategies

• The sections in this chapter outline features that are essential to managing a Windows Server 2003 environment.

• Expect to see several questions on an area that is being heavily emphasized in Windows Server 2003: Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and the various configurations available. Know how the features of WSUS work, under what circumstances they should be used, and how to implement them.