14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft Windows Server Update Services version 3.0 went live as of yesterday April 30, 2007, and was immediately made available for download via the Microsoft Download Center. WSUS 3.0 is designed to integrate seamlessly into corporate environments and to deliver updates from Microsoft Update. WSUS3Setupx64.exe and WSUS3Setupx86.exe, weighing in together at 161.2 MB, have to be installed on a machine powered by Windows Server 2003 SP1 and later and include both the WSUS 3.0 Server and WSUS 3.0 Administration Console.
Microsoft revealed that support for the release candidate of WSUS 3.0 will be ended as of May 31, 2007. Still, the Redmond Company did inform that corporate customers currently using WSUS 2.0 SP1 and WSUS 3.0 RC can upgrade directly to WSUS 3.0.
"We are thrilled to announce that WSUS 3.0 has released today April 30th and is available now on the Microsoft Download Center. We will release WSUS 3.0 via WU/MU (as an update to WSUS 2.0) on May 23rd. As the next generation, WSUS 3.0 brings new features and capabilities dedicated to making deployment and update management simple yet powerful. The WSUS 3.0 MOM pack should be available to the MOM catalog next week," revealed Bobbie Harder, Program Manager, WSUS, Microsoft.
Microsoft has streamlined the installation process of WSUS 3.0 offering in place upgrade over version 2.0 together with a revamped configuration wizard for setup. The Administrative Experience has also been tuned up with overhauled MMC based powerful user interface, now delivering remote console capabilities and hosting for multiple WSUS servers.
However, the improvements in WSUS 3.0 also cover deployment options, performance and operational reliability, and Content Access and On-demand client synchronization. One feature that WSUS customers still have to look at is Ultimate Extras integration for Windows Vista Ultimate editions which will be delivered with the first service pack for Windows Vista.