14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is adapting its updating infrastructure for the next iterations of the Windows client and server operating system. In this sense, the evolution does by no means stop with Windows Update, but also involves components specific to enterprise IT environments. In this regard, the Release Candidate of Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 2 has gone live on Microsoft Connect and is up for grabs for testers. WSUS 3.0 SP2 RC is designed to support both the Windows 7 client and Windows Server 2008 R2, the Redmond company informs.
“I am very pleased to announce that WSUS 3.0 SP2 RC will be available to the general public today, May 26, via the Connect Site. All you have to do is sign in to your Connect account or sign up now in order to participate in the RC program. This program is available to all registered and authenticated users of Connect,” explained Cecilia Cole, WSUS program manager.
But of course, WSUS 3.0 SP2 RC does not only support the next version of Windows Server but also plays nice with the platform when it comes down to integration. Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) is essentially a free add-on for Windows Server. WSUS 3.0 SP2 RC will work with Windows Server 2008 R2, and will even come with support for the BranchCache feature.
“WSUS Feature Improvements: Auto-Approval Rules - auto-approval rules now include the ability to specify the approval deadline date and time for all computers or specific computer groups. Update Files and Languages - improved handling of language selection for downstream servers includes a new warning dialog that appears when you decide to download updates only for specified languages. Easy Upgrade - WSUS 3.0 SP2 can be installed as an in-place upgrade from earlier versions of WSUS and will preserve all of your settings and approvals. The user interface is compatible between WSUS 3.0 SP1 and SP2 on the client and the server,” Cole added.
Network administrators can turn to WSUS in order to manage updates for a large number of computers in an organization, where manual deployment becomes a problem. In scenarios requiring distribution of refreshes to multiple machines, WSUS is used in combination with Active Directory group policy, for greater administrative flexibility. With WSUS 3.0 SP2 admins will be able for example to leverage reports focused on new updates and computer status.
“Software Updates: stability and reliability fixes for the WSUS server, such as support for IPV6 addresses greater than 40 characters. The approval dialog now sorts computer groups alphabetically by group name. Computer status report sorting icons are now functional in x64 environments. Fixed setup issues with database servers running Microsoft SQL Server 2008. A new release of Windows Update Agent is included with WSUS 3.0 SP2 that provides improvements and fixes, such as support for APIs called by non-local system callers in a non-interactive session,” Cole stated.
32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 (Release Candidate) RC Build 7100.0.090421-1700 is available for download here.