How do I handle updating workstations from Win2000 Server?

[keith]

Hello all. Currently, I am the network manager for a small-ish network
consisting of win2000 server and about 50 XP pro clients. My problem is
trying to stay on top of security patches and fixes. Is there a way to
"automate" this process in Win2000 server so that I can "push" those updates
to all my XP machines? I know that there are other Servers from Microsoft
that pretty much specialize in doing this but we have a tight budget and are
not able to purchase that type of product. If there is not a tool in
windows 2000 server then I would like to hear from some of you on how you
handle this type of management. Thank you for your help!

 

[Oli Restorick [MVP]]

You're in luck, as Microsoft Software Update Services is free.

Although it's not a "push" in the true sense of the word, the Automatic
Updates client is built into Windows XP SP1 and just needs configuring with
group policy or direct registry edits. The machines will then periodically
poll the SUS server (essentially Windows Update for your LAN) and look for
updates.

www.microsoft.com/sus

A new version of SUS (called WUS) is due out later this year, but not soon
enough that you'd want to hold off of looking at SUS.

The newsgroup for SUS issues is microsoft.public.softwareupdatesvcs.

Regards

Oli