Installing And Configuring Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Part V

Along with the basic options described in part four of this series, you can also configured advanced synchronization options on the WSUS server. These options are used to control things such as bandwidth usage and where the updates are stored. Advanced options include:

• Storage options
• Deferred downloads options
• Filtering Updates options
• Express installation options

Storage Options
As you saw during the installation of WSUS, by default, updates are downloaded and stored locally on the WSUS server. Alternatively, you can force clients to obtain updates from the Microsoft Update Web site instead of storing the updates on the WSUS server. Using this option instead of the default is useful in situations where clients have high speed Internet connections but the connection to the WSUS is slow. This configuration still allows you to approve updates; it only alters where clients obtain the updates.

You can change where updates are stored by selecting Options within the WSUS administrative console. In the Update Files and Languages, click the Update Files tab. If you want to store updates on the local server, select the Store update files locally on this server option. Conversely, to force clients to download the updates from the Internet, select the Do not store updates locally; computers install updates from Microsoft Update.

Deferred Downloads Options
The Deferred Downloads Options allows you to configure when the updates should be downloaded. Updates can be downloaded in full during the synchronization process. Or, the download of all updates can be deferred until they are approved. This means that all the files required to install an update are not downloaded until they are approved by an administrator. This allows you to use available bandwidth more efficiently.

To configure deferred downloads, click Options within the administration console. In the Update Files and Languages, click the Update Files tab. Select the Download updates to this server only when updates are approved option to defer downloads.

Filtering Updates Options
Another way that you can optimize bandwidth is to limit the download of updates to specific languages, products, and update type. The default behavior of WSUS is to download all updates for all products in all languages. Chances are many of the updates will not be applicable to your network clients. To better optimize bandwidth, you should limit the download of updates to only those that you require.

To filter the downloads, click Options within the administration console. In Update Files and Languages, click the Update Languages tab. In the Advanced Synchronization Options dialog box, under Languages, select from one of the two options outlined below:

• Download updates in all languages, including new languages - All languages are downloaded regardless of the locale of the WSUS server
• Download updates only in these languages - Only updates in the language/languages you have selected are downloaded

Express Installation Option
The Express Installation Option is designed to optimize the bandwidth on the local network between the WSUS server and clients. Keep in mind that there is a downside to using this option because downloading the express installation files to the WSUS requires more bandwidth than just downloading the updates themselves. However, installing the updates on the clients requires less bandwidth when using the express installation files.

To enable this option:

1. Within the WSUS console, click Options.
2. In the Update Files and Languages, click the Update Files tab.
3. Select the Download express installation files.
4. Click OK.

In Summary
As you can see, Windows Server Update Services 3.0 offers a secure, efficient solution for deploying Microsoft updates to servers and workstations on your network. Once the service is installed, it can be customized to meet varying needs and requirements, thereby making it an update-solution that can be utilized in different environments.

[tags]windows server, update services, microsoft[/tags]