Along with the initial configuration outlined earlier in this series, you can also configure advanced options on the WSUS server through the administrative console. 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

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 download them.

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 and click one of the following options:

• Store update files locally on this server
• Do not store updates locally; clients install updates from Microsoft Update

Deferred Downloads Options

The Deferred Downloads options let 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. Selecting the second option means that all the files required to install an update are not downloaded approved by an administrator. This allows you to use available bandwidth more efficiently.

You can configure Deferred Download options from the Update Files tab within the administrative console. 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 configure Filtering Updates, click Options, and then click the Update Languages tab from the Advanced Synchronization Options dialog box. Select from one of the 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 Options

The Express Installation options also optimize the bandwidth on the local network between the WSUS server and clients. Keep in mind though that there is a downside to using Express Installation options 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.

You cab configure WSUS to download express installation options through the administrative console. Within the console, click Options. In Update Files and Languages, click the Update Files tab and click the Download express installation options.