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Introduction to Windows Server Update ServicesThe LGfL Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) system allows school ICT and network managers to control and automate the deployment of Microsoft updates to computers running operating systems including Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows XP with Service Pack 2, and Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4.

By using WSUS, administrators can manage the distribution of updates that are released through Microsoft Update to computers in their network, rather than following the “all or nothing” policy followed by the automatic Windows Update system that Microsoft builds into its clients.

Windows Server Update Services serverThe LGfL WSUS Server is located in the core of the LGfL network and downloads from Microsoft all of the latest updates and service packs that are released for Windows clients.

Network and ICT managers can configure their clients to update from the LGfL WSUS server rather than direct from Microsoft, which will result in faster download speeds. Some larger secondary schools may consider installing their own local WSUS server and configure that to receive updates direct from LGfL. Either way, the deployment of Microsoft updates to clients is more controlled.

LGfL, with their service partner Atomwide, evaluate updates on test systems before releasing them to the LGfL WSUS server. These test systems run applications such as SIMS which may not have been checked for compatibility by Microsoft. In this way, it is less likely that an update will inadvertently cause problems on a school network.

Windows Server Update Service (WSUS)

• WSUS allows school ICT and network managers to deploy the latest Microsoft product updates automatically

• Administrators can fully manage the distribution of updates that are released through Microsoft Update to computers in their network

• The LGfL WSUS server is located in the core of the LGfL network to ensure the best possible performance for all London schools

• Updates for Windows are tested for compatibility with education applications like SIMS before being released to the LGfL community

What is WSUS?

A service for the London Grid for Learning community provided by:London Grid for Learning in association with Atomwide

Atomwide Ltd2 - 3 Ravensquay Business Centre,

Cray Avenue, Orpington, Kent. BR5 4BQTel: 01689 814700 Fax: 01689 814701

Email: sales@atomwide.com www.atomwide.com

Windows Update

The Windows Update service is built into Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Windows 2000 SP4 operating systems. Through this component, both server and client computers can receive updates from the LGfL WSUS server.

Reporting

Using WSUS reports, ICT and network managers can monitor update activity to ensure that workstations are as up-to-date as required. All reports are available in a printable format and can be exported to Excel spreadsheets or Adobe Acrobat files (PDFs).

Targeting

Targeting enables ICT and network managers to deploy Microsoft updates to specific computers or groups of computers. Targeting can be configured on the WSUS server directly, on the WSUS server by using Group Policy in an Active Directory network environment, or on the client computer by editing registry settings. This arrangement can be useful for reasons including:

• Deploying new updates to a test computer group for evaluation before distributing them to a production environment.

• Protecting computers that run specific applications. For example, if a critical update is incompatible with an application used by only certain computers, an administrator can make sure that the update is not distributed to those computers.

• Specifying a deadline by which an update must be installed, and then setting different deadlines for different computers or computer groups.

For further details about WSUS please contact LGfL on: 020 82 55 55 55 and select option 3.

Windows Server Update Service (WSUS)

• Using Windows Update, both server and client computers can collect updates from the LGfL WSUS server

• Through WSUS reports, ICT and network managers can monitor update activity and ensure that workstations are as up-to-date as required

• Targeting enables ICT and network managers to deploy updates to specific computers or groups of computers

• Deploying new updates to a test computer group and then evaluating the updates before distributing them to the production environment

Why use LGfL WSUS?

Issue No. 1. January 2009