Question

WSUS 3 SP2 - Updating Clients

Asked by: iNetSystem

I have a Windows 2008 Server running WSUS 3 SP2 and a GP in place.  I have a few test systems that have received updates but I cannot figure out what determines the schedule for Clients systems to recieve updates from WSUS.  Can someone tell me what determines this and also, is there a way to force aor push the updates.

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Asked On
2009-09-08 at 13:36:03ID24716169
Topic

Windows Server 2008

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
26

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Answers

 

by: Wonko_the_SanePosted on 2009-09-08 at 13:57:55ID: 25286090

It is random (default is to do it once in a 10-hour timespan). You can use a GPO to determine how often your clients do it (e.g. at least once every x hours).

To trigger it on a machine you can run "wuauclt /detectnow". Please note that this command will not return anything, wether it was successful or not. To see if it's actually doing anything you can check the log file, which should be

%SYSTEMROOT%\windowsupdate.log



 

by: Wonko_the_SanePosted on 2009-09-08 at 13:58:39ID: 25286093

wuauclt /detectnow needs to be run on the client, in case this wasn't clear. There is no way you can do this from the WSUS server - this is a passive component just waiting for requests from clients.

 

by: iNetSystemPosted on 2009-09-08 at 14:04:53ID: 25286149

Thanks.  So after I have approved every download to the WSUS server and setup my clients in an OU that has a GP assigned to it, etc...
I need to run this command on every client in order for them to pickup the updates!?!?

 

by: Wonko_the_SanePosted on 2009-09-08 at 14:06:14ID: 25286164

No, this is just if you want to force it manually. If the GPO is applied and configured correctly it will all happen automatically, it's just a matter of time. In this case I would wait at least a business day.

 

by: gdewrellPosted on 2009-09-08 at 14:06:59ID: 25286166

GPO determines the when Updates are download and installed.
You can force updates by setting a deadline for the update(s).
Once the deadline passes it will be installed automatically.

 

by: dstewartjrPosted on 2009-09-08 at 16:24:55ID: 25287039

 

by: iNetSystemPosted on 2009-09-08 at 18:20:12ID: 25287572

All,

Still confused..
in WSUS the client system i slisted and has 224 updates needed.  This is a test system.  I believe the GP is fine.  I have manually run wuauclt.exe /detectnow and the test system does show up under the Test computer group in WSUS.

It has been about 8 hours and no updates have been applied.  The schedule is set for every hour yet nothing.  Very frustrating and I'd appreciate help here.

 

by: Wonko_the_SanePosted on 2009-09-09 at 06:22:17ID: 25290911

The schedule is only for downloading the updates, not applying them.

Have actually set the GPO to automatically install the updates? You will have to set it to option "4" (automatically download and automatically install) and then set a day/time. The updates will be install on that date.

 

by: iNetSystemPosted on 2009-09-09 at 10:49:40ID: 25293786

The test clients seem to be pulling the approved updates but not entirely.  Does this mean I have to wait for the next scheduled cycle?

In the WSUS Console, under Updates, can you clarify the column header that reads: "Installed/Not Applicable Percentage"?  Most are listed as 100% yet a few are at 60% or 80%.  What does Install (1/3) represent??

Lastly, in GP, what is the difference in Enforcing the policy versus not?

 

by: Wonko_the_SanePosted on 2009-09-09 at 12:04:33ID: 25294456

Technically it should pull all required updates at once. Sometimes it doesn't hurt to be patient though, it may be a matter of time

100% is good (everything is installed or not required). If it's something else some clients are still missing the patches or have not reported back yet.
Install (1/3) means that you have several computer groups, and the update is only approved for one of the three groups. Only computers that are in the computer group the update is approved will install it.

Enforcing a GPO has nothing to do with WSUS directly. It would apply if you have several GPOs applied to the same computer with contradicting settings. The enforced one would win.

 

by: iNetSystemPosted on 2009-09-09 at 12:21:21ID: 25294613

You've been fantastic and are getting me closer; I appreciate it.  I am playing around with setting deadlines just  to see how that works.  In one case this test client failed on 2 updates; .net Framework 3.5 SP1 and a Security Update for .Net Framework 1.1 SP1.

I tried to pull them again and they didn't apply?  any thoughts??  I have set each of them as another deadline for 15 minutes from now to see...

 

by: Wonko_the_SanePosted on 2009-09-09 at 12:30:27ID: 25294710

I think failed updates are a special case, you will have to address those manually. Check the clients to figure out why they failed. Often, the easiest approach is to try a manual installation and see what error it gives you.

 

by: dstewartjrPosted on 2009-09-09 at 12:59:01ID: 25294966

Deadlines will not force an update to install if there is a failure.

.Net is known to fail to update from time to time. Look here for resolution. http://blogs.msdn.com/joy/archive/2008/09/11/net-framework-3-5-sp1-fails-to-install.aspx

Just so that you know, when you set a deadline on a update the system will reboot no matter who is signed in or even if the update didnt require a reboot in the first place.

 

by: iNetSystemPosted on 2009-09-09 at 13:09:28ID: 25295091

I didn't know that - thanks.  Is the deadline a one-time thing or do i need to go back and remove the deadline?

 

by: Wonko_the_SanePosted on 2009-09-09 at 13:18:08ID: 25295169

I would use deadlines only very rarely - e.g. if you have a critical patch that is being exploited by a virus. In all other situations I do not think it is worth the risk of reboots while somebody is working. I would go ahead and remove them.

 

by: iNetSystemPosted on 2009-09-09 at 13:24:36ID: 25295205

Thanks.  can either of you let me know if I need to remove an explicit deadline on the few I've tested?  if so, how??

Lunch on me...

 

by: Wonko_the_SanePosted on 2009-09-09 at 13:30:48ID: 25295247

Just like you set the deadline... Choose the updates with the deadline, click Approve. Right-Click on the computer group and set Deadline to None.

 

by: iNetSystemPosted on 2009-09-09 at 13:44:06ID: 25295371

My bad -
And if Iforgot the 2-3 that i set a deadline for is there a way to run a report, etc to see which then need to be turned off!?

 

by: Wonko_the_SanePosted on 2009-09-09 at 13:46:06ID: 25295384

To be honest, I am not sure...
You could configure a client without any updates and see which ones get installed immediately... Or if all your clients are already patched don't worry about it.

 

by: Wonko_the_SanePosted on 2009-09-09 at 13:46:54ID: 25295393

Disregard my last comment.
Go to the Update view and add the "Deadline" column, then sort by it.

 

by: iNetSystemPosted on 2009-09-09 at 14:09:42ID: 25295580

aarrrgggghhhh
Sorry - brain dead Wonko.
Ho specifically do i get that column added??

 

by: Wonko_the_SanePosted on 2009-09-09 at 14:14:05ID: 25295628

Go to the All Updates view. Right-click in the header  line. This will show all columns that are available. Just check Deadline.

 

by: iNetSystemPosted on 2009-09-09 at 19:09:44ID: 25296976

Wonko -
Worked perfectly; very cool.  
I'll see what happens tomorrow and appreciate your help.

 

by: iNetSystemPosted on 2009-09-10 at 13:57:40ID: 25304270

Update...
I'm seeing that the server, which is dedicated to WSUS, is losing a lot of free space.  The WSUS folder is 49GB.  Any advice since I am only targeting applications that are or may be needed?

 

by: Wonko_the_SanePosted on 2009-09-10 at 14:00:08ID: 25304301

First make sure you only download the languages you need - in most cases it won't be more than one or two. Second only check the applications / Operating Systems you need. All that can be found in the options.

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