Windows Software Update Services (SUS) provides a system for networked Windows computers to access a central server and retrieve and install the latest Windows system patches and updates.

In XP, go to My Computer > Properties > Automatic Updates to check the settings for your updates.

Schools have two options available to implement SUS from an "internal" DET network server (rather than from Microsoft):

 

1.Setup their own SUS server

Larger schools can setup their own SUS server, to download the latest updates and distribute them to each workstation automatically.

This option requires some level of expertise in the use of a Windows server and network environment.

Information and setup files are available at the TRIFFID site (look under Security - DET Intranet access required).

2. Access a central SUS server

Smaller schools, or those unable to setup and maintain a local SUS server, can setup their local workstations to access a central DET SUS server.

To enable your computers to automatically get their updates from this central SUS server, you must download and run a small setup file on each computers, to make the necessary changes to the Windows registry.

Details on this option are below:

 

• Download the SUS setup file (30k - .exe).
  
  
• The setup file is called windowsupdate.det.nsw.edu.au.exe
  Do NOT change the name of the setup file.
  
  
• Run the setup file on each PC. 
  
  
• There are no prompts to answer - the installer will make the necessary Registry changes for Windows updates to occur automatically.
  
  
• Once this installer has been run, the PC will connect to the central SUS Server, download any available updates and make them ready for installation. 
  
  
• When new updates are available, a message in the system tray will alert you that new updates have been downloaded.
  
  
• You may start the installation manually at that point.
  
  Alternatively, you can leave your computers turned on (with the monitors off!) each Thursday evening, for the downloaded updates to be installed and the PC rebooted automatically.