Windows Server for WSUS

[Techrat]

I want to set up WSUS on my network so that I don't need to download updates separately for each machine (5 or 6 boxes), it only runs on Windows Server unfortunately.

Considering I am reasonably competent with XP, will I be able to find my way around Windows Server? (I have never used it at all) Should I go for 2003 or 2008, I need to run it on some older hardware (Sempron socket 462).

In this thread, http://www.wsus.info/index.php?showtopic=4962. there is a hack to get it installed on XP. Think it's worth trying out?

Otherwise can anyone suggest a simpler solution?

 

[Anthro]

I would rather suggest deploying the WSUS on the OS it was meant to be, you don't mention whether you are running a Domain environment /?
Domains (generally) mean more than 10 users - and this is a bad limitation enforced on XP Pro, and might work pretty well with your current user setup - but what about expansion ?

Oh, and for that matter - you are able to Google.. just saying, building your skillset by understanding even a minimal amount of Server OS can benefit you in the long run

 

[Techrat]

I'm not a networking guru, I practically don't even know what a domain is. There won't be much expansion, it's in a home environment.

Will I be able to manage just installing it easily enough and poke around inside considering I can install a Windows desktop OS or Linux?

 

[Park@82]

Considering I am reasonably competent with XP, will I be able to find my way around Windows Server? (I have never used it at all) Should I go for 2003 or 2008, I need to run it on some older hardware...

I would say go with 2003 its very similar to xp.

 

[solo7]

google "Auto Patcher"

and use that, put it on a USB drive or network share.

 

[DJNgoma]

I'm not a networking guru, I practically don't even know what a domain is. There won't be much expansion, it's in a home environment.

Will I be able to manage just installing it easily enough and poke around inside considering I can install a Windows desktop OS or Linux?

Yeah, some skills do require a bit of research like @Anthropoid has said. Currently I'm running Windows Home Server Codename "Vail" whilst using WSUS with it and I'm pretty impressed with my set up. The Home Server Beta would be your best solution as a "free" solution for the time being, and a nice OS for the home user who needs a way of backing up their files periodically without reminder with the additional features of streaming media through one's home network. A very nice compliment to the Windows 7 environment if I do say so myself.

EDIT: A solution if you dont have a spare PC... You could always run the server in a virtual machine if your PC is strong enough for it.

 

[Techrat]

Please give me some basics on Home Server, I know I can look at MS website (and I have googled Home Server and looked over the site a bit, but it's a b!tch with crappy marketing all over the place and I just want to know what I need to, not how bloody great they are at everything etc).

Is "Vail" the beta?
Is the beta the same as the trial that's offered on their site? (If not where do I get the beta?)
How long will the beta last? i.e. Can I use it indefinitely?
The MS FAQ says something about add ins from 3rd parties for Anti virus, can you not just use "normal" AV products with it?

@solo7, Auto patcher seems like a viable alternative, I'm just slightly confused by some of the wording on the main page, does it install all available updates for Windows?

 

[DJNgoma]

Please give me some basics on Home Server, I know I can look at MS website (and I have googled Home Server and looked over the site a bit, but it's a b!tch with crappy marketing all over the place and I just want to know what I need to, not how bloody great they are at everything etc).

Is "Vail" the beta?
Is the beta the same as the trial that's offered on their site? (If not where do I get the beta?)
How long will the beta last? i.e. Can I use it indefinitely?
The MS FAQ says something about add ins from 3rd parties for Anti virus, can you not just use "normal" AV products with it?

The MSFT seems to sums it up quite nicely, can't see much marketing unless you are talking about the HP side of things.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/default.mspx

The demo videos should give you a rough idea of how it runs.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/demo.mspx

You can grab "Vail" from the MS Connect Site:
https://connect.microsoft.com/WindowsHomeServer?wa=wsignin1.0

The trial on the official MSFT site for the Home Server is for the current one on sale which is based on Server 2003 and it gives you a good 120 days(as far as I can remember) to try it out. Whilst "Vail" is based on Server 2008 R2 and AFAIK it seems indefinite for the time being, would have expected 7 beta behavior but anyway.

In terms of an AV you would unfortunately you have to buy one, I don't know of any free server based AVs as such. Currently I'm running Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010(free as well for the time being as it is an evaluation copy), looks exactly the same as MSE but sold for severs from what I can see and have been told.

 

[Techrat]

Thanks.

Marketing may not be the right term. I just hate the way they pretty it up so much that I have to wade through glittery BS to find what I'm looking for.

 

[bdt]

/snip

In terms of an AV you would unfortunately you have to buy one, I don't know of any free server based AVs as such. Currently I'm running Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010(free as well for the time being as it is an evaluation copy), looks exactly the same as MSE but sold for severs from what I can see and have been told.

Gushing aside, WHS is pretty damn handy ..and you *DO* get a free AV plugin (via the console), I give you WHSClamAV; yes, based on that old chestnut ClamAV:

WHSClamAV is a free open source Add-In for Windows Home Server using the ClamAV Anti-Virus package.

Features:
C# Coded
Window Home Server Console Add-In
Uses Open Source Based Anti Virus Scanning Engine
ClamWin v0.96.1 (Released 15-May-2010) from ClamAV
Now Supports International Installations on Windows Home Server
Supports Smaller Screen Console Layouts (i.e. netbooks)
Automatic Virus Database Updates
Windows Scanning and Virus Database Upate Services
Ability to scan backup drives