Windows Update through a Linux server

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Sl33py

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Hi
My new client contacted me after their last Computer support guy left them halfway through the job. He was installing a Suse server for them and told them that it would be able to save them using their cap so much. Is it possible to setup and to get it to work 100%?

I am not familiar with Linux but I think I must start to learn it in December when works slow down.
The way I look at it is 1GB = R65 does it justify all the effort, they are only 5 PC. For my other network of 15 PC it might be a good idea.

Thanks
 
I use Ubuntu personally, but don't see a problem with using Suse. Basically, I assume the guy was going to install Squid as a proxy server, and bind as a caching DNS server, and use IPTables as a firewall to block P2P traffic. It is easily possible, with a bit of know how, or your could get onto www.howtoforge.com for step by step tutorials.

Good luck
 
Otherwise, for Windows Updates, a local machine set up with WSUS 3.0 will sort it out. Only problem is WSUS downloads about 20GB to start with. And it really requires a domain setup, which I doubt you have with only 5 PCs. Just be aware that the way Windows Update works, there is a good chance that a proxy won't help much. But it will help save bandwidth overall.
 
You could set this up with WSUS on Windows Server 2003 and above. Domain is not a requirement for WSUS, you would just have to modify the update registry entry for the client machines to point to the WSUS server.

You could also get past the initial download if you know someone with an up to date WSUS server. That person could them simply export their WSUS database and updates and you can import them into your WSUS.
 
Hi
Thanks for all the input, they don’t have a Windows Server and can’t spend the money to setup a Windows server that was the reason with going with Linux. I am looking for a WSUS alternative
 
Alternatively, get some local bandwidth and set up a local/international split on the SUSE server.
 
You could have a look at WPKG.
WPKG is an automated software deployment, upgrade and removal program for Windows.

It can be used to push/pull software packages, such as Service Packs, hotfixes, or program installations from a central server (for example, Samba or Active Directory) to a number of workstations.

It can run as a service to install software in the background (silent install), without user interaction.

It can install MSI, InstallShield, PackagefortheWeb, Inno Setup, Nullsoft, other software installers or .exe packages, .bat and .cmd scripts and similar: no more repackaging to perform software installation.

WPKG is open source software.
Click to expand...
 
You could use ctupdate to download all the updates onto a single windows machine, then share the client folder and map it on the other pc's, you'll need to manually run the updater, then one the client pc's you just need to open the mapped drive and it will start the update.

You could also use the batch files (some are included in the package) to automate it.
 
IPcop

I use IPcop at work.
I have installed update accelerator and advance proxy as add-on's. With update accelerator "most" of your windows updates are stored on the server (downloaded once) and then if a p.c. goes to do a windows update it will get it locally.

It is really good and will save a lot of bandwidth.
 
Could anyone get that update accelerator to work with squid under other distro's?
I use gentoo @ home with 4 XP machines and although squid does cache some of the updates, it would be really nice if more updates were stored locally.
 
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