Mark is right on the money but left out one important detail. Microsoft SUS [1] allows you deploy a patch repository at your site. This saves network bandwidth and allows for greater control of deployment.
You can push the client software out via login scripts for your NT4 domains or MSIs for your AD domains. Client settings such as servernames and intervals can be configured via registry imports for NT4 or GPOs for AD. Good luck. Dallas [1] http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/windowsupdate/sus/susdeployment.asp -----Original Message----- From: Johnson, Mark [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2003 4:13 PM To: George Peek; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Full-Disclosure] Automating patch deployment Look at Microsoft Article 328010 for information on setting up Windows 2000, XP and 2003 to automatically update Microsoft's patches. I know this isn't the full solution, but maybe a start. Hope this helps. Mark J. -----Original Message----- From: George Peek [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2003 3:37 PM To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'; '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' Cc: George Peek Subject: [Full-Disclosure] Automating patch deployment We have two networks, one AD and one NT4.0. We can not use AD to deploy MSI patch packages to workstations that are not part of the AD (Active Directory), but are part of the NT domain. Not really interested in purchasing SMS as it seems too costly (why should we?). Considering HFNetChkPro 4 to automate the deployment of patches to our workstations and servers, as doing it manually is far too costly and time consuming for the company. Are there any other utilities or software that anyone (possibly free?) recommends that could be used to simplify patch deployment and management to every workstation and server. We use Windows NT, 2000 and XP workstation products, and NT4.0/2000/2000 Adv server products. Thank You, George K. Peek Network Specialist Allstate Ticketing _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.netsys.com/full-disclosure-charter.html _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.netsys.com/full-disclosure-charter.html _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.netsys.com/full-disclosure-charter.html
