Review of SolarWinds Diagnostic Tool for the WSUS Agent
Try SolarWinds Free Tool For Troubleshooting Windows Updates
Here is an excellent utility for checking whether a Windows client machine
is really receiving Microsoft's updates from its mother ship- the local Windows Server Update
Service (WSUS). When administering the patches to machines it's more satisfying to spend time
preventing security breaches, than trying to repair unstable systems.
Once it was pointed out to me - it was obvious, most malware
attacks succeed in the days immediately following the discovery of a security flaw.
Furthermore, it's the law of the jungle that those machines that aren't
patched will get hit, while those who install Microsoft's updates will be
immune.
As someone who has spent time troubleshooting update problems, there
is only one thing more frustrating than dealing with a machine with no
updates, and that is one where the updates are failing but you don't
know why. Enter SolarWinds free WSUS utility.
Review of SolarWinds Diagnostic Tool for the WSUS Agent
Here is a free product for you to check the status of the Windows updates
agent.
Note the words 'Diagnostic' and 'Agent' in this utility's title.
A typical scenario would be a Windows 7 client configured to receive
updates on Microsoft's Patch Tuesday from a WSUS server, but something
goes wrong. At this moment you need an agent to contact the server, which is the
source of the patches, and then the ability to diagnose why the update
failed to transfer.
An alternative scenario for the SolarWinds Diagnostic Tool for the
WSUS Agent would be troubleshooting XP machines who did not get the
security update that Microsoft released last Friday. However,
SolarWinds' Patch Manager
is better for dealing with failed updates installations.
The client computer (e.g. Vista or Windows 8) has Windows Update Agent
installed.
It helps if DNS is configured correctly so that your computer can find the IIS
server used by WSUS. If not, no worries, the tool will help
you diagnose name resolution problems.
Due to a misconfiguration on my part, I needed to click on the 'Start Diagnostic' button
before I got a row of green ticks,
see screenshots below.
Validates the client computer's Windows Update configuration settings.
For example: - Checks the version number of the Update Agent. - Checks this
computer is configured with a WSUS server.
Tries to connect to a WSUS on the network.
Provides feedback on the connection failures; as a result you
can
resolve the client computer's DNS problem.
Note the dashboard has three sections: Machine state, Windows
Update Agent configuration settings (expanded in the screenshot below)
and WSUS Server Connectivity.
Here is a reminder of the basic WSUS (Windows Server Update Services)
concept. Microsoft's website provides the update packages.
XP and later Windows machines have a Windows Update service for
installing these packages.
A useful option for medium and large networks is to install the WSUS
role on one of their servers, this acts as a holding station for
Microsoft's patches. Perhaps an even bigger benefit than saving
internet bandwidth is the ability for Administrators to control which
updates get installed, on which clients, at which time.
WSUS is a thing of beauty when it works, but if it goes wrong there
are many places where you need to check the settings; it is at this point
that SolarWinds
WSUS tool is a lifesaver.
Group Policy for WSUS Computer Configuration
Policies (Not preferences) Windows Components Windows Update
Registry Settings for WSUS When testing in a
non–Active Directory Environment here is where you find the Windows Update
settings are stored in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
Useful keys: WUServer and WUStatusServer
The Updates Management Cycle
To help you manage the whole update cycle why not take a look at
SolarWinds Patch Manager (SPM).
The benefit of this bigger SolarWinds product is that in addition to
Microsoft updates, you can push out patches for Mozilla Firefox or Adobe Acrobat, or
alternatively, you can create your own custom packages.
Another big benefit of SolarWinds Patch Manager is reporting. You can see easily which patches have
been applied to which machines.
See more on SolarWinds Patch
Manager.
Summary: Review of SolarWinds Diagnostic Tool for the WSUS Agent
Remember the keywords 'Diagnostic and Agent'. What this tool does
is validate the update agent on Windows client configurations.
Furthermore, it helps in troubleshooting client connection frustrations.
This is my sort of tool because SolarWinds' WSUS suggests repairs.
More Free and Trial Network Software
Here are Guy's reviews, recommendations and download links for additional handy
utilities. Many of these programs are completely free, while others
are fully-functional, but time limited. One common theme is that
SolarWinds give you a free specialist tool ideal for testing, and then
supply a more comprehensive suite for bigger networks. To let you
into a secret, for small networks, the free tool is all you'll ever need.
Guy Recommends:
SolarWinds' NPM - Network Performance Monitor
SolarWinds' performance monitor is designed for detecting network outages,
making it easy to see what's working, and what needs your attention.
This utility guides you through creating network maps; it also helps
identifying whether the
root cause is faulty equipment, or resource overload. Give NPM a try.
