Re: Windows patch mgmt.

[Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers <bugtraq () planetcobalt net>]

On 2004-06-23 Depp, Dennis M. wrote:
> I haven't used Windws update Server, but my understanding was this did
> not allow you to verify the patch was installed.  Has this changed or am
> I just wrong?

No, you're right. It allows only for deployment of patches. If you want
to verify whether patches have been installed you will have to use some
additional tool like MBSA or hfnetchk. I would prefer hfnetchk, since
it's scriptable, but YMMV.

However, if I understood the OP correctly, he does not only want to
verify the installation of a patch but also to verify if a patch breaks
something *before* it gets rolled out into production. Therefore one
would need a separate net for testing purposes and at least two Update
Servers: one to get the patches from MS and provide them to the test
systems, the other to get the patches from the first SUS (after testing
is done) and do the rollout.

Regards
Ansgar Wiechers

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ethical Hacking at the InfoSec Institute. Mention this ad and get $545 off 
any course! All of our class sizes are guaranteed to be 10 students or less 
to facilitate one-on-one interaction with one of our expert instructors. 
Attend a course taught by an expert instructor with years of in-the-field 
pen testing experience in our state of the art hacking lab. Master the skills 
of an Ethical Hacker to better assess the security of your organization. 
Visit us at: 
http://www.infosecinstitute.com/courses/ethical_hacking_training.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------