What Is WSUS? Windows Server Update Services Explained

Windows Update is a crucial component for many computers, ensuring that security patches and bug fixes are released in a timely manner. However, the scenario is different on server machines, as Microsoft provides a distinct update process for them.

This image displays the server interface of the Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

Usually abbreviated as WSUS, it ensures that server computers stay up to date with security updates. But what exactly is it? How does it work, and why should you care? In this article, we'll delve into WSUS, explaining what it is and how it operates. So, let's get started.

WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) is a common method for updating both server and client systems. However, it's often overlooked by organizations, which is a mistake. In this article, we aim to explain how WSUS works and its importance.

This is a common feature of server computers, and one that many organizations could benefit from. So let's stop dilly-dallying, and dive into this aspect of server computers.

What is WSUS?

WSUS, short for Windows Server Update Services, is a distribution service. It allows Microsoft's Windows Update service to perform repairs, update drivers, add features, and ensure timely deployment of other functionalities to Windows servers.

Unlike the automatic handling of Microsoft Updates in Windows, you can use WSUS to apply and manage these updates on various computers and configurations. In other words, it allows you to control the distribution of those updates from a server computer to client computers.

So, assuming that you have a central computer in your organization, you can use that to distribute updates from Microsoft to all of your computers, so you can control your IT network without extra bandwidth, and update your computers The three main features of Windows Server Update Services are

• Windows Defender
• Windows 10 or 11
• Microsoft Office (and associated software/extensions)
• Security patches and updates

So it's great for any organization or company that depends on a fleet of computers.

How does WSUS work?

Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) is a pre-installed service on any Windows Server. You can access it by searching for "Microsoft Windows Server Manager" on your device. Once you've identified the server role on a particular computer, it allows you to administrate it.

And then the other part plays the role of a client, typically another computer within the organization, and this depends on the scale of the IT network and the computers that are used within the network.

And it can be any open server, as long as it's been granted administrative rights. But WSUS has some prerequisites:

• .NET Services
• Microsoft Report Viewer
• Internet Information Services (IIS)
• Windows Internal Database (WID) or SQL

Most versions of Windows Server come with these components preinstalled, so you don't have to install them separately. However, once an administrator deploys the WSUS server to the network, group policy must be configured to set it up on client systems.

Once that's done, users (or administrators) can offer the computer autonomous or peer-to-peer updates. Moreover, client computers do not even need an active internet connection to receive updates from a server – just a connection to the same network.

Define the WSUS server mode

Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) servers operate in two distinct modes. Both allow users or administrators to distribute updates according to their needs, but they differ in how updates are deployed. Here's a breakdown of the differences: 1. **Standalone Mode**: In standalone mode, the WSUS server synchronizes updates directly from the Microsoft Update server. This mode is suitable for environments with only one WSUS server or where central management with other WSUS servers is not required. All approval, deployment, and reporting of updates occur on this server. 2. **Upstream Server Mode**: In upstream server mode, one or more WSUS servers synchronize updates from another WSUS server, referred to as an upstream server, instead of directly from Microsoft Update. This mode is typically used in large organizations or distributed networks where there's a central WSUS server managing updates, and other WSUS servers act as proxies for branch offices or regions. This helps reduce network bandwidth usage and centralizes update policy control. Both modes enable administrators to efficiently manage and distribute updates for Windows systems and other Microsoft products, ensuring devices across the network remain up-to-date and secure.

Autonomous

Automatic mode is the default installation mode for any WSUS-based computer. This is the primary method by which updates are applied to client computers, which are received from Microsoft servers. First, the server receives the updates from an upstream server (the master Microsoft Update).

The administrator can then review, approve, reject, or modify these updates, which are then pushed out to client computers connected to the server.

Replica

In replica mode, you can automatically deploy updates to client computers. Once the server receives these updates from an upstream server, you can review their approval status and distribution policy. However, you do not have to manage these updates individually.

Conclusions

These are some of the key aspects of WSUS – Windows Server Update Services. It's a crucial feature and one of the most convenient tools for any organization or server-based computer network.