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Subject: Not an april fool - Win2k3 sp1 released

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Lee Drake
Posts:238

04/01/2005 7:06 PM
What it is Users of Windows Server 2003 systems now have a new service pack available to them. Windows 2003 Server SP1 is available from Microsoft. The new service pack fixes some bugs and vulnerabilities, but mostly adds new server features, including the popular Windows XP Firewall configuration, and a security lockdown tool. If you are not running Windows Server systems this won't affect you (IE it won't affect most Viruswarning users). The patch applies to Windows Server 2003 standard, web or enterprise edition. Note that the new version will be rolling out on pre-installed machines as early as next week. One feature of the new version is that you cannot see or send traffic to a newly installed server until all the patches and updates that are available are applied. This is a good thing, but could be confusing to those installing SP1 servers who are used to a different method of installation. At Aztek we always apply patches before working with the server from the outside. The SCW (Security Configuration Wizard) will help you control security on your Win2k3 SP1 and WinXP SP2 machines through group policies. You can enforce using your policies the Windows firewall being turned on for all your systems and servers. You can also place machines that access your system through a VPN in Quarantine until the systems have been vetted as having proper anti-virus, patches and updates installed. Note that you will also need up to 1.4GB of hard disk space on your boot volume to install SP1 (Final disk consumption will be less than 1/2 that amount). We highly recommend not installing on systems with less than 2 GB of hard drive space on the system volume until you have cleared at least that much space. Please refer to the links below for more security patch update and security info - they are too numerous to mention in this message. What you should do For those that are using Windows Server 2003, we highly recommend waiting a few days to see what the installation fallout will be. The Windows XP service pack 2 update took a few software vendors by surprise and made some folks run through hoops to get their software running. Better to let someone else test the new features of Windows 2003 SP1. On the other hand, if this patch offers the same additional security and stability that SP2 proved to offer in the long run - we highly recommend applying this patch assuming no major flaws are found. The download is not for the faint of heart or the lacking in bandwidth - this patch weighs in at 329MB of new code. For those who'd rather order a CD with the patch on it you can do so at the link below for USD $5 or CAD $7.50. Alternatively you can download the patch through Windows Update. Further resources Patch updates: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824721 Patch Security updates: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/prodtech/windowsserver2003/sp1.mspx Patch download site: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?amp;displaylang=en&familyid=22CFC239-337C-4D81-8354-72593B1C1F43&displaylang=en Patch CD Order site: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/downloads/servicepacks/sp1/cdorder.aspx Windows update: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com Lee Drake Aztek Computer Solutions, Inc. 274 N. Goodman St Suite B269 Rochester, NY 14607 the human side of computing Email: ldrake@azcomputer.net Web: www.azcomputer.net Office Phone: 585-242-2060 Fax number: 585-242-9441

Troy Watson
Posts:483

04/05/2005 1:35 PM
The Windows 2003 Server Service Pack 1 update was made available for SUS (Software Update Services) users are approximately the same time. As Lee points out, it's a hefty download for SUS client servers, but at least it can be staged out during off hours. Additionally, SUS utilizes BITS which, in the event your download kicks off early, won't tie up too much of the local office's bandwidth.

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