Update Rollup delivery model for Windows Small Business Server 2008

Microsoft is changing how it delivers updates to Windows SBS 2008 customers. In the past, Microsoft prioritized and delivered updates for Windows SBS 2008 on an “as needed” basis. Now, it continues to prioritize these updates in the usual way, and then it delivers the updates on a regular schedule in an “update rollup.” This delivery model is more predictable, and it enables you to better prepare for update deployments. When necessary, Microsoft can still deliver critical or emergency updates outside of the regular schedule.

What is an “update rollup”?

An update rollup is a cumulative set of tested security updates, critical updates, and other updates that are packaged together for easy deployment.

Note

For descriptions of the different types of software updates that Microsoft offers, see “Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates” at the Microsoft Knowledge Base Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=153132).

What is contained in an update rollup for Windows Small Business Server 2008?

An update rollup for Windows SBS 2008 includes the following:

• New updates for issues that meet the update acceptance criteria. The acceptance criteria includes the impact to customers, the availability of alternative solutions, the complexity of the issue, and the risk associated with integrating a hotfix into the product.

• All updates delivered to date.

What is not contained in an update rollup for Windows Small Business Server 2008?

An update rollup for Windows SBS 2008 does not include updates for other applications, such as Microsoft Exchange Server.

How often does Microsoft release an update rollup package for Windows SBS 2008?

Microsoft plans to release an update rollup for Windows SBS 2008 three times each year.

How do I obtain and install an update rollup for Windows Small Business Server 2008?

Because Microsoft identifies update rollups for Windows SBS 2008 as “Important” updates, you do not need to search for the update rollups online or worry that the rollups might be missing from your server. Windows SBS 2008 automatically checks for the most recent updates and then installs the important updates by default.

What are the benefits of installing an update rollup for Windows Small Business Server 2008?

Because an update rollup is cumulative, you do not need to install multiple updates or update rollups. To bring Windows SBS 2008 up-to-date, simply install the most recent update rollup.