The SUS/WUS name debate continues…

Today I received notification from Microsoft that the Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) release candidate (RC) is now available. Microsoft’s e-mail to participants of the WSUS open evaluation program (OEP) reads:

“We are pleased to announce that the Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) Release Candidate (RC) released today, Tuesday March 22! The Release Candidate of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), formerly Windows Update Services (WUS), includes new features such as:

• Replica mode for WSUS server hierarchies, making them easier to manage.
• SSL connections between WSUS servers and clients, providing an even more secure end-to-end environment.
• Automatic Update policy to allow non-administrators to receive update notifications, offering greater flexibility in organizations where logged on users are commonly not administrators.”

Thomas Lee notes that “the name is still a curiosity and WSUS appears to fall a bit short of earlier promises in that no SQL or Exchange updates seem to be supported, it’s an important step on the road on the path to a better patch experience for users”.

Further details of the WSUS RC can be found on the Microsoft Update Services (MUS?) website.