Topic Last Updated—August 2008
Every software update that has been synchronized displays in the Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 console, and the first column for each software update contains one of four icons. This section provides information about each icon that can be associated with a software update.
Normal Icon
The green icon represents a normal
software update.
Description:
Software updates that have been synchronized available for deployment.
Operational Concerns:
There are no operational concerns.
Expired Icon
The grey icon represents an expired
software update. Expired software updates can also be identified by
viewing the Expired column for the software update when it displays
in the Configuration Manager console.
Description:
Expired software updates were previously deployable to client computers, but once a software update is expired, new deployments can no longer be created for the updates. Existing deployments that contain an expired update continues to work.
Operational Concerns:
Expired software updates should be replaced when possible. Expired software updates that have been deployed continue to work and will continue to be tracked for software update compliance. Expired software updates are considered "not required" for reporting purposes.
Superseded Icon
The yellow icon represents a
software update that has been superseded by another update.
Superseded updates can also be identified by viewing the Superseded
column for the software update when it displays in the
Configuration Manager console.
Description:
Superseded software updates have been replaced with newer versions of the update, but are still deployable. For example, a software update that has been included in a service pack or update rollup would be superseded.
Operational Concerns:
When possible, you should deploy the superseding software update to client computers instead of the update that was superseded. When selecting a superseded software update in the Configuration Manager console, the Superseded tab displays that provides a list of the software updates that supersede the selected update.
Invalid Icon
The red icon represents an invalid
software update.
Description:
Invalid software updates are deployed but for some reason, the content (update file) is not available. There are 2 main ways this could happen – first is that updates get deployed successfully but sometime later someone deletes the update binary from a package; second is one a child site, where the deployment created at a parent site has been replicated successfully, but for some reason, the deployment packages have not been replicated to a distribution point for the child site
Operational Concerns:
The invalid software update needs to be redeployed. When content is missing for an update in a deployment created at a parent site, the software update needs to replicated or re-downloaded on child sites.
Metadata-Only Icon
The blue icon represents a
metadata-only software update.
Description:
Metadata-only software updates are available in the Configuration Manager console for reporting and cannot be deployed or downloaded because an update file is not associated with the software updates metadata.
Operational Concerns:
Metadata-only software updates are available for reporting purposes and are not intended to be used in software update deployments.
Locked Software Update Icons
The software updates metadata is synchronized at the highest site in the Configuration Manager hierarchy that has an active software update point, which is usually the central site. The properties for the software updates can be modified at the central site, but at child sites the properties are locked. This is indicated by a lock displayed on the software update icon.