At various points in the software updates process, you can use Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 reports to view the compliance levels for specific vulnerabilities and software updates, monitor the state of software update deployments, and check the health of the software update components. For example, if a new critical update is released for a particular vulnerability in Windows Server 2003, you can run a report that shows all the computers running Windows Server 2003 in your enterprise that are missing the critical update. When you authorize and deploy that software update, you can periodically run another report that shows compliance levels as reflected in state messages.
The following table lists the features that are available for monitoring software update processes.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
|
Software updates status messages |
The software updates components send status messages that contain information about the component installation, component processes, and component health. You can use the Configuration Manager 2007 status system to view the status messages for software updates components to help with monitoring and troubleshooting. |
|
Software updates reporting |
Software updates state messages provide information about the compliance of software updates and the evaluation and enforcement state of software update deployments. The software updates reports are used to display the state messages. There are more than 25 predefined software updates reports organized in several categories that can be used to report on specific information about software updates and deployments. For information about software updates reports, see About Software Updates Reports. In addition to using the preconfigured reports, you can also create custom software updates reports, tailored to the needs of your enterprise. For more information, see Reporting in Configuration Manager. |