Software update deployments in Configuration Manager 2007 can be best monitored by using the built-in software updates reports. These reports are in the Software Updates - C. Deployment States category in the Reports console tree node. There are two main phases for a deployment: the evaluation phase, when client computers determine whether the software updates in the deployment are required, and the enforcement phase, when client computers report the compliance state for the deployment.

To monitor client evaluation for software update deployments, three main reports should be used. The States 2 - Evaluation states for a deployment report summarizes the evaluation state of client computers for a specified deployment. This report provides information about whether the client computer was able to successfully evaluate the deployment. Then, the States 4 - Computers in a specific state for a deployment <secondary> report can be drilled into to get more information about the client computer within a specified state. Finally, the States 7 - Error status messages for a computer can be drilled into to get all error messages for the deployment on the specific computer.

To monitor client enforcement for software update deployments, three main reports should be used. The States 1 - Enforcement states for a deployment report summarizes the enforcement state of client computers for a specified deployment. This report provides information about the state for installing the updates in the deployment; for example, downloading the update, installing the update, successfully installed the update, and so on. Then, the States 4 - Computers in a specific state for a deployment <secondary> report can be drilled into to get more information about the client computer within a specified state. Finally, the States 7 - Error status messages for a computer can be drilled into to get all error messages for the deployment on the specific computer.

Note
To verify the status of software update deployed to SMS 2003 clients, use the reports in the Software Updates - E. Distribution Status for SMS 2003 Clients category.

Use the following procedure to monitor software update deployments using reports.

To monitor deployment evaluation

  1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Computer Management / Reporting / Reports.

  2. Right-click States 2 - Evaluation states for a deployment, and then click Run.

  3. In the Deployment ID box, click Values to view a list of possible deployments to choose, and then click the deployment. To limit the list, in the Deployment ID text box enter part of the deployment name followed by the percent wildcard, and then click Values.

  4. Click Display to view the report. The evaluation states for the deployment are listed with the number of client computers in each state.

  5. Click the Report Link icon in the first column on any row to open the States 4 - Computers in a specific state for a deployment <secondary> report to display the computer information, the last time a state message was received from the client computer, the evaluation state for the deployment, and the error status if one exists.

  6. If there are errors, click the Report Link icon in the row that contains the error to open the States 7 - Error status messages for a computer report.

  7. After reviewing the report, click Close, and then click Close.

To monitor deployment enforcement

  1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Computer Management / Reporting / Reports.

  2. Right-click States 1 - Enforcement states for a deployment, and then click Run.

  3. In the Deployment ID box, click Values to view a list of possible deployments to choose, and then click the deployment. To limit the list, in the Deployment ID text box enter part of the deployment name followed by the percent wildcard, and then click Values.

  4. Click Display to view the report. The enforcement states for the deployment are listed with the number of client computers in each state.

  5. Click the Report Link icon in the first column on any row to open the States 4 - Computers in a specific state for a deployment <secondary> report to display the computer information, the last time a state message was received from the client computer, the enforcement state for the deployment, and the error status if one exists.

  6. If there are errors, click the Report Link icon in the row that contains the error to open the States 7 - Error status messages for a computer report.

  7. After reviewing the report, click Close, and then click Close.

See Also