System Center Online : Update

New update for AIS 1.5 client is now available on Microsoft Update - 3/24/2009

annikae — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:31:00 GMT

AIS 1.5 was upgraded at the end of February and is not in preview mode anymore. In the upgrade we made changes to the client to provide the best possible license reconciliation reports to you.

The client changes are now available from Microsoft update.

It is important that you update your clients to the latest version so your installed software can be reconciled against your licenses.

Client versions

AIS 1.0 - November 2007

Client version 1.0.263.0. Provided software inventory capabilities.

AIS 1.5 preview – November 2008

Client version 1.0.501.0. Collected additional data needed for license reconciliation. We also improved the reliability by changing the way the client was scheduled to run. You should not miss an inventory upload if you have this version of the client.

AIS 1.5 – February 2009

Client version 1.0.575.0. We fine tuned the collection of data regarding the licenses of the installed software. This version also contains the reliability improvements that came in 1.0.501.0.

Upgrade paths

If you are running the AIS 1.0 client you should upgrade to the newest version directly. It contains all the changes.

If you upgraded in November last year, or became a new AIS customer since then, you should also upgrade to the latest version to make sure your license reports are comprehensive.

If you are a new customer and downloaded your client package after Feb 28^th2009, you already have the latest version.

More information

KB article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968994
Description of the client update functionality: http://blogs.technet.com/systemcenteronline/archive/2008/05/14/how-does-the-client-in-asset-inventory-service-update-itself.aspx

AIS 1.5 client update is now available from Microsoft Update

annikae — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:11:00 GMT

The client for AIS 1.5 has been available to you to download from the AIS website since the service upgrade on October 31st, and today it is also available for automatic upgrade via Microsoft Update.

As we have said in previous posts, if you want to get this upgrade, you do not have to do anything. The client is designed to upgrade itself.

The upgraded clients will collect additional data that is necessary for the licensing feature and we have also improved how the tasks that run the client are scheduled. You can read more about the changes here.

If you are curious on how the client upgrades itself, read more here!

How does the Client in Asset Inventory Service update itself?

annikae — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:18:00 GMT

This blog entry will give you an insight into the self-initiated update functionality of the System Center Online Client.

The SC Online client you have installed on your computers does not only perform inventory scans, it also makes sure it is up-to-date with the latest released version of its software.

How does the Client update itself?

The System Center Online Client can update itself either through the standard Windows Update experience or by self initiating the update directly through the System Center Online Client.

Updated via Microsoft Update:

The SC Online client can automatically update itself through the Windows Update experience. If a system is “opted-in” to Microsoft Update and is set to download and install Recommended and Important updates, your SC Online clients will be updated depending on your client settings (e.g. Automatically download and install or notify).

Self-initiated update:

For systems not opted into Microsoft Update, or not set to download Recommended updates, the System Center Online Services client can still update itself to the latest version.

When the client runs it looks for updates to itself.

If a new update is found, it will be downloaded and installed after the current session has finished, to make sure there is no reboot required when the update is installed.

If the update system in Windows is set to get updates from an internal server (ex. WSUS), it will look there first.

The client stops looking if the internal server does not have any updates. However, if the server is not reachable the client connects to Microsoft Update. This functionality can be turned off if you do not want clients to connect to Microsoft Update as a backup if they are outside of the corporate network. A laptop that is connecting to the internet from home is a perfect example of this situation.

Use the Administrative Template if you wish to turn off direct access to Microsoft Update. We recommend that you only turn it off if you are using a separate update server (ex. WSUS) or if the computer is running Vista and opted-in to Microsoft Update. In the other cases, the clients will not be updated if direct access is turned off.

What classifications does the Client use?

Client updates can come in these classifications:

- Security Update in case a vulnerability is found. Designated as Important.

- Update to improve the current version. Designated as Recommended.

- New functionality. Designated as Optional, but very recommended by the product team!

The frequency of updates for the client will be low. We estimate it to be up to two per year.

Why self-initiated update?

The purpose of having the client to update itself is to provide updates for only this product, while using the reliable Microsoft Update channel. The computer does not have to opt-in for updates from other Microsoft products. It is also the only way Recommended and Optional updates will be available for Windows 2000 and XP. Automatic update agent will only install Important updates on those operating systems.

A client that initiates the search for and installation of new updates enables the full functionality for all operating systems supported by AIS, not just Vista.

What’s coming?!

When Microsoft Volume License Reconciliation is added to your Asset Inventory Service later in 2008, we will also release a new version of the client. It will be available when the preview is released. A Product Family and Category will be published so it will be visible in WSUS servers.

The update will contain improvements that make the client gather more detailed data about the licensing information to enable the new addition to the service. It will also improve the reliability of the scheduling of the tasks that run the client.

We really appreciate if you take the time to participate in the Preview of our upcoming release and provide feedback on the service addition that can go into the official release! Look for a new tab in the Web UI, and use the TechNet forums to provide feedback.

Annika Elias

Program Manager

System Center Online