Managing the Databases

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server Update Services

The WSUS database is a required component of WSUS. It is configured during setup and stores the following types of information:

  • WSUS server configuration information

  • Metadata that describes what each update is useful for

Aside from the actual update files, the metadata is the second part of every update available on Microsoft Update. Update files are stored separately, either on Microsoft Update, or on your WSUS server. For more information, see Specifying Where to Store Updates.

  • Information about client computers, updates, and client interaction with updates

Depending on your server and network configurations, you are running an MSDE, WMSDE, or SQL Server 2000 database for your WSUS installation. For more information about your database options when installing WSUS, see "Choose the Database Used for WSUS" in Deploying Microsoft Windows Server Update Services.

The following table describes non-deployment tasks you might have to perform as part of regular operations.

Database management tasks

Database Tasks

MSDE

WMSDE
  • Backup / restore. For more information, see Backing Up Windows Server Update Services.

  • Move data to a SQL Server 2000 database (for example, if you are upgrading the database from WMSDE to SQL Server 2000). See

SQL Server 2000
  • Backup / restore.

  • Move data to another SQL Server 2000 database (for example, if you move WSUS to another server and you will again use SQL Server 2000 for the database).

In this section

  • Migrating the database from MSDE or WMSDE to SQL Server 2000