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How to Export Software Updates

Software update definitions can be exported in System Center Updates Publisher by using the Export Wizard. The wizard can export specified software updates, or all updates with the publish flag set, to a cabinet (CAB) file that can be imported by other publishing tools. In Updates Publisher 3.0 and Updates Publisher 4.0, the wizard provides an option to export the software updates to a test catalog Extensible Markup Language (XML) file for testing.

Note

System Center Updates Publisher 4.0 added support for updates that have dependencies, such as drivers and bundles. During the export process for these updates, the update and its dependencies are exported. Updates with dependencies that are not in the local Updates Publisher database can be exported, but a warning message might display before the export process completes. Updates with dependencies cannot be exported for testing.

Use the following procedure to export software update definitions to a catalog.

To export software updates

  1. Do one of the following:

    • Manually select software update definitions for export

      Select a vendor or product node to export all software update definitions in the node and sub nodes to the catalog file, or select individual definitions by highlighting a product node and selecting the updates in the results pane. Right-click the highlighted console tree node or software update definition, and then click Export.

    • Export all software update definitions with the publish flag set

      Right-click System Center Updates Publisher, <vendor name>, or <product name> in the Updates Publisher console tree, and then click Export.

  2. Specify one of the following settings on the Specify Export Type page:

    • Export selected updates to a cabinet file that can be imported by other publishers: Specify this setting to export the selected software update definitions to a CAB file that can be imported by other publishing tools.

    • Export selected updates to a test catalog XML file and supporting scan files for testing: Specify this setting to test whether the software update definitions that were selected work as expected. A catalog XML file is created, along with the custom updates scan tool, schema files, and a script with the appropriate command-line parameters. The files in the export for test folder provide the ability to test a catalog without publishing the catalog to an update server.

      Note

      This setting applies only to Updates Publisher 3.0 and Updates Publisher 4.0.

    • Export all updates in the updates publisher database that have the publish flag set: Specify this setting to export all software update definitions that have the publish flag set to a CAB file that can be imported by other publishing tools.

    Click Next.

  3. Specify the path for the exported or test catalog by configuring one of the following:

    • When the Export selected updates to a cabinet file that can be imported by other publishers or Export all updates in the updates publisher database that have the publish flag set setting is specified on the previous page, configure the Export Path on the Specify Export Path page. The default location for the exported catalog is %USERPROFILE%\My Documents\My Catalogs\MyUpdatesCatalog.cab. To use a different path, enter the export path in the text box, or click Browse to select the folder for the catalog file.

    • When the Export selected updates to a test catalog XML file and supporting scan files for testing setting is configured on the previous page, configure the Export For Test Path on the Specify Export for Test Path page. Enter the export for test path in the text box, or click Browse to select the folder for the test catalog and supporting test files.

    Click Next.

  4. Click Next to export the updates.

    The Progress page displays the status and progress while exporting the software updates.

  5. Click Close to exit the wizard. The Confirmation page displays a summary of the configured properties for the exported software updates. If an error occurs while exporting the software updates, an error message displays and the export process is canceled.

    Important

    When you distribute your catalog file, always copy UpdatesCatalog.xml to the same location as UpdatesCatalog.cab. Otherwise, Updates Publisher cannot tell whether it has retrieved the most recent version of the catalog.

See Also

Tasks

How to Use the Export for Test Catalog

Concepts

About the Export Process
About the Export Wizard
Results Pane

Other Resources

Exporting Software Updates
Export Wizard