WSUS 3.2 SP2 with KB2720211 and later KB2734608 rebuilt as WSUS 6.3.9600.16384. Will clients connect back OK after initial Sync to parent server?

Question

Hello all, after many iteration of trying to fix 11 DSS running Windows 2008 R2 WSUS 3.2 SP2 sync issues with parent USS, we have decided to gradually move towards WSUS 6.3.9600.16384 on Windows 2012 R2.
I have already built a Windows 2012 R2 WSUS server (which will eventually replace the current 2008 R2 WSUS 3.2 SP2 master server) The sync is OK. There was no error on the data base side or anything.
The idea now is to gradually pick one DSS, rebuild it with Windows 2012 R2 WSUS service, and sync it with newly built and to be main primary server. The fact that I actually picked up a working WSUS 3.2 and rebuilt it with WSUS 6.3, will the clients still
talk back and connect? Or this version uses totally different update engine..in that case, how is it all going to work?
Shahidul

Answer 1

The fact that I actually picked up a working WSUS 3.2 and rebuilt it with WSUS 6.3, will the clients still talk back and connect?
Theoretically, yes; but in practicality, probably not.
Almost certainly your original WSUS v3 server was installed to the Default Web Site (port 80). WSUS v6 servers default to their own v-root on port 8530, so at a minimum you will need to reconfigure the GPO that tells the clients where to find their WSUS
Server. However, once you do that, the clients will register automatically.
The second part of this question relates to target groups.
If you're using Client-Side Targeting and you've created the groups on the new WSUS Server, the clients will automatically register in their policy-assigned groups.
If you're using Server-Side Targeting, you'll have to use the console to reassign the clients from "Unassigned Computers" to their correct target group(s).
Lawrence Garvin, M.S., MCSA, MCITP:EA, MCDBA
SolarWinds Head Geek
Microsoft MVP - Software Packaging, Deployment & Servicing (2005-2014)
My MVP Profile: http://mvp.microsoft.com/en-us/mvp/Lawrence%20R%20Garvin-32101
http://www.solarwinds.com/gotmicrosoft
The views expressed on this post are mine and do not necessarily reflect the views of SolarWinds.