Microsoft Corp. has consolidated the database security tools that shield SQL Server 2000 and MSDE 2000 installations from the Slammer worm. SQL Server 2000 SQL Scan, SQL Check and SQL Critical Update are now available in a single download, the SQL Critical Update Kit, which can be downloaded from the Microsoft Web site.
The kit includes two other utilities: the SMS (Systems Management Server) deployment tool, which can be used to create a package in SMS to deploy SQL Server Critical Update, and the Servpriv.exe utility. The latter is required to set appropriate user rights on corresponding service registry keys when running SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 2.
Database administrators can also use the kit to update SQL Server Evaluation editions, which do not support SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 3. MSDE (Microsoft Desktop Engine) is based on SQL Server and ships with several Microsoft products, including Office XP.
Microsoft, of Redmond, Wash., has also developed a wizard to help home and small-business users step through the process of checking and updating computers. This move was in response to the large number of users who, due to the onerous nature of patch installation, hadnt installed patches before Slammer struck in late January. The wizard can be downloaded here. The wizard is also included in the SQL Critical Update Kit.
| Latest Microsoft News: | Latest Security News: |
|---|
Search for more stories by Lisa Vaas.
For more Microsoft scoops, check out Ziff Davis Microsoft Watch.