New naming schema for Exchange Server software update packages

Microsoft has adopted a standardized naming schema for all software update packages (patch or update) for Exchange Server that are created and distributed by Microsoft. The new naming schema will go into effect for all update packages in April 2003.

Note An Exchange Server software update is an executable (.exe) file that contains one or more system files that you can apply to Exchange Server to correct a specific problem. Software updates are distributed by Microsoft Product Support Services (PSS) to customers who are severely affected by a specific problem. Critical and recommended software updates are software updates that Microsoft recommends for all customers. Critical or recommended software updates can be obtained from the Windows Update site, the Microsoft Download Center, or from other Microsoft Web sites.

Microsoft has adopted this new naming schema for software update packages for the following reasons:

• It creates consistency across Microsoft software update packages.
• It improves the ability to search for software update packages and Microsoft Knowledge Base articles.
• It clearly notes the language of a software update package and the intended operating system when applicable.

This article contains additional information about the new standardized naming schema for Exchange Server software update packages.

New Schema for Naming Exchange Server Software Update Packages

Exchange Server software update packages are named using the following schema: The following list provides information about each attribute in the new naming schema:

• ProductName
  The full product name, including the product version information. For Exchange Server hotfixes, this attribute will be one of the following:
  • Exchange5.5
  • Exchange2000
• KB
  This attribute indicates that an article exists in the Microsoft Knowledge Base that is associated with the software update.
• ArticleNumber
  The ID number of the Microsoft Knowledge Base article that is associated with the software update.
• Option (Optional attribute)
  This optional attribute is used to differentiate software update packages that address the same issue but are designed for different processor platforms. These options include:
  • x86 (for 32-bit processors)
  • AMD64 (for x86-64bit AMD processors)
  • IA64 (for 64-bit Intel Processors)
• Language
  The standard language name abbreviation that represents the language the software update package is intended for. For example, ENU (for English), RUS (for Russian), JPN (for Japanese).
  
  Note The abbreviation INTL is used in cases where the software update package applies to multiple languages. In cases where the software update package applies to all languages, no standard language name abbreviation is used.
  
  For a complete list of standard language name abbreviations, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
  http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/nlsweb/default.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/nlsweb/default.mspx)