Using ConfigCID.exe to implement XML configuration file changes

The command line utility ConfigCID.exe enables you to implement configuration changes contained in endpoint software XML configuration files, by modifying the catalog files in your update location (Central Installation Directory, or CID). Your computers will then update themselves with their new configuration from the XML configuration files.

Sophos AutoUpdate (the updating component of endpoint software) uses catalog files called cidsync.upd to determine which files it should download from an update location (CID). When you add XML configuration files (e.g. those created with ExportConfig.exe) to your update locations, you must update the catalog files to ensure that your XML files are used. The knowledgebase article on ExportConfig.exe describes how to create, and where to place, configuration XML files.

Known to apply to the following Sophos product(s) and version(s)
Enterprise Console 3.0
Enterprise Console 3.1.0
Enterprise Console 3.1.1
Enterprise Console 4.0.0
Enterprise Console 4.5.0
Enterprise Console 4.7.0
Sophos Enterprise Manager 4.7.0
ConfigCID

• On a server running Enterprise Console 3.x
• ConfigCID.exe is available in the TOOLS folder on the Sophos Anti-Virus Network Install CD, or in the unpacked TOOLS folder (for example) C:\sec31\Tools\. You must place ConfigCID.exe in C:\Program Files\Sophos\Enterprise Console\ before performing the procedure below.
• On a server running Enterprise Console 4.x
  
• ConfigCID.exe is available in the C:\Program Files\Sophos\Enterprise Console\SUM\ folder.
• On a server running Enterprise Manager 4.x
• ConfigCID.exe is available in the C:\Program Files\Sophos\Enterprise Manager\Update Manager\ folder.

NOTE: The "Program Files" folder is "Program Files (x86)" on Windows 64-bit.

What to do

1. To use ConfigCID.exe, you must have write access to the update location. Check this.
2. Run ConfigCID.exe from a command prompt, specifying the path to the update location as shown below. Type:
   
   Endpoint software version 9 or later: configcid \\[servername]\SophosUpdate\CIDs\Sxxx\[package]
Earlier versions of Sophos products: configcid \\[servername]\interchk\esxp

Before modifying the update location, and the catalog files that it contains, ConfigCID.exe performs some checks to ensure this can be done safely. Then ConfigCID.exe adds, removes, or changes the entries in the catalogue files for the xml files. Networked computers will then download the new configuration on their next scheduled update.

If you receive an error stating "Failed to open catalog..." please check the UNC path is correct and can be accessed.  If you specified a local path please ensure the path is enclosed with double quotes.