No release.dat files in the latest Latitude Exx20 or Optiplex 790 CABs

Hi I have noticed this too.

The CAB for the E6520 contains the release.dat files.
The CAB for the E6320 Does NOT contain the release.dat files.

Additionally looking at some older CABS i have imported previously I have noticed that the CAB for the E6410 was missing the release.dat files too but I just downloaded the latest version which now contains them. So Im off to delete and re-import the E6410 driver package now!

Any idea when an updated CAB will be released for the E6320 containing release.dat files or will I need to create a script as suggested by the OP.

Thanks.

There is a Microsoft patch (I don't have the link handy) that addresses the importing issue that required the release.dat files to be included. Unless you are using Categories heavily in your targeting, you should look at patching your ConfigMgr environment so that driver cabs without release.dat files will import correctly. Dell's use of release.dat files is a workaround that has been addressed with the MS patch and we will discontinue it's use at some time in the future.

Yes I've used this patch. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2213600. Your ConfigMgr must be up to SP2 level.

I have the patch installed at this current client and it does not provide all the functionality of a release.dat file. The patch allows you to import a driver multiple times into different folders, but it still only keeps one copy of the driver, so you end up with the one driver file referenced in multiple driver folders and packages. When you delete the driver to replace it, it will be deleted from all the driver folders that have the same driver. If you use the release.dat file (or any file), then it will import the driver as a new dirver and it will only be referenced in the driver folder/package you imported it into - makes ongoing maintenance much easier.

There has been a "patch for the patch" released which may address the issue you describe. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2513499