SQL Server 2005 SP2 - Recommended Build?
As you might (or might not?) know, since SQL Server 2005 the SQL Server team has moved away from the current priority-driven hotfix release model to a scheduled delivery model, called Incremental Servicing Model (for more info: https://blogs.technet.com/beatrice/archive/2007/07/11/incremental-servicing-model.aspx)
This means that now we are using, together with the standard hotfixes we were used to, Cumulative Updates which will include all On-Demand Hotfixes that have been released leading up to the delivery of the cumulative update, as well as fixes created for less critical problems that don't meet the urgency requirements of the On-Demand Hotfixes.
These are released every 2 months, and latest one is CU7: https://blogs.technet.com/beatrice/archive/2007/07/11/incremental-servicing-model.aspx
Now, as Microsoft states:
"This Cumulative update is intended to correct only the problems that are described in this article. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing these specific problems. This cumulative update package may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by any of these problems, we recommend that you wait for the next SQL Server 2005 service pack that contains the hotfixes in this cumulative update package. "
Ok therefore, should you remain on standard SP2 (Build 3042)?
Nope.
Minimal recommended build for SQL Server 2005 SP2 is either 3054 or 3159 and NOT the standard 3042.
There is a well-documented blog post from Bob Ward (Microsoft SENIOR ESCALATION ENGINEER) which explains whether you need 3054 or 3159, and I recommend you to have a look:
SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 (SP2) Re-release and post fixes explained
- Beatrice Nicolini -
Comments
- Anonymous
January 01, 2003
I've blogged some time ago about Microsoft recommendation for SQL Server SP2 builds: SQL Server 2005