Cumulative Updates
I have installed SQL Server 2005 SP3 and everything went fine with no errors. However now I am reading that I need to load these other "Hot Fixes" or DO I ?
I was told that once I installed SQL 2005 SP3 that I need to load "Cumulative Update 1 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3" and as I was reading I found out that there are Nine (9) more. (Jeez Louise that's allot of downloading and time installing)
Simplified Question to you:
1) Do I have to install all 9 Cumulative Updates (1-9) or can I just load the first one (1)? and
2) How do I know which Download to install? For example No.2 Cumulative Update has 3 downloads: a) SQL_Server_2005_SP3_Cumulative_Update_2
b) SQL_Server_2005_SP3_Cumulative_Update_2_SNAC
c) SQL_Server_2005_SP3_CU2_ASOLEDB_redist
and so forth and so on for the next 7 updates? Please advise as to the proper procedure any tips, suggestions etc.. will be greatly appreciated and to show you how GRATEFUL I am after you help me I will write a letter on our letterhead thanking you (which today no body ever writes thank you letters) and I will send it to whomever you choose or you just may put on your website or whomever you may choose to send it to.
Sincerely Grateful,
Randy Nicoll
Here is the good website you might interested.
http://www.sqlsecurity.com/FAQs/SQLServerVersionDatabase/tabid/63/Default.aspx
You just need Cumulative Update 9. The key is in the name 'Cumulative' - i.e. it includes everything from previous cumulative updates.
As for which one to download, the rule of thumb is - download the biggest one. The smaller ones patch subsystems only.
Also, you only need to install Cumulative Updates if you are being affected by the fixed issues. Cumulative updates go through a much less rigorous testing process than service packs, so if you're not being affected by any of the listed issues, then just wait for the next SP.
Hope that helps.
IMO CU's are recommended to resolved a specific issue you have that is resolved in the CU. I only install a CU if that is the case, as not as much testing is gone into CU's as service packs.
CU are just like SPs in the way you can install the last one and all the previous ones are included. i.e CU9 will include all hotfixes that are included in 1 through 8.
SNAC is the SQL Server native client and again IMO I only install if needed.
