SQL Server updates - newbie

[R7Dave]

Hello

I am new to being a DBA and was informed that SQL Server updates have never been applied.

I am currently running...

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - 9.00.3215.00 (Intel X86) Dec 8 2007 18:51:32 Copyright (c) 1988-2005 Microsoft Corporation Standard Edition on Windows NT 5.2 (Build 3790: Service Pack 2)

Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition sp2

According to our windows team - these updates need to b applied...

Security Update for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 (KB948108)
Security Update for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 (KB954607)
Security Update for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 (KB960090)
Security Update for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 (KB970896)
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3 (KB955706)
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 4 (KB2463332)
SQL Server 2005 Books Online (February 2007)

My question

1.) Am I understanding correctly that if I install "Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 4 (KB2463332)" it would include all of the fixes from SP2 & SP3 - it is cumulative? (based on

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2463332)

So I would not need to run SP2 & SP3 and install SQL Server 2005 Books Online only if required.


2.) What concerns should I have with installing a service pack? As a DBA, what should I be doing besides notifying the users of downtime for a restart and applying the patch?

Thanks in advance
Dave

 

[mrdenny]

1. You only need to install SP4 (there are some patches which are newer, but you only need those CUs if you are having those specific problems.

2. There shouldn't really be any issues other than the downtime which is required. Always backup all your databases before running the SP just in case.

Denny
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[R7Dave]

Thank you - only SP3 was approved so far - I found a decent link too

http://www.sqlcoffee.com/Tips0007.htm

Thanks again for your help.

Dave