Monday, April 12, 2010

SQL Server - Patching : An Incremental Servicing Model is available from the SQL Server team to deliver hotfixes for reported problems


 

An Incremental Servicing Model is available from the SQL Server team to deliver hotfixes for reported problems


 

The SQL Server team is moving away from the current priority-driven hotfix release model to a scheduled delivery model. In the scheduled delivery model, a customer can receive a hotfix to address their most critical situations with a short turn-around time. Additionally, a customer can receive a fix that has undergone more testing and that is released on a schedule basis. Therefore, the SQL Server team has created the following delivery mechanisms.

Critical On Demand - COD

On Demand- OD

Cumulative Update - CU

General Distribution Release - GDR

The hotfix is released on or before a mutually agreed upon date based on the customer's need

The hotfix is released on or before a mutually agreed upon date based on the customer's need

The update is released every 2 months.

A GDR addresses an issue that has a broad customer impact, that has security implications, or that has both. A GDR is determined and issued by Microsoft as appropriate and when appropriate. GDRs are kept to a minimum.

  

It contains all previous critical on-demand hotfixes to date.

 


 

ISM eliminates the need for hotfix rollup releases. The first CU after a new release contains the hotfix rollup, plus any additional QFEs.

A hotfix package does not replace a service pack. A hotfix package is optional. A hotfix package can be installed or uninstalled at any time. Additionally, hotfix packages are cumulative. Therefore, the latest OD hotfix package or CU hotfix package includes all previously released hotfixes.

Quick Fix Engineering - QFEs are used for the majority of fixes where the effects of the problem are not widespread or severe enough to warrant a GDR.

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