Self-Service Hotfixes

Those of you who read my blog regularly may have noticed the previous post and maybe more important the comments on this post.Somehow I think we were not the only ones having this questions and remarks. As a follow-up please read the following blog posts as they are very relevant to the discussion.

First of all there is the Self-Service hotfix which is explained here. This allows you to download CU's without formally contacting Microsoft Support.

Second of all there is a nice explanation about the new Service Pack approach here. Basically is sums up the ISM model again but the news is that they will include Service Packs into this model too, which means they will also be released on schedule and more often!

Great news and again excellent proof that Microsoft is willing to listen to it's customers.

*NOTE*Self-service: I had to change my country to United States in order to get the download link on top.

SQL Server 2005 SP2 Cumulative Hotfix Packages and SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3

The guys @ Microsoft have been busy improving the quality of SQL Server even more.

First of all CU7 was released (Build 3239) here.
As usual this means CU8 has been announced here.

I know there has been a lot of requests from the customers to release Service Pack 3 for SQL Server 2005. Although I see the benefits in the Incremental Servicing Model many people like the "certainty" of a good old service pack. Because Microsoft listens to its customers they have decided to release Service Pack 3 this year. More information can be found here.

SQL Server 2005 SP2 Cumulative Hotfix Package 7 - Announced

With every release comes a new announcement of course.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949095/

SQL Server 2005 SP2 Cumulative Hotfix Package 6 - Released

It is out there! The build number is 3228.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946608/

SQL Server 2005 SP2 Cumulative Hotfix Package 6 - Announced

Because CU5 is released here is the next announcement.
The question is of course how many of you have already implemented CU5?

SQL Server 2005 SP2 Cumulative Hotfix Package 5 - Released

It is out there! The build number is 3215.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943656/

SQL Server 2005 SP2 Cumulative Hotfix Package 5 - Announced

We are in the process of gradually upgrading our servers to CU4 now (build 3200) and here is the next announcement.

I know many people think they are messing about with SQL Server 2005 and that it has more bugs than other products but this is not the case.
Releasing this many hotfixes is all part of a new strategy of the "incremental servicing model" which is explained here.

So do not panic, updates like this will be released every 2 months.

SQL Server 2005 SP2 Cumulative Hotfix Package 4 - Released

It is out there! We are at the nice round build 3200.
Same as with CU3 there is also no download available.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/941450

SQL Server 2005 SP2 Cumulative Hotfix Package 4

Probably a bit early since the previous package is not yet available, but knowledge is power they say.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941450

SQL Server 2005 SP2 Cumulative Hotfix Package 3

Keep an eye out for KB939537 which will be the next cumulative hotfix package for SQL Server 2005 SP2. Unfortunately the fix itself is not yet available for download.

Any guesses on the build number? I'm going for 3193 :-)

*EDIT*
It is build 3186 so I was pretty close but too pessimistic ;-)