August 20, 2010 at 2:58 am
Hi Folks,
there is a confusing variety of updates for SQL Server 2008. There are service packs, feature packs, hot fixes and updates available. Does anybody know how they are related to each other? Are the feature packs and updates included in the newest service pack?
appreciate your answer
alex
August 20, 2010 at 5:18 am
There are service packs, feature packs, hot fixes and updates available
Hot Fixes are for one issue or may be more then one of similar nature. They are release frequently by MS.
Updates are bundle of the some hotfixes which is released after some intensive testing.
The gap between release of hotfix is less as compare to Updates.
WHereas Service Packs is Full fleged Product Pack which is inclusive of all hotfixes / updates since last service pack or base version.
This is released less frequently by MS.
I am not much aware on the Feature Pack.
Hope to get more information from the group.
August 20, 2010 at 6:49 am
Thanks so far, chetanr.jain !
The issue is far more clear now. The Service Pack is thus cumulative collection of updates and hot fixes. Still the issue with feature packs remains unclear.
August 20, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Feature Packs are added functionality that may have been an afterthought or just not in high enough demand to add to SQL Server outta the box or to a Service Pack. For example adding backwards compatibility to SQL 2005 and 2008 to view SQL 2000 DTS packages is part of a Feature Pack. Also adding support or drivers, like PHP support, or report add-ins or even upgrade advisers and extra utilities are part of SQL Feature Packs. Here's a URL to the SQL 2008 Feature Pack which also shows all the things it adds.
I like the idea of doing it this way because it avoids SQL from getting too bloated.
Sam
August 21, 2010 at 5:50 am
Thank you Sam,
according to your answer, feature packs are not included in service packs. Simply said, hot fixes, updates and service packs are for fixing bugs. Feature packs provide a new functionality?
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