We need to upgrade SQL Server 2K SP3a on our Windows Server 2003 SP1 two
nodes Cluster and I have a doubt regarding how to install the latest hotfix.
My intention is this:

For Service Pack:
Backup all database.
Stop all monitoring software services like MOM.
Restart the servers before installing.
Remove or take offline all resources with dependencies on SQL Server.
Run the SP from the node that own the Group containing the Virtual Server to
upgrade.

This should upgrade all nodes.

Could you please instruct me on how to install the hotfix?
Is Build 2187 the latest?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916287/

Cheers.
Please advise.
--

Thank you very much fot your detailed explanation!
Cheers.
--
Franco

Hotfixes install pretty much like Service Packs. The best time to install
one is right after installing the Service Pack. Simply start the
installation from the current resource group owner node. It is
cluster-aware and will install to all active nodes. Be sure and read the
README file included in the hotfix. As for which hotfix to install, unless
you have a specific issue that a hotfix patches, or it is a security rollup
hotfix, I wouldn't bother applying it. Most specific fixes in a hotfix
require a trace flag to enable anyway, so installing a hotfix won't
necessarily give you an immediate benefit.

2187 is the latest publicly available post SP4 hotfix and is the right one
to add if you need any hotfix after SP4. The most likely one you will need
will be the patch introduced in build 2040 which fixes the AWE memory
problem on 32-bit systems introduced in SP4. You will need this fix if you
have more than 4GB of physical RAM in each host node.


--
Geoff N. Hiten
Senior Database Administrator
Microsoft SQL Server MVP





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