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Announcing the Modern Servicing Model for SQL Server
By
Pedro Lopes
Published Mar 23 2019 04:49 PM 21.4K Views
Pedro Lopes
Microsoft
‎Mar 23 2019 04:49 PM

Announcing the Modern Servicing Model for SQL Server

‎Mar 23 2019 04:49 PM

First published on MSDN on Sep 28, 2017

 

Background to SQL Server servicing

Historically, we have released Cumulative Updates (CUs) every 2 months after a major version is released, and roughly yearly Service Packs (SPs), containing fixes from all previous CUs, plus any feature completeness or supportability enhancements that may require localization. You can read more about the SQL Server Incremental Servicing Model (ISM) here .

Up to and including SQL Server 2016, RTM and any subsequent SPs establish a new product baseline. For each new baseline, CUs are provided for roughly 12 months after the next SP releases, or at the end of the mainstream phase of product lifecycle , whichever comes first.

For the entire product lifecycle , we release General Distribution Releases (GDRs) when needed, containing only security related fixes.

 

Please do note that the previous Announcing the Modern Servicing Model for SQL Server | Microsoft Docs article has been archived and that all future updates will be available on this page.

 

The Modern Servicing Model

Starting with SQL Server 2017, we are adopting a simplified, predictable mainstream servicing lifecycle:

    • SPs will no longer be made available. Only CUs, and GDRs when needed.
    • CUs will now accommodate localized content, allowing new feature completeness and supportability enhancements to be delivered faster.
    • CUs will be delivered more often at first and then less frequently. Every month for the first year after SQL Server GA release (barring any unforeseen circumstances), and every quarter two months for the remaining 4 years of the full 5-year mainstream lifecycle .

10/8/2018: Changes made to the above!

    • Starting with SQL Server 2017 CU13, CUs will be delivered bi-monthly (every two months) instead of quarterly. CU13 is scheduled for 12/18/2018.  We may reevaluate the need to move to a quarterly cadence at year 3 of mainstream support. For more details, please refer to Announcing Updates to the Modern Servicing Model for SQL Server .

Note : the Modern Servicing Model (MSM) only applies to SQL Server 2017 and future versions .

 

8/24/2022: Update for SQL Server on Linux/Containers releases only

We are moving forward with a Linux apt mainstream servicing lifecycle for SQL Server 2017 and later:

  1. For SQL Server 2017 and above we will only have Cumulative Update (CU) based General Distribution Releases (GDRs), thus simplifying it for users to download the required updates through one single branch which is the CU (Cumulative Update) branch.  Users need to subscribe and use only one single repository, that is the CU repository, to get all the critical fixes, product improvements or bug fixes.
  2. The RTM (Release to Manufacturing) based GDR repository that contained base SQL Server release, critical fixes and security updates since that release, will be removed. As they worked only for older Linux distributions (RHEL 7, Ubuntu 16.04 & SLES 12). 

The RTM based GDR packages that were released for Ubuntu 16.04, RHEL 7 & SLES 12, the repos listed below will have no new releases, but will continue to be available

The empty GDR repos for the latest distributions listed below will be deleted after 45 days. We recommend you not add or register these repositories in your environment.

 

Servicing lifecycle

The servicing lifecycle is unchanged from SQL Server 2016:

    • Years 0-5 (Mainstream Support): Security and Functional issue resolution though CUs. Security issues through GDRs.
    • Years 6-10 (Extended Support): Security or critical functional issues.
    • Years 11-13 (Extended Security Update): Optional paid extension to Extended Support (critical security issues). For more information on the ESU program, refer to https://aka.ms/sqlesu. 
    • Years 11-16 (Premium Assurance): Optional paid extension to Extended Support (no scope change). This option is RETIRED.

 

FAQ

Having questions is expected. Please read below in case we have already covered it in this FAQ.

Q1: SPs were fully localized, and you released one update file for every supported language. How will this be handled with no SPs?
A1: CUs will be localized starting with SQL 2017. CUs will handle this requirement maintaining a single update file.

Q2: When we upgraded from a previous version of SQL Server, we did so at SP1 using slipstream media provided by Microsoft. How will this work with no SPs?
A2: We will provide CU based slipstream media for CU12 allowing for this.

 

10/8/2018: Changes made to the above!

    • In place of slipstream CU media, we recommend utilizing slipstreaming capabilities that already exist in SQL Server setup that utilize the RTM media and the desired update media. This ‘manual slipstreaming’ is done through the use of the /UPDATESOURCE=< path to desired update media > setup command line argument for an Install or Upgrade operation.  For details on this, please see Install SQL Server from the Command Prompt .

Q3: My company always waited for SP1 to perform an upgrade from a previous version. What are my options now?
A3: Even before GA, the final SQL Server 2016 CTP versions were considered production-ready having gone through exhaustive testing both internally and with many preview customers. So there is no need to wait for an SP to install the latest SQL Server – you can install confidently as soon as a given version goes GA.
With that, you can still target any CU for Upgrade. For example, you could target CU12 for upgrade, and optionally utilize the manual slipstream for the upgrade.

Q4: I service an instance only with GDRs. I do not apply CUs, but apply SPs. Will I need to move to a CU servicing train if I need a non-critical/security fix?
A4: Yes. While this was previously true only leading up to SPs, now you must apply latest CU and there will not be an opportunity to reset back to receiving GDR updates only.

Q5: Assume that after Mainstream Support, you release a security fix. Are these going to be GDRs only? If so, how can I install it, if I'm already on a CU servicing train?
A5: During Extended Support, we will release GDRs and GDR-CUs separately. The same is valid for customers that sign-up for ESU.

Q6: Previously, once SP2 was released (for example), if I was on the RTM baseline I would have to upgrade to SP1 or SP2 to get a hotfix. How will this work now?

A6: The only baseline will be RTM, and it will receive CUs for 5 years. There are no upgrades required to an SP to receive CUs, or need to worry about which RTM/SP baseline a CU applies to. Additionally, while in mainstream support, it does not matter what CU an instance is at to request a hotfix.

Q7: If I am on RTM baseline, and CU20 (for example) was just released, will I receive technical support?
A7: This may be handled on a case by case basis. If the issue/question is in an area that has received a significant number of updates throughout the years, you may be asked to update to a later CU, yes.

Q8: Will SQL Server on Linux and Big Data Clusters (BDC) receive CUs and GDRs as well?
A8: Yes, every CU and GDR will have corresponding updates to all current SQL Server products on Linux platforms.

Q9: Will CU and GDR KB articles then cover both SQL Server on Windows and Linux?
A9: Yes. Issues addressed in each release will be categorized by impacted platform(s).

Q10: Will SQL Server for Linux CUs and GDRs be updates to an existing installation like SQL Server on Windows?
A10: No, SQL Server on Linux updates will completely replace all binaries in the existing installation.

Q11: On SQL Server on Linux, can I remove an update?
A11: Yes, however this operation is performed by re-installing any desired previous servicing level package.

Q12: Will the testing and resulting quality levels of CUs be the same as SPs?
A12: Yes. CUs for all versions of SQL Server are tested to the same levels of Service Packs. As announced in January 2016, you should plan to install a CU with the same level of confidence you plan to install SPs as they are released. You can read more about that here .

Q13: Monthly CU releases are fast, I do not believe my business can keep pace with this, yet you have been proactively encouraging customers to stay current.
A13: Yes, the cadence is fast for the first 12 months. However, payload will be roughly 50% in theory, so these should be easier to consume. Of course, you still have the option to install every other CU for example, for the first 12 months. As the name suggests, all CUs are cumulative.

Q14: Why release CUs every month only for the first year, then move to a slower release cadence for the remaining 4 years?
A14: Data shows that the vast majority, and severity, of all hotfixes issued for a major release occur in the first 12 months. The monthly cadence brings these fixes to customers much faster when it has the most impact. Reducing the cadence after 12 months reduces customer and operational overhead over the course of the remaining 4 years.

Q15: Will the availability of CUs remain unchanged?
A15: For SQL Server on Windows CUs, no changes are planned. The most recent CU will be available on the Download Center, Windows Catalog, and WSUS. Previous CUs will be available in the Windows Catalog.

Q16: Where will I look for SQL Server on Linux and Big Data Cluster (BDC) CUs and GDRs?
A16: All updates, current and previous, will be maintained and available in repositories.

Refer to the Release Notes for details on how to get Linux CU and GDR packages/containers. 

 

Q17: I see that Reporting Services (SSRS) is no longer installed by Setup. Where is it and how will it be serviced?
A17: RS is available for download via a link in Setup. Servicing will be independent moving forward. For more information, see Install SQL Server Reporting Services.


Q18: Will the Modern Servicing Model be adopted only for SQL Server 2017 (and later)?
A18: Yes, the Modern Servicing Model (MSM) only applies to SQL Server 2017 and future versions.

Q19: When are CUs available in the Microsoft Update Catalog?
A19:  CUs will be offered from Microsoft Update/WSUS and available in the Microsoft Windows Update Catalog within 7 business days following the release of the CU to Download Center.

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