cumulative update vs gdr

Question

I am unable to install sql server 2016 Cu15 on a latest GDR.
does GDR include latest cumulative update
does the application of the most recent service pack and cumulative update suffice or do we need to apply gdr on top?

Answer 1

Hi @NeophyteSQL ,

GDR (General Distribution Release) will not include previous all CU's (Cumulative Update) but CU's will include all previous fixes.

For more information, see:

A changed approach to Service Packs
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/sqlreleaseservices/a-changed-approach-to-service-packs¨

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Best regards,
Leon

Answer 2

If you have SQL 2016 SP2 GDR, you have taken the GDR train and cannot apply any CU, only new GDRs. If you want to get on the CU train, you need to uninstall the GDR(s) to come back to the SP2 station to change trains.

Answer 3

Please see:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb3177312-sql-server-2016-build-versions-d6cd8e5f-4aa3-20ac-f38f-8faef950840f

If your version is 13.0.5865.1, you already have the latest version installed.

Answer 4

Hi @NeophyteSQL ,

>does GDR include latest cumulative update

No.

For your current situation, I suggest you uninstall this latest Security update(KB4583460) first , and install the CU 15 for SQL Server 2016 SP2, finally install the Security update for SQL Server 2016 SP2 CU15(KB4583461).

Please take a look at this thread in the same situation as yours.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/240590/can39t-upgrade-sql-server-2016-to-latest-cu-update.html