News

Install Problems Put SQL Server 2014 SP1 on the Shelf

Microsoft will push out again within the next few weeks.

• By Kurt Mackie
• 04/20/2015

If you haven't installed SQL Server 2014 Service Pack 1, keep it that way. If you have installed the service pack, you may be regretting it.

Microsoft pulled it last week after install errors surfaced.

The service pack originally was released via the Microsoft Download Center on Wednesday, but Microsoft subsequently found an "installation issue" with it. Consequently, the service pack was removed the next day.

Microsoft plans to make SP1 for SQL Server 2014 available again sometime "in the next few weeks," according to an updated announcement.

When SP1 gets released again, IT pros should replace the current build (12.0.4050.0) with the new build. Organizations that have already installed SP1 can follow the workaround steps that Microsoft describes in its updated announcement as a remediation step until the new build arrives.

The install problem affects "any SQL Server instance with SSISDB catalog enabled," according to Microsoft. It makes SQL Server unusable and throws the following error message: "Error: 912, Severity: 21, State: 2."

The new service pack, when reissued, will set a new service baseline for SQL Server 2014. SP1 includes fixes from Cumulative Update 1 to Cumulative Update 5, as well as some SQL Server 2012 SP2 fixes, Microsoft indicated.

As for SP1's benefits, Microsoft highlighted an improvement in its column store performance. SP1 also will fix some buffer pool extension issues. Queries will compile faster via a "new cardinality estimator," among other perks.

Microsoft's original announcement on Wednesday had indicated that SQL Server 2014 SP1 would be released via "the Volume Licensing center and via Microsoft Update starting May 1, 2015." However, those plans possibly may be changed now due to the flawed initial release.