Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of SC2002Admin
SC2002Admin

asked on

Windows 2003 Server SP1 Deployment consideration

Hi

I am running Win 2003 server implementing Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, File Server. I also use group policy for log-on script purposes.

I don't have the luxury of a test bed to deploy SP1 so I would like to ask if there are any concern in deploying SP1 with my current set-up in the following aspect:

- The services implemented on the server
- Hardwares

The concern I am worrying about is that after the SP1 is deployed, will there be any significant changes to the end-users?

thanks
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of NJComputerNetworks
NJComputerNetworks
Flag of United States of America image

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Avatar of Klint_turney
Klint_turney

No there is no concerns that I have ever ran into.  I have pushed it out on over 83 servers (out of the 137 I am a sys admin oveR) and have not ran into any issues.

Thanks
Klint
A+, Network+, Security+, MCP, MCSA, MCSE 2003
Avatar of oBdA
There should be no impact on Windows services.
There might be impact on any third-party services, though. Check any vital services (backup, for example) you're running whether the version you're running is actually SP1 compatible.
The next thing to check is indeed the hardware compatibility. Not every driver and every BIOS/firmware is compatible with SP1; I've seen especially clusters messed up by SP1, because the HBA drivers weren't SP1 compatible. Check the vendor's support site which components and drivers (and *in* *which* *order*!) need to be updated for SP1 compatibility.
Server Application Compatibility matrix with Windows 2003 SP1:  http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;896367
Dell specific information regarding SP1 deployment:  http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&dn=1092292

Guide to SP1 deployment on PowerEdge Server:  http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/power/ps2q05-20050113-Callaway.pdf  (Note:  if you are using Dell Adminstrator 4.4 or earilier, you need to upgrade dell administrator to a later version before deploying SP1)