sql serversql-server-2012
MS SQL 2012 R2 SP3 is out of support. We were having issues with DB Cluster which is 2012 R2 SP3 and Microsoft said it’s not supported version. We need to go for SP4 to have support.
I suppose it’s not just MS SQL version, Service Pack is also associated.
Can you correct me here?
Make sure you include the /IAcceptSQLServerLicenseTerms switch, otherwise your installation will fail. I have commonly done silent installs of service packs to using the following syntax:
.\<SQLServicePack>.exe /q /action=patch /instancename="FOOBAR" /IAcceptSQLServerLicenseTerms
Full syntax documented here.
Windows Update isn't offering you a Service Pack for SQL Server 2012 to apply to your SQL Server 2014 instance; there is something else on your machine that is triggering it. Could be dozens of things, but most commonly:
Here is what I suggest.
Go download the SQL Server 2012 SP3 standalone installer:
When you run the installer, very early in setup, you'll get to a screen like this, which will tell you all of the components that are eligible for upgrade:
This will give you an indication of what components you need to either patch or remove.
I do not think you should ignore this. If you have other instances on this machine and don't want them there, clean them up! If you do need them, but leave them unpatched, it could be a security vulnerability waiting to happen. There is just no upside at all to ignoring the prompt to apply the service pack - you're getting it for a reason.
As for the assertion error you're getting, that has nothing to do with the SQL Server 2012 Service Pack you're being offered, either. It could be an indication that you are on RTM still and are missing a fix for that problem (in which case, go get the latest SP + CU, or that you've come across a bug that hasn't yet been fixed (in which case contact SQL Server support). Note that a fix may cover your issue even if your exact error message isn't listed explicitly in the knowledge base article.
Best Answer
Yes. You can read the lifecycle policy on service packs here.
As a side note, if the product is out of support then the service pack is also out of support, regardless of this policy.
For your case, the SQL Server 2012 SP3 lifecycle policy can be found here.
The SQL Server 2012 SP3 support end date was on 10/09/2018
Note that starting from SQL Server 2017, the servicing model was changed to only CU's and GDR's when needed.