"Installed Versions" tab needs to be aware of GDR updates
Only Service Packs and Cumulative Updates are currently included in the version list maintained by Redgate, which drives the "Installed Versions" tab. GDR updates are not included.
In my estate, this has resulted in SQL Server 2012 SP4 installations showing as being fully up to date, when there is a GDR update from January available, to address Meltdown/Spectre.
Microsoft's official line on GDR updates for SQL Server is:
"A GDR addresses an issue that has a broad customer impact, that has security implications, or that has both. A GDR is determined and issued by Microsoft as appropriate and when appropriate. GDRs are kept to a minimum."
They're also abandoning Service Packs for SQL Server from 2017 onwards and releasing only CU and GDR:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4041553
I believe it is therefore important for SQL Monitor customers to be made aware of the availability of GDR releases via the "Installed Versions" feature.
Daniel Alexander
shared this idea
GDR updates are listed on the 'Installed Versions' estate page.
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SQLRich
commented
Daniel, Agreed! When reviewing Estate view - Installed versions, there should be a method for establishing a User Defined Baseline for the Status|Product Level | Version Number that would allow it to be green. We intentionally move from GDR release to GDR release, ignoring CU's, but applying all Security Releases. We are specifically baselined on SQL 2014 12.0.6108.1 and SQL 2017 14.0.3192.2, both with the July 2019 Security Update. I'm looking for a method to switch the view for 'latest available update' from 'all' to 'Latest GDR only'. Microsoft currently supports all 3 methodologies: Service Pack, Latest GDR, and CU. Caution-https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/install-windows/latest-updates-for-microsoft-sql-server?view=sql-server-ver15