What is it?
The Service Manager team released Update Rollup 3 for System Center 2012 R2 Service Manager at the end of July 2014.
This update is a continuation of fixes for a backlog of issues for SCSM 2012 R2. The update includes all the fixes in Update Rollup 2. You can apply UR3 to get the combined fixes of UR2 and UR3.
Issues fixed in SCSM 2012 R2 UR2 – 15 fixes. Unfortunately this rollup had one issue. In some cases the Configuration Manager connector stopped working. The best fix included in this update is the old maximize console bug that has terrorised many SM admins and analysts.
Issues fixed in SCSM 2012 R2 UR3 – 8 fixes plus a fix for the UR2 issue. In summary this update contains 23 valuable and critical bug fixes.
Why you must plan to apply this update
UR3 simply put will make your console fly and improve your SCSM environment. Note a poorly deployed and configured and under resourced environment will not be fixed by applying the update.
When should you apply the update?
You must follow recommended change and risk management processes. Plan to test the update in a development or pre-production environment. You must aim to have an environment that sufficiently reflects the current production environment. If you do not have a test environment, plan to review this article Setting Up a Service Manager 2012 Lab Environment with Production Data
How to apply the update:
The instructions on how to install UR3 are very light on detail. The install is simple enough but what you do before the install is missing. Here is a summary of the missing instructions from field experience
Order of upgrade and tasks
- DW Management Server:
Perform these tasks:
- Disable all connectors
- Disconnect consoles
- Backup Encryption keys
- Stop DW Jobs and schedules http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh519643.aspx
- Backup Databases including SSRS DB & RDL files
- Upgrade DW
- Enable and restart DW jobs
2. CMDB (Workflow Server) Management Server and Secondary Management Servers
Perform these tasks:
- Ensure all connectors are disabled
- Ensure no console connections
- Stop IIS on SSP
- Backup Encryption keys
- Backup all unsealed MPs and custom solutions
- Backup Databases
- Upgrade CMDB Management Server
- Upgrade Secondary Management Servers
3. Upgrade Self-Service Portal
Perform these tasks:
- Backup and document web parts customization
- Document additional security delegation
- Perform the upgrade
4. Upgrade all consoles
