What is newer XI R3.1 SP2 or Fix Pack 8?

general discussion
1

Does any one know were can I get the info on this.? SAP site shows date of release for SP2 is later then Fix Pack 8? However I would like to read what in them before choosing the right one to install? Can any one point me to the correct location and let me know what is the latest release SP2 or fix Pack 8?

icotler :us: (BOB member since 2002-08-19)

2

Hi Igor
not a simple answer.
SP2 came after fix pack (1.)8 but it only includes fixpacks upto (1.)5. It’s worth installing SP2 and then waiting for the fixpacks to catch up. SP2 has a couple of extra features that are worth having

Xavier :ireland: (BOB member since 2006-12-18)

3

Thanks Xavier,
Do you have a link to what’s new documentation for SP2 and 8? Sap BO site is very confusing I can not find any relevant information only installation/upgrade guides.

icotler :us: (BOB member since 2002-08-19)

4

Hi Igor
I’m not a fan of the SAP site either. I’ve yet to find anything that I tried finding :hb:
I get most of my info from this forum!

have a look here, it gives some good info on SP2 from one of the veterens of this forum

Xavier :ireland: (BOB member since 2006-12-18)

5

After researching this topic that’s what I found so far.

  1. SP2 has more features but bug fixes only up to fix pack 1.5
  2. Fix Pack 1.8 has more bugs fixed but does not has features of SP2.
  3. New fix pack 2.1 is coming very shortly with all the bug fixes up to 1.8 +.
  4. What the f@#$% BO is doing to us? :reallymad:

icotler :us: (BOB member since 2002-08-19)

6

According to the SP2 installation documentation you can install later fix pack after you install SP2.
From SP2 installation guide
“You can upgrade to the current service pack directly from any
BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 3.1 fix pack or service pack level (for example
from 3.1 Fix Pack X to 3.1 SP2), but if your current fix pack was released
after the availability of this service pack, some of the upgrades you currently
enjoy may not have been incorporated. Therefore, we recommend that after
upgrading you also immediately apply the latest available Fix Pack.” :crazy_face:

Did any one out there tried to install 1.8 on top of SP2?

icotler :us: (BOB member since 2002-08-19)

7

You are misreading this.

Once you go to SP2, you should not install any fixpacks in the 1.x series.

When fixpack 2.1 comes out, install it.

Also, if you install SP2 and have more than 1 machine in your cluster you will likely encounter some problems with the scheduler. BO knows about the problem, but has yet to provide a fix.

Steve Krandel :us: (BOB member since 2002-06-25)

8

Ouch! Thanks Steve, I was going to upgrade our clustered servers to SP2 this weekend. I’ll wait now for the next thrilling installment now instead

Xavier :ireland: (BOB member since 2006-12-18)

9

I was just told yesterday by support that installing SP2 over a Fix Pack higher than 1.5 corrupts the installation. :hb: :reallymad: Anyone else getting conflicting information on Fix Packs?

I was told Fix Pack 2.1 covers Fix Pack 1.6, Fix Pack 2.2 covers Fix Pack 1.7, and Fix Pack 2.3 covers Fix Pack 1.8. Also, Fix Pack 2.3 doesn’t have a scheduled delivery date but they anticipate December 2009.

Contacting my Sales Rep… :crazy_face:

mnkmarr :us: (BOB member since 2003-10-22)

10

I know you were given bad info. 2.1 just came out last week. 2.2 is in mid December. 2.1 is supposed to cover up to 1.8 and then some fixes to the broken stuff in SP2.

Steve Krandel :us: (BOB member since 2002-06-25)

11

Here’s the twist. Fix Pack 2.1 does cover up through Fix Pack 1.8, however, it’s not recommended to do an in place install of SP2 over a Fix Pack higher than 1.5. So, if you’re on Fix Pack 1.8 you should make a back up of the CMS and FRS, do a clean install of SP2 and then point to the CMS and copy over the FRS, then install Fix Pack 2.1. So XI 3.1 SP2 is the new base installation like XIr2 was the base for XI.

mnkmarr :us: (BOB member since 2003-10-22)

12

Does FP 2.1 address/resolve the Scheduling problem that SP2 created? (in a clustered env)

Captspeed :us: (BOB member since 2006-10-03)

13

Nope. We got another fix for that one. Officially, it won;'t be fixed until 2.2 in December.

Steve Krandel :us: (BOB member since 2002-06-25)

14

I’ve been told categorically by support that SP2 contains all FPs for 3.1.

Damocles :uk: (BOB member since 2006-10-05)

15

That is correct. However, SP2 also introduced some issues that are not yet resolved.

Steve Krandel :us: (BOB member since 2002-06-25)

16

In that everything in FPs 1.6, 1.7 and 1.8 no longer work? This is a rather odd piece of sophistry, yes?

Damocles :uk: (BOB member since 2006-10-05)

17

FixPack 2.2 was released on 30NOV2009. It will include Fix Pack 2.1 and 2.2 include fix pack 1.6, 1.7 and 1.8.

Fix pack 1.9 would be included in FP 2.3.

surgeon648 :us: (BOB member since 2009-07-31)