Just a quick placeholder on the progress of SQL Server 2005 service pack 3.

This update is important, if nothing else to ensure your on the latest patch which addresses some security vulnerabilities.

There is also a cumulative update for service pack 3, generally I don't go down the cumulative update path unless i've been advise by Microsoft (ie, it addresses a problem being experienced) or the SQL Community in general highly recommends a specific CU.

I always start with patching my local developer edition, x86 Instance.

Slowly working through a few boxes, so far we've patched the following with no issues:

• 64 Bit named instances running under Polyserve 3.6.1 - both dev, qa and production, no issues, Enterprise Edition.
• 64 Bit named instance stand-alone server, Enterprise Edition.
• 64 Bit named instance stand-alone server, Standard Edition.
• 64 Bit Clustered SQL Server, Active / Active Configuration, no issues, did require reboot of both nodes and fail over, Enterprise Edition.
• 32 Bit SSIS stand alone installations (no dbms) no issues.
• 32 Bit Reporting Services Web Farm, authentication issues afterwards.

I had an issue with the Reporting Services Web Farm, which uses SQL Authentication for connectivity, caused the login to be disabled.  I had quite a difficult time getting it re-enabled and changing the password, but no errors in applying the service pack.