SP2010: Patch procedure

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In my time as PFE I saw a lot of confusion in regard on how to patch SharePoint 2010 servers, especially in the light of SP1.

Here is the procedure I always use when patching, and so far it worked perfectly:

  1. Disable NLB to stop
    traffic to the farm

  2. Detach all Content
    Databases to speed up update process

  3. Install the Service Pack
    files in the following order:

    1. SharePoint Foundation
      SP1 on all servers
    2. SharePoint Foundation
      Language Pack SP1 on all servers
    3. SharePoint Server SP1 on
      all servers
    4. SharePoint Server
      Language Pack SP1 on all servers
    5. Install OWA SP1 on all servers
    6. Reboot all servers
    7. Run Config Wizard on server hosting Central Administration
    8. Run Config
      Wizard on all other servers

  4. Install the Cumulative
    Update Pack in the following order:

    1. Install SharePoint
      Foundation June 11 cumulative update on all servers
    2. Install SharePoint
      Server June 11 cumulative update on all servers
    3. Reboot all servers
    4. Run Config
      Wizard on server hosting Central Administration
    5. Run Config
      Wizard on all other servers
    6. Reboot all servers
    7. Install any other CU after June 11 as per steps 1-6

  6. Reattach Content
    Databases (small ones simultaneously – up to 4 at once, large ones
    individually)

Hope that helps :-)