Service
Pack
A tested, cumulative set of all hotfixes, security
updates, critical updates, and updates. Additionally, service packs may contain
additional fixes for problems that are found internally since the release of
the product. Service packs my also contain a limited number of
customer-requested design changes or features.
What is included: new fixes, new functionality, all
previously released fixes (older Service Packs, CUs, PUs)
Cumulative
Update (CU)
A Cumulative Update includes fixes for problems with our
product that have been reported by customer in context of support cases.
What is included: new and all previously released fixes
(CUs and PUs) since the oldest supported service pack (within the first 12
month after a Service Pack has been released the CU includes also fixes
released after the previous service pack)
Public
Update (PU)
A Public Update usually includes security fixes for the
product or fixes for problems which affect a broad number of customers.
What is included: Review the KB article for each public
update in detail to see which fixes are included.
Security
Update
A widely released fix for a product-specific,
security-related vulnerability. Security vulnerabilities are rated by their
severity. The severity rating is indicated in the Microsoft security bulletin
as critical, important, moderate, or low.