Week 6: Chapter 6 Agenda Automation of SQL Server tasks using: SQL Server Agent Scheduling Scripting Technologies

Benefits of Automation 1.Saves time 2.Reduces chance of human error (forgetting, running wrong task, …) 3.Allows easy execution of tasks in non- peak times or at scheduled times

SQL Server Agent  SQL Server’s primary tool for automation and scheduling  A service in the control panel of the SQL Server2000 machine  Configured with Enterprise Manager in Management object  Can automate many tasks using SQL statements Operating System Commands Programming

Configuring SQL Server Agent SQL Server Agent must be running at all times. To do this: Using Service Manager, configure SQL Server Agent to auto start Using Enterprise Manager, configure SQL Server and SQL Server Agent service to restart automatically if these services stops unexpectedly

Configuring SQL Server Agent (ctd)  SQL Server Agent logon Account must be mapped to sysadmin role Map this account to administrators local group Use a windows domain user account logon account  Use windows authentication mode for SQL Server Agent to permit greater flexibility

SQL Server Agent Objects SQL Server agent works with following objects: Jobs – series of tasks Operators – names and contact info Alerts – response to conditions (normally for errors)

Jobs A job is a set of instructions, schedules and notifications Each individual operation is called a step Step types include Transact-SQL commands, O/S commands, Scripts (ActiveX) Scripts can use VBScript, JavaScript, etc Jobs can use conditional logic Notification methods include , pager and Windows NET SEND

Create a Job Ensure that job is enabled (jobs are enabled by default) Specify the owner who is responsible for performing the job (by default the owner is the logon account creating the job) Define whether the job is to execute on a local server or on multiple remote servers Job categories help to organize, filter and manage many jobs

Define job step using T-SQL Identify database to be used Include required variable and parameters Can send a result set of a job step to an output file (output files are often used in troubleshooting to capture an error message that may have occurred while the statement is executing)

Define a job step using OS commands Operating System commands are identified by.exe,.bat,.cmd,.com files extension Identify a process exit code to indicate that process was successful Include the full path to the executable application in the command text box.

Defining Job Steps Can use ActiveX Script with languages such as Microsoft VBScript, Microsoft Jscript etc. Must identify scripting language in which the job step is written Write or Open Active Script (use the SQL ActiveScriptHost object to print output to the job step history or create object)

Job Flow Logic Example JOB 1: Data Transfer Job Step 1: Back Up Database Type: Transact-SQL: Retry attempts: 1 Job Step2: Transfer Data Type: CmdExec; Retry attempts : 2 Job Step3: Custom Application Type: Active Scripting: Retry attempts: 0 Write to Windows Application Log Notify Operator FAIL? Y Y N N Y Notify Operator N

Job Scheduling  After job has been defined you can schedule the job to be executed automatically  A schedule must be enabled to permit automated execution  Can use Enterprise Manager (GUI) or execute sp_add_jobschedule stored procedure to define job schedule  Job schedules are stored in the msdb.sysjobschedules system tables

Job Scheduling (ctd)  Can schedule jobs to start automatically: When SQL Server Agent started At a specific time (one time only) On a recurring basis (daily, weekly, or monthly) When CPU is idle

Notification  Operators are notified of events that take place on SQL Server  Operators don’t require a SQL Server login  Notifications are messages sent to the operators  Notification methods can be: pager Windows NET SEND command  Operators should be available for contact as required

Operators Use group alias to notify more than one individual to respond to notification Test each notification method to ensure that the operator is able to receive messages Should specify a work schedule for each operator to be notified by pager Use NET SEND command to send messages to network operators and servers running Windows 2000 or Windows NT.

Operator Notification Ensure operator is available to receive notifications Ensure messenger service is running on computer of the operator to be notified by NET SEND command Review most recent notification steps to determine date and time of last notification Test individual notification methods outside of SQL Server by verifying that you can send e- mail messages, page an operator or successfully execute a NET SEND command.

Job History  Job history can be viewed from Enterprise Manager and directly in the msdb..sysjobhistory system table  Sysjobhistory table records: Date and time each job step occurred Success or failure of job step The operator notified and notification method The duration of job step Errors or messages from job step

Job History Size By default, msdb database file properties are set to auto growth, and the Truncate log on checkpoint database option is turned on. By default, maximum job history size is set at 1,000 rows By default, maximum job history size for each job is set at 100 rows Rows are removed from sysjobhistory system table in a first-in, first-out (FIFO) manner when size limit is reached

Execution Permissions  For T-SQL Jobs: context of job owner or a specific user  Operating System and ActiveX Script jobs: Members of Sysadmin role use the SQL Server Agent login account Job owners that are not members of the sysadmin role use defined domain user account called a proxy account