AlwaysON – Script to sync SQL Server Agent Jobs from Primary Replica to Secondary Replica in an Always On Availability Group

Environment

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-> Create a Job called “SQL Server Agent Job Synchronization” on all the Database Servers as part of your Alwayson Availability group. In my Environment, the Job will be created on Database Server JBSERVER1, JBSERVER2 and JBSERVER3. The Job “SQL Server Agent Job Synchronization” will have the below script executed as part of it.

-- Script to sync SQL Server Agent Jobs from Primary Replica to Secondary Replica in an Always On Availability Group
-- Dont forgot to change the listener name below
SET NOCOUNT ON;

DECLARE @primary_replica NVARCHAR(128),
        @local_replica NVARCHAR(128),
        @job_name NVARCHAR(128),
        @job_id UNIQUEIDENTIFIER,
        @tsql NVARCHAR(MAX),
        @sql NVARCHAR(MAX);

				

-- Get the primary replica name
SELECT @Primary_Replica = primary_replica
FROM sys.dm_hadr_availability_group_states a INNER JOIN sys.availability_group_listeners b
ON a.group_id=b.group_id where b.dns_name='DISL' ---Change the LISTENER NAME here

-- Get the current replica name (where this script is running)
SELECT @local_replica = @@SERVERNAME;

-- If this server is the primary replica, no need to sync jobs
IF @local_replica = @primary_replica
BEGIN
    PRINT 'This server is the primary replica. No job sync required.';
    RETURN;
END


-- Create a table to store jobs from the primary replica
IF OBJECT_ID('tempdb..#primary_jobs') IS NOT NULL
    DROP TABLE #primary_jobs;

CREATE TABLE #primary_jobs (
    job_id UNIQUEIDENTIFIER,
    job_name NVARCHAR(128)
);

-- Insert jobs from primary replica into the temp table
SET @sql = 'INSERT INTO #primary_jobs (job_id, job_name)
            SELECT job_id, name FROM [' + @primary_replica + '].msdb.dbo.sysjobs';

EXEC sp_executesql @sql;

-- Loop through jobs on primary replica and compare with local (secondary) replica
DECLARE job_cursor CURSOR FOR
SELECT job_id, job_name
FROM #primary_jobs;

OPEN job_cursor;
FETCH NEXT FROM job_cursor INTO @job_id, @job_name;

WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
    -- Check if the job exists on the local (secondary) replica
    IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM msdb.dbo.sysjobs WHERE name = @job_name)
    BEGIN
        PRINT 'Job missing on secondary replica: ' + @job_name;

        -- Script job creation from the primary replica
        DECLARE @job_creation_script NVARCHAR(MAX) = '';
        DECLARE @step_creation_script NVARCHAR(MAX) = '';
        DECLARE @schedule_creation_script NVARCHAR(MAX) = '';

        -- Step 1: Script the job creation
        SET @job_creation_script = 'EXEC msdb.dbo.sp_add_job @job_name = ''' + @job_name + ''', @enabled = 1, @description = ''' + @job_name + ''';';
        
        -- Step 2: Script the job steps from the primary replica
        DECLARE @step_id INT,
                @step_name NVARCHAR(128),
                @subsystem NVARCHAR(128),
                @command NVARCHAR(MAX),
                @on_success_action INT,
                @on_fail_action INT;
				

						set @sql=N''
				set @sql =         'SELECT step_id, step_name, subsystem, command, on_success_action, on_fail_action  INTO ##Primary_Job_jbs_wiki_details
        FROM [' + @primary_replica + '].msdb.dbo.sysjobsteps 
        WHERE job_id = '''+convert(nvarchar(max),@job_id)+''';'
		EXECUTE master.sys.sp_executesql @sql;

        DECLARE step_cursor CURSOR FOR 
        SELECT step_id, step_name, subsystem, command, on_success_action, on_fail_action 
        FROM ##Primary_Job_jbs_wiki_details;

        OPEN step_cursor;
        FETCH NEXT FROM step_cursor INTO @step_id, @step_name, @subsystem, @command, @on_success_action, @on_fail_action;

        WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0
        BEGIN
		
            SET @step_creation_script = @step_creation_script + 'EXEC msdb.dbo.sp_add_jobstep 
                    @job_name = ''' + @job_name + ''', 
                    @step_name = ''' + @step_name + ''', 
                    @subsystem = ''' + @subsystem + ''', 
                    @command = ''' + REPLACE(@command, '''', '''''') + ''', 
                    @on_success_action = ' + CAST(@on_success_action AS NVARCHAR(10)) + ',
                    @on_fail_action = ' + CAST(@on_fail_action AS NVARCHAR(10)) + ';';
                    
            FETCH NEXT FROM step_cursor INTO @step_id, @step_name, @subsystem, @command, @on_success_action, @on_fail_action;
        END
		drop table ##Primary_Job_jbs_wiki_details
        CLOSE step_cursor;
        DEALLOCATE step_cursor;

        -- Step 3: Script the job schedule from the primary replica
        DECLARE @schedule_name NVARCHAR(128),
                @enabled INT,
                @freq_type INT,
                @freq_interval INT,
                @freq_subday_type INT,
                @freq_subday_interval INT,
                @freq_relative_interval INT,
                @freq_recurrence_factor INT,
                @active_start_date INT,
                @active_start_time INT;

				set @sql = N''
		set @sql = 'SELECT s.name, s.enabled, s.freq_type, s.freq_interval, s.freq_subday_type, s.freq_subday_interval, 
               s.freq_relative_interval, s.freq_recurrence_factor, s.active_start_date, s.active_start_time INTO ##Primary_Job_jbs_wiki_details1
        FROM [' + @primary_replica + '].msdb.dbo.sysschedules AS s
        INNER JOIN [' + @primary_replica + '].msdb.dbo.sysjobschedules AS js ON s.schedule_id = js.schedule_id
        WHERE js.job_id = '''+convert(nvarchar(max),@job_id)+''';'
		EXECUTE master.sys.sp_executesql @sql;

        DECLARE schedule_cursor CURSOR DYNAMIC FOR 
        SELECT s.name, s.enabled, s.freq_type, s.freq_interval, s.freq_subday_type, s.freq_subday_interval, 
               s.freq_relative_interval, s.freq_recurrence_factor, s.active_start_date, s.active_start_time 
        FROM ##Primary_Job_jbs_wiki_details1 s;

        OPEN schedule_cursor;
        FETCH NEXT FROM schedule_cursor INTO @schedule_name, @enabled, @freq_type, @freq_interval, @freq_subday_type, 
                                              @freq_subday_interval, @freq_relative_interval, @freq_recurrence_factor, 
                                              @active_start_date, @active_start_time;

        WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0
        BEGIN
			SET @schedule_creation_script = @schedule_creation_script + 'EXEC msdb.dbo.sp_add_jobschedule 
                    @job_name = ''' + @job_name + ''', 
                    @name = ''' + @schedule_name + ''', 
                    @enabled = ' + CAST(@enabled AS NVARCHAR(10)) + ', 
                    @freq_type = ' + CAST(@freq_type AS NVARCHAR(10)) + ', 
                    @freq_interval = ' + CAST(@freq_interval AS NVARCHAR(10)) + ', 
                    @freq_subday_type = ' + CAST(@freq_subday_type AS NVARCHAR(10)) + ', 
                    @freq_subday_interval = ' + CAST(@freq_subday_interval AS NVARCHAR(10)) + ', 
                    @freq_relative_interval = ' + CAST(@freq_relative_interval AS NVARCHAR(10)) + ', 
                    @freq_recurrence_factor = ' + CAST(@freq_recurrence_factor AS NVARCHAR(10)) + ', 
                    @active_start_date = ' + CAST(@active_start_date AS NVARCHAR(10)) + ', 
                    @active_start_time = ' + CAST(@active_start_time AS NVARCHAR(10)) + ';';

            FETCH NEXT FROM schedule_cursor INTO @schedule_name, @enabled, @freq_type, @freq_interval, @freq_subday_type, 
                                                  @freq_subday_interval, @freq_relative_interval, @freq_recurrence_factor, 
                                                  @active_start_date, @active_start_time;
        END
		DROP TABLE ##Primary_Job_jbs_wiki_details1
        CLOSE schedule_cursor;
        DEALLOCATE schedule_cursor;

        -- Combine all scripts and execute to create the job on the secondary replica
        SET @tsql = @job_creation_script + @step_creation_script + @schedule_creation_script;

        EXEC sp_executesql @tsql;
        
        PRINT 'Job created on secondary replica: ' + @job_name;
    END

    FETCH NEXT FROM job_cursor INTO @job_id, @job_name;
END

CLOSE job_cursor;
DEALLOCATE job_cursor;

-- Cleanup
DROP TABLE #primary_jobs;


PRINT 'Job sync completed.';

-> Create a Linked Server to query the primary Replica. In my Environment, Linked servers JBSERVER2 and JBSERVER3 will be created on JBSERVER1. Linked servers JBSERVER1 and JBSERVER3 will be created on JBSERVER2. Linked servers JBSERVER1 and JBSERVER2 will be created on JBSERVER3.

-> The job will gracefully exit with a message “Script cannot run on primary Replica” if the job executes on Primary Replica. If the Job executes on the Secondary replica, It queries the list of SQL Server Agent Jobs on the primary replica and will create the jobs that are missing on the Secondary Replicas.

-> This solution just adds the missing jobs on the Secondary Replicas, but will not Drop Jobs on the Secondary Replica that are not present on the Primary.

Thank You,
Vivek Janakiraman

Disclaimer:
The views expressed on this blog are mine alone and do not reflect the views of my company or anyone else. All postings on this blog are provided “AS IS” with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Creating JobSchedule Failed on Azure SQL Managed Instance

Introduction

Azure SQL Managed Instance (MI) is a powerful cloud-based database service that provides near-complete compatibility with SQL Server, along with the benefits of a managed platform. However, while working with SQL Managed Instances, you may occasionally encounter errors due to differences between on-premises SQL Server and Azure SQL environments.

In this blog post, we’ll explore a specific error encountered when attempting to create a JobSchedule in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) on an Azure SQL Managed Instance. We’ll break down the error, identify the root cause, and guide you through the steps to resolve it. Additionally, we’ll discuss important lessons learned to prevent similar issues in the future.

Issue

When trying to create a new JobSchedule named ‘DBA – Database Copy Only backup’ in SSMS on an Azure SQL Managed Instance, the following error message was encountered:

TITLE: Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio

Create failed for JobSchedule ‘DBA – Database Copy Only backup’. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Smo)

For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&ProdVer=14.0.17289.0+((SSMS_Rel_17_4).181117-0805)&EvtSrc=Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.ExceptionTemplates.FailedOperationExceptionText&EvtID=Create+JobSchedule&LinkId=20476


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

An exception occurred while executing a Transact-SQL statement or batch. (Microsoft.SqlServer.ConnectionInfo)


SQL Server Agent feature Schedule job ONIDLE is not supported in SQL Database Managed Instance. Review the documentation for supported options. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 41914)

For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft%20SQL%20Server&ProdVer=12.00.2000&EvtSrc=MSSQLServer&EvtID=41914&LinkId=20476


BUTTONS:
OK

Understanding the Error:

The error message indicates that the JobSchedule creation failed because the ONIDLE scheduling feature is not supported in Azure SQL Managed Instances.

Key points from the error message:

  • The failure occurred during the execution of a Transact-SQL statement.
  • The ONIDLE feature, which may be supported in on-premises SQL Server instances, is not available in Azure SQL Managed Instances.
  • The version of SSMS used might not be fully compatible with Azure SQL Managed Instance features.

Possible Causes:

  1. Outdated SSMS Version: Using an older version of SSMS that lacks the necessary updates for working with Azure SQL Managed Instances.
  2. Unsupported Feature Usage: Attempting to use a scheduling feature (ONIDLE) that isn’t supported in the Azure SQL environment.
  3. Compatibility Issues: Mismatch between the SSMS client version and the Azure SQL Managed Instance, leading to unsupported operations.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, the primary solution is to update SSMS to the latest version. This ensures compatibility with Azure SQL Managed Instance and the supported feature set.

Step-by-Step Guide to Resolve the Issue:

Step 1: Verify Current SSMS Version

Before updating, check the current version of SSMS installed.

How to Check:

  1. Open SSMS.
  2. Click on “Help” in the top menu.
  3. Select “About”.
  4. Note the version number displayed.

Step 2: Download the Latest SSMS Version

Download the latest version of SSMS from the official Microsoft link.

Download Link: Download SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

Instructions:

  1. Click on the above link or paste it into your web browser.
  2. The download should start automatically. If not, click on the provided download button on the page.
  3. Save the installer (SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe) to a convenient location on your computer.

Step 3: Install the Latest SSMS Version

Proceed with installing the downloaded SSMS setup file.

Installation Steps:

  1. Close any running instances of SSMS.
  2. Locate the downloaded installer and double-click to run it.
  3. Follow the on-screen prompts:
    • Accept the license agreement.
    • Choose the installation directory (default is recommended).
    • Click “Install” to begin the installation process.
  4. Wait for the installation to complete. This may take several minutes.
  5. Once installed, click “Close” to exit the installer.

Note: The latest SSMS version as of now supports all recent features and ensures better compatibility with Azure SQL Managed Instances.

Step 4: Reattempt Creating the JobSchedule

After updating SSMS, retry creating the JobSchedule.

Steps:

  1. Open the newly installed SSMS.
  2. Connect to your Azure SQL Managed Instance.
  3. Navigate to SQL Server Agent > Jobs.
  4. Right-click on Jobs and select “New Job…”.
  5. Configure the job properties as required.
  6. Navigate to the Schedules page and create a new schedule without using unsupported features like ONIDLE.
  7. Click “OK” to save and create the JobSchedule.

Expected Outcome: The JobSchedule should now be created successfully without encountering the previous error.

Step 5: Validate the JobSchedule

Ensure that the JobSchedule is functioning as intended.

Validation Steps:

  1. Verify that the job appears under the Jobs section in SSMS.
  2. Check the job’s history after execution to confirm it runs without errors.
  3. Monitor the job over a period to ensure consistent performance.

Additional Considerations:

  • If the error persists, review the job’s configuration to ensure no unsupported features are being used.
  • Consult the official Microsoft documentation for any environment-specific limitations or additional updates required.

Points Learned

  1. Importance of Keeping Software Updated:
    • Regularly updating tools like SSMS ensures compatibility with the latest features and prevents unexpected errors.
    • Updates often include bug fixes, performance improvements, and support for new functionalities.
  2. Understanding Environment Compatibility:
    • Azure SQL Managed Instance differs from on-premises SQL Server in terms of supported features. Always verify feature support based on the specific environment to prevent configuration issues.
  3. Effective Error Analysis:
    • Carefully reading and understanding error messages can quickly point to the root cause and appropriate solutions.
    • Utilizing provided help links and official documentation aids in resolving issues efficiently.
  4. Proactive Maintenance Practices:
    • Regularly auditing and updating database management tools is a best practice to maintain smooth operations.
    • Implementing monitoring and validation steps post-configuration changes ensures system reliability.
  5. Utilizing Official Resources:
    • Relying on official download links and documentation ensures the authenticity and security of the tools being used.
    • Community forums and support channels can provide additional assistance when facing uncommon issues.

Conclusion

Encountering errors in Azure SQL Managed Instances can be challenging, but with a systematic approach to diagnosing and resolving issues, such obstacles can be efficiently overcome. In this case, updating SSMS to the latest version resolved the compatibility issue causing the JobSchedule creation error. This experience underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and understanding the specific features supported by different SQL Server environments, especially when working with cloud-based services like Azure SQL Managed Instance.

By adhering to best practices in software maintenance and error resolution, database administrators and developers can ensure robust and uninterrupted database operations, thereby supporting the critical applications and services that rely on them.

Thank You,
Vivek Janakiraman

Disclaimer:
The views expressed on this blog are mine alone and do not reflect the views of my company or anyone else. All postings on this blog are provided “AS IS” with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Automation and DevOps with SQL Server 2022: Integrating CI/CD and Automation Tools

In the modern development landscape, the integration of DevOps practices and automation is crucial for delivering high-quality software efficiently. SQL Server 2022 brings a host of new features and improvements that make it easier than ever to integrate database management into DevOps workflows. This blog post will explore how to leverage SQL Server 2022 in DevOps pipelines, focusing on Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) and automation tools.

🚀 The Role of DevOps in Database Management

DevOps emphasizes collaboration between development and operations teams, aiming to deliver applications and services more efficiently. In the context of databases, DevOps practices help ensure that database changes are integrated, tested, and deployed as seamlessly as application code. Key benefits include:

  • Improved collaboration between developers and DBAs.
  • Faster delivery cycles through automated deployments.
  • Reduced risk with consistent and repeatable processes.

🛠️ Setting Up CI/CD for SQL Server 2022

Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) are fundamental components of a DevOps strategy. CI involves automatically integrating and testing code changes, while CD automates the deployment of these changes to production.

1. Database Version Control

Version control is a critical aspect of CI/CD. Tools like Git can be used to track changes to database schema and code. SQL Server 2022 works seamlessly with version control systems, allowing you to manage your database scripts (e.g., schema, stored procedures, functions) just like application code.

2. Automated Builds and Testing

Automating the build and testing process is crucial for catching issues early. Here’s how to set it up:

  • SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT): Use SSDT to create and manage database projects in Visual Studio. It allows you to define the database schema as code and includes tools for schema comparison and deployment.
  • Azure DevOps Pipelines: Azure DevOps provides robust CI/CD capabilities. You can define pipelines that automatically build your database project, run unit tests, and deploy changes. For example:
trigger:
  - main

pool:
  vmImage: 'windows-latest'

steps:
  - task: UseDotNet@2
    inputs:
      packageType: 'sdk'
      version: '3.x.x'

  - task: NuGetToolInstaller@1

  - task: NuGetCommand@2
    inputs:
      restoreSolution: '$(solution)'

  - task: VSBuild@1
    inputs:
      solution: '**/*.sln'
      msbuildArgs: '/p:DeployOnBuild=true /p:PublishProfile=$(publishProfile)'

  - task: PublishTestResults@2
    inputs:
      testRunner: 'VSTest'
      testResultsFiles: '**/*.trx'
  • Automated Testing: Incorporate automated tests to validate database changes. Use tools like tSQLt, a unit testing framework for T-SQL, to write and execute tests. This ensures that your changes do not introduce regressions.

3. Continuous Deployment

Continuous Deployment extends CI by automating the deployment of code changes to various environments, including staging and production.

  • Database Migration Tools: Tools like Flyway and Liquibase can automate database migrations, ensuring that schema changes are applied consistently across environments.
  • Release Management: Use release management tools like Octopus Deploy or Azure DevOps Release Pipelines to orchestrate deployments. These tools provide features like approvals, rollbacks, and environment-specific configurations.

⚙️ Automation Tools in SQL Server 2022

SQL Server 2022 includes several features and integrations that facilitate automation:

1. SQL Server Agent

SQL Server Agent is a powerful job scheduling tool that can automate routine tasks, such as backups, index maintenance, and monitoring. You can integrate SQL Server Agent jobs into your CI/CD pipelines to automate post-deployment tasks.

2. PowerShell and dbatools

PowerShell is a versatile scripting language that can automate various SQL Server tasks. The dbatools module, in particular, provides a rich set of cmdlets for managing SQL Server instances, databases, and backups.

Example: Automating backup verification using dbatools:

Install-Module dbatools
Import-Module dbatools

$servers = "Server1", "Server2"
foreach ($server in $servers) {
    Test-DbaLastBackup -SqlInstance $server -Databases master, msdb, model
}

3. Azure Automation

Azure Automation allows you to automate management tasks using runbooks. For SQL Server, you can create runbooks to automate tasks like scaling, backup management, and monitoring.

🌐 Hybrid and Cloud Integration

SQL Server 2022 is designed with cloud and hybrid environments in mind, making it easier to manage and automate SQL Server across on-premises and cloud platforms. Key integrations include:

  • Azure Arc: Azure Arc-enabled data services allow you to manage SQL Server instances across different environments, providing a unified management experience.
  • Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions: These platforms provide cloud-native CI/CD solutions that integrate seamlessly with SQL Server, enabling automated deployments to Azure SQL Database, SQL Managed Instance, and on-premises SQL Server instances.

🔄 Best Practices for Database DevOps

  1. Treat Database Schema as Code: Use version control for database schema changes to maintain a history and enable collaboration.
  2. Automate Everything: From builds and tests to deployments and backups, automation reduces the risk of human error and ensures consistency.
  3. Implement Robust Testing: Use unit tests, integration tests, and automated testing frameworks to validate changes.
  4. Monitor Continuously: Use monitoring tools to track the performance and health of your databases, ensuring that any issues are detected early.
  5. Plan for Rollbacks: Always have a rollback plan in place in case of deployment failures. This might include database backups or transactional scripts.

🚀 Conclusion

SQL Server 2022 brings powerful new features and integrations that make it an excellent choice for DevOps practices. By implementing CI/CD pipelines and automation tools, you can streamline database management, improve collaboration, and accelerate the delivery of high-quality software. Whether you’re working in a purely on-premises environment, in the cloud, or in a hybrid setup, SQL Server 2022 provides the flexibility and capabilities needed to succeed in today’s fast-paced development world.

For more tutorials and tips on SQL Server, including performance tuning and database management, be sure to check out our JBSWiki YouTube channel.

Thank You,
Vivek Janakiraman

Disclaimer:
The views expressed on this blog are mine alone and do not reflect the views of my company or anyone else. All postings on this blog are provided “AS IS” with no warranties, and confers no rights.