automation

I got the Power: Remote Execution using Powershell and SQL Server

As part of my journey to get better at Powershell, I gave myself a task: Create a project utilizing Powershell at its core, to solve a complicated problem as elegantly as possible.

A complicated problem indeed presented itself: How to remotely control multiple computers without having to log into them? Make them perform any task that could possibly be needed? Control them from one central location? And make the solution as easily scalable as possible?

I present to you, the Framework for Remote Execution using Powershell and SQL Server. Or in short: FREPS. Hmm… Actually, I may have to work on that name. 🤔

One handy Powershell script template to rule them all

If you know me, you already know that I’m a huge fan of automation. Therefore, it’s natural to assume that I would dabble in Powershell at least once or twice or a few dozen, as a method to implement useful automations. After all, automation is pretty much the whole essence of Powershell in the first place.

As I used Powershell scripts more and more, I learned that there are a few things that are important to have whenever you use such scripts as part of automation (by “automation” I mean any sort of operation done “unattended”, i.e. without direct human interaction in real-time).

Monitoring SQL Server Version Updates using SentryOne

2021-01-28
SQL Server Database Engine, Tools and Scripts

Following the recent acquisition of SentryOne by SolarWinds, I’ve decided to write a few special blog posts dedicated to our favorite SQL server monitoring platform.

Click here if you missed my previous post: Common issues during SentryOne version upgrades.

As part of the managed DBA service that Madeira data solutions provides, we make extensive use of the SentryOne monitoring and alerting platform. As such, we’ve gathered significant experience in using, managing, and maintaining the platform.

This also includes utilizing the platform to do all kinds of “unorthodox” monitoring, which is not available “out-of-the-box”.

Feature Request – Expand MSX/TSX Capabilities for HADR

2020-09-16
Life, SQL Server Database Engine, Tools and Scripts

Following my presentation of “How to HADR Your SQL Server Jobs” at the HA/DR PASS Virtual Group yesterday, David Klee (@kleegeek) and I continued chatting for a bit longer after the recording was concluded. During which, the MSX/TSX feature of SQL Server came up, and David suggested that I’d utilize my newly earned MVP status to push a feature request to expand these capabilities.

T-SQL Tuesday #130 – Eitan’s Laws of Automation

2020-09-08
Life
10 Comments

This month, Elizabeth Noble is hosting #tsql2sday with the topic of automation. This is very similar to previous couple of T-SQL Tuesdays hosted by Ken Fisher (127) and Jess Pomfret (123). I already wrote about the topic of automation extensively in those past posts. So, instead of repeating myself, I’m gonna write about this topic a bit differently.

T-SQL Tuesday #127 – Tips and Tricks to Automate Your Life

2020-06-09
Life
3 Comments

This month’s #tsql2sday is hosted by Ken Fisher (b|t) who asks us to share tips unrelated to database systems. I will take this opportunity to talk about what you can do to easily automate a lot of your daily tasks, and never miss a thing.