Problem:

There are often times when you need to stop and start SQL Server services, but many people, including sysadmins and SQL Server developers, may not know how to do this. In this article, we will explore various methods of starting and stopping SQL Server services.

Solution:

There are several ways to handle SQL Server services, depending on your preference and the tools available to you. Here are some methods:

1. Using Windows Services Manager

The Windows Service Management Console is the de facto tool for starting and stopping services. You can access it from the Windows Administrative Tools folder. Simply find the appropriate service for the SQL Server instance you want to change, right-click on it, and select “Start”, “Stop”, or “Restart” from the pop-up menu.

2. Using SQL Server Configuration Manager

SQL Server Configuration Manager is a tool provided by Microsoft specifically for configuring SQL Server services. You can start, stop, and restart services by right-clicking on the service you want to modify and selecting the appropriate action from the contextual menu.

3. Using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

SSMS also allows you to start and stop SQL Server services locally and on remote systems. Right-clicking on a database server or SQL Server Agent in the Object Explorer window will bring up a contextual menu with options to “Start”, “Stop”, or “Restart” the service. You can also manage services from the Registered Servers feature in SSMS by right-clicking on the server name and expanding the “Service Control” item.

4. Using the Command Line

If you prefer the command line, you can use the NET or SC commands to manage services. The NET command is used for local computers, while the SC command can also work on remote systems. For example, to start the SQL Agent service of the default SQL Server instance, you can use the command “net start SQLSERVERAGENT”.

5. Using PowerShell

PowerShell is a task automation and configuration management framework that can be used to start and stop SQL Server services. You can use the Get-Service cmdlet to view service status, and the Set-Service cmdlet to start or stop services. For example, to start the default SQL Server instance, you can use the command “Set-Service -Name MSSQLSERVER -Status Running”. PowerShell can also be used to manage services on remote systems using the Invoke-Command cmdlet.

6. Using dbatools

Dbatools is a free PowerShell module that includes administration, development, and migration commands for SQL Server. It provides cmdlets like Get-DbaService, Start-DbaService, and Stop-DbaService to view and manage SQL Server services on one or more computers.

7. Using SQLCMD

SQLCMD is a command-line tool that can execute operating system commands. While it doesn’t have built-in methods for starting and stopping SQL Server services, you can use the “!!” command to execute operating system commands. For example, to start the SQL Agent service of the default SQL Server instance, you can use the command “!!net start SQLSERVERAGENT”.

8. Starting and Stopping SQL Server Services on Linux

On Linux systems, services are managed by the systemd service manager. To start, stop, or restart SQL Server services on Linux, you can use the systemctl command. For example, to start the SQL Server service, you can use the command “systemctl start mssql-server”.

By using these methods, you can easily start and stop SQL Server services based on your needs and preferences.

Article Last Updated: 2023-08-03