Problem
As you know SQL Server runs using a bunch of different services in order for it to operate. These can be monitored, started and stopped using SQL Server Configuration Manager or Windows Services, but this is not always the most convenient way of checking the services. Is there any way this can be done within SQL Server Management Studio? In this tip we take a look at a undocumented stored procedure that will allow you to do this.
Solution
To check the SQL Server services or any other service status using SSMS you can execute the extended stored procedure xp_servicecontrol. This is un documented extended stored procedure.
Syntax
EXEC xp_servicecontrol N'Querystat|Start|Stop',N'Service Name'
| QueryState | Use this command to check the Services status whether service is running or stopped |
| Start | Use this command to start the service |
| Stop | use this command to stop the service |
Examples
--See below example to check the status of SQL Services EXEC xp_servicecontrol N'querystate',N'MSSQLServer' EXEC xp_servicecontrol N'querystate',N'SQLServerAGENT' EXEC xp_servicecontrol N'querystate',N'msdtc' EXEC xp_servicecontrol N'querystate',N'sqlbrowser' EXEC xp_servicecontrol N'querystate',N'MSSQLServerOLAPService' EXEC xp_servicecontrol N'querystate',N'ReportServer' --See below example to start/stop service using SSMS EXEC xp_servicecontrol N'stop',N'SQLServerAGENT' EXEC xp_servicecontrol N'start',N'SQLServerAGENT' --See below example to check non-SQL Service EXEC xp_servicecontrol querystate, DHCPServer
To run this on multiple servers you can use SQLCMD as shown below or you can use Central Management Servers.
Step 1 Create “MyScript.sql” file using the below T-SQL.
set nocount on CREATE TABLE #ServicesStatus ( myid int identity(1,1), serverName nvarchar(100) default @@serverName, serviceName varchar(100), Status varchar(50), checkdatetime datetime default (getdate()) ) INSERT #ServicesStatus (Status) EXEC xp_servicecontrol N'QUERYSTATE',N'MSSQLServer' update #ServicesStatus set serviceName = 'MSSQLServer' where myid = @@identity INSERT #ServicesStatus (Status) EXEC xp_servicecontrol N'QUERYSTATE',N'SQLServerAGENT' update #ServicesStatus set serviceName = 'SQLServerAGENT' where myid = @@identity INSERT #ServicesStatus (Status) EXEC xp_servicecontrol N'QUERYSTATE',N'msdtc'; update #ServicesStatus set serviceName = 'msdtc' where myid = @@identity; INSERT #ServicesStatus (Status) EXEC xp_servicecontrol N'QUERYSTATE',N'sqlbrowser' update #ServicesStatus set serviceName = 'sqlbrowser' where myid = @@identity select * from #ServicesStatus select char(13) select char(13) drop table #ServicesStatus
Step 2 Create a Windows batch file and save it with .bat extension. Add the list of server names you want to check as shown below.
sqlcmd -SServerName1 -E -dtempdb -iMyScript.sql -W >>sqlServicesStatus.txt sqlcmd -SServerName2 -E -dtempdb -iMyScript.sql -W >>sqlServicesStatus.txt sqlcmd -SServerName3 -E -dtempdb -iMyScript.sql -W >>sqlServicesStatus.txt sqlcmd -SServerName4 -E -dtempdb -iMyScript.sql -W >>sqlServicesStatus.txt sqlcmd -SServerName5 -E -dtempdb -iMyScript.sql -W >>sqlServicesStatus.txt
Step 3 Execute the batch file and then open “sqlServicesStatus.txt” to see the status for all services that were checked.
Notes
If the service that you are checking does not exist you will get an error message like the following:
Msg 22003, Level 16, State 1, Line 0 OpenSOpenService() returned error 1060, 'The specified service does not exist as an installed service.'
Also, xp_servicecontrol is an undocument system stored procedure, so you will not get a support for it and moreover there is a chance of code changes or parameter changes, so be aware of this if you decide to use this.
Next Steps
- Use the above or different commands with xp_servicecontrol extended stored procedure
- Create a batch file by adding a number of servers and servicess with xp_servicecontrol to list out service status
- Using this you can extend this to setup a monitoring process to check whether services are running as needed
Biography
Jugal Shah is the founder of SQLDBPool.com, where he is writes articles on SQL Server Administration and Development. Jugal has 8+ years of extensive experience in SQL Server Database administration and development. Jugal has worked on SQL Server 2000, 2005, 2008 and 2008 R2. In his current assignment, Jugal is managing large critical databases. His expertise is in database security, performance tuning and implementing high availability solutions. He can be contacted at jugal.shah@sqldbpool.com. He has been recognized as a SQL Server MVP since 2010.
- MSSQLTips Awards: Trendsetter (25+ tips) – 2013
