SQL Server Shutdown Procedure

[mlawrenson]

Hello, Is it ok to just shutdown windows or should we stop the sql server services manually before we shutdown the server?

I read a thread on here that has been archived regarding the correct procedure to follow when shutting down a sql server. Does anyone know the official line from Microsoft on this?

Reason I ask is because we have a table that needs repairing, and the error occurred on this table after we shutdown the Windows Server 2000 (which is clustered by the way).

Thanks in advance

 

[JohnBates]

We dont stop SQL Server or the Agent before shutting down.
I do, as a rule, ask the users to exit the databases/apps before I reboot.

I don't have an automated/scheduled reboot for SQL Server machines.

HTH John

 

[SQLBill]

I saw a 'best practices' once, that said stop the services before shutting down the server.

-SQLBill

Posting advice: FAQ481-4875

 

[mlawrenson]

Thanks for your replies.

I found a best practices document on ms web site, that says
"Starting, pausing, and stopping the SQL Server service should be done through Enterprise Manager whenever possible." But it doesn't really explain why, and it doesn't actually say not to shutdown the server without stopping the SQL service. See.....

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2000/maintain/sqlops4.mspx

 

[SQLBill]

One big reason is that it (stopping the services) 'cleanly' stops all transactions and jobs. If you just shutdown the server, any active connections (transactions, jobs, etc) are just cut-off.

You can stop the services several different ways. Through Enterprise Manager, through Services, through the SQL Server Service Manager, through a script. But stop them first. ONE IMPORTANT ITEM...if your SQL Server is clustered - the services MUST be stopped via the Cluster Manager, not via EM, QA, or anywhere else.

-SQLBill

Posting advice: FAQ481-4875

 

[mlawrenson]

Thanks again SQLBill. Do you have know of any document I can read on the point you make about always stopping the sql services by Cluster Manager. I'm putting a working intruction together and it would be nice to have something to back it up with.

 

[SQLBill]

Microsoft has something on their site about clustering SQL Server. We 'unclustered' our system a couple of years ago, so I no longer have the information available.

-SQLBill

Posting advice: FAQ481-4875