Tip: Configure SQL Server Agent to Restart Services Automatically

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You can configure SQL Server Agent to restart the SQL Server and SQL Server Agent services automatically if they stop unexpectedly. Configuring automatic restart of these services is a good idea because it might keep you from getting paged if the server stops for some reason at 3:00 in the morning.

To configure automatic service restart:

• Open the SQL Server Management Studio Management folder, right-click the SQL Server Agent entry, and select Properties.
• On the General page, select the Auto Restart SQL Server If It Stops Unexpectedly check box.
• Here, you should also select the Auto Restart SQL Server Agent If It Stops Unexpectedly check box.
• Click OK.

It’s a simple configuration that can ensure greater uptime.

From the Microsoft Press book Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant, Second Edition by William R. Stanek.

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