Part -1 : Managing SQL Server with DBA Tools

Introduction to DBATools

DBATools is an open-source, free, community-driven PowerShell module that effectively helps the DBAs manage and automate different SQL Server tasks.

The dbatools module is designed to simplify the management of SQL Server instances, databases, and other related components. It offers a wide range of functionalities, including backup and restore, migration, scripting, performance monitoring, and more. The module can be installed on any machine that runs PowerShell, which means that you can use it on your local computer or a remote server.

One of the key features of dbatools is its ability to automate repetitive tasks. For example, if you need to create a new SQL Server instance, you can use the New-DbaInstance cmdlet, which will automate the entire process. You can also use dbatools to migrate databases from one server to another, without manually backing up and restoring each database.

The module also includes a range of tools for monitoring and optimizing SQL Server performance. For example, the Get-DbaWaitStats cmdlet allows you to view detailed information about SQL Server wait statistics, which can help you identify performance bottlenecks. The Get-DbaLastBackup cmdlet can be used to quickly view information about the last backup of each database on a server.

Dbatools also includes a number of cmdlets for backup and restore operations. For example, the Backup-DbaDatabase cmdlet can be used to backup a SQL Server database to a file or a network share. The Restore-DbaDatabase cmdlet can be used to restore a database from a backup file.

The stairway series emphasizes the usage of dbatools with detailed practical examples, covering a wide range of functionalities, including but not limited to the ones mentioned below.

SQL Server Installation

Patching SQL Server

Backup database(s)

Restore database(s)

Collecting different details related to SQL Server Instances and objects

Replication automation

Database Migration

Managing Logins and Logins

Linked Server Management

Orphaned User Fix

Mount\Unmount Database

 

Installation

Prerequisites

• SQL Server 2000 and above 
• No PowerShell is needed on the host for SQL Server-only commands
• PowerShell remoting enabled on the host for remote Windows commands
• Recommended minimum version for full compatibility is 5.0 or higher.

DBATools installation Methods

Several ways are there to install dbatools.

1. Using PowerShell Gallery: You can install dbatools directly from the PowerShell Gallery using the following command in PowerShell:

   Install-Module -Name dbatools

   This will download and install the latest version of dbatools from the PowerShell Gallery. You need an internet connectivity from the workstation you are running this command.

2. Using Chocolatey: Chocolatey is a package manager for Windows that allows you to install and manage software from the command line. To install dbatools using Chocolatey, you first need to install Chocolatey itself. Once Chocolatey is installed, you can run the following command in PowerShell to install dbatools:

   choco install dbatools --version=1.1.130choco install dbatools

   This will download and install the latest version of dbatools from the Chocolatey repository.

3. Manual installation: If you prefer, you can also download the dbatools module manually from the dbatools website and install it manually. To do this, follow these steps:a. Download the latest version of the dbatools module from the dbatools website (https://dbatools.io/download/).b. Extract the contents of the ZIP file to a folder on your computer.c. Open PowerShell as an administrator and navigate to the folder where you extracted the dbatools module.

   d. Run the following command in PowerShell to import the dbatools module:

   Import-Module .\dbatools-master\dbatools.psd1

DBAtools installation from Powershell Gallery

This article of the Stairway series provides a walkthrough for installing dbatools using PowerShell Gallery.

Open Powershell ISE using Run as Administrator

Run the below command

Install-Module -Name dbatools​

You might encounter the below error while running the above command.

The reason is that the PSGallery Repository is not trusted for your workstation. You can check this by running the Get-PSRepository in powershell as follows which shows the Installation policy as Untrusted.

Below command can be executed to make the repository trusted.

Now the Get-PSRepository commanlet returns the repostiory as trusted as follows.

Now try running the Install-Module command again and can see the installation come out successful as follows.

Import dbatools module

Now you need to import the dbatools module to start using it. For that we need to execute the below commandlet.

Import-Module -Name dbatools

Verification

Run the get-module commandlet to confirm the proper installation of dbatools.

Get-Module -Name dbatools

You can also verify the module installation by checking if the dbatools folder got created in the below location

C:\Program Files\WindowsPowerShell\Modules

 

Remove dbatools module

If you need to remove the dbatools module from the current session, you need to run the below command in powershell ISE, but it does not uninstall it from the system. This means that the module is still installed on the computer, and you can import it again in a new session.

Remove-Module -Name dbatools

Verify using get-module commandlet to see if the module got removed from the system as follows. The output will show empty if the module is not loaded in the session.

 

Uninstall dbatools module

Uninstall-Module , removes the module from the system, which means that it uninstalls the module files from your computer, and you will not be able to import or use the module again in any PowerShell session until it is reinstalled.

Uninstall-Module -Name dbatools

Verify the folder named dbatools got removed from the below folder after execution of the Uninstall-Module commandlet as shown in the below screenshot.

C:\Program Files\WindowsPowerShell\Modules

Summary

This article introduces dbatools, a PowerShell module that helps automate SQL Server-related tasks. It explains how to install  dbatools using the PowerShell Gallery and highlights some of its key features. The article aims to provide an easy-to-follow guide for those interested in using dbatools for SQL Server administration. In the next Stairway article, we will discuss on installing dbatools manually on a system.

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