https://automatesql.com/blog Practical automation blueprints, SQL Server AG patching, Ansible playbooks, and DBA insights from Luke Campbell. en-us https://automatesql.com/blog/using-ansible-vault-with-environment-variables https://automatesql.com/blog/using-ansible-vault-with-environment-variables Tired of typing --vault-password-file? Learn how to use the ANSIBLE_VAULT_PASSWORD_FILE environment variable or ansible.cfg to streamline your Ansible workflow. Sat, 15 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible ansible vault ansible.cfg automation dba security devops environment variables https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-vault-password-file https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-vault-password-file Typing --ask-vault-pass everytime you need to run a playbook is tiresome. Learn how to use an Ansible vault password file to remove this step and enable true unattended automation. A simple, secure 4-step guide. Sat, 08 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible ansible vault secrets management sql server 2025 https://automatesql.com/blog/what-is-inline-vault-encryption-a-guide-to-using-ansibe-vault-encrypt_string https://automatesql.com/blog/what-is-inline-vault-encryption-a-guide-to-using-ansibe-vault-encrypt_string Stop encrypting entire YAML files. Learn to use ansible-vault encrypt_string to protect individual passwords while keeping your config readable for collaboration. Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible ansible vault automation dba security sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/what-is-an-ansible-vault-file https://automatesql.com/blog/what-is-an-ansible-vault-file Take the first step to secure automation. Learn to create an encrypted Ansible Vault file to manage SQL Server passwords, protect secrets, and pass your next audit. Sat, 25 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible asnible vault automation dba security devops secrets management sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/why-hardcoded-passwords-in-your-scripts-will-cost-you-your-job https://automatesql.com/blog/why-hardcoded-passwords-in-your-scripts-will-cost-you-your-job Stop hardcoding passwords! Learn how to use Ansible Vault for SQL Server to encrypt your sensitive credentials in your automation scripts. Protect your data, reclaim your time, and advance your DBA career with secure secrets management. Sat, 18 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible vault dba security secrets managmenet sql server automation https://automatesql.com/blog/smarter-sql-server-automation-with-ansible-handlers https://automatesql.com/blog/smarter-sql-server-automation-with-ansible-handlers How to use Ansible handlers when setting permissions for the SQL Server engine service account on Windows. Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible generate security audits handlers instant file initialization lock pages in memory https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-group-vars-scaling-sql-server-automation https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-group-vars-scaling-sql-server-automation Scale your SQL Server automation with Ansible Group Vars. This guide shows you how to manage permissions across Dev, QA, and Production environments with a single, idempotent playbook. Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible automation configuration management dba group vars idempotency powershell dsc security sql server sqlserverdsc windows automation https://automatesql.com/blog/what-are-ansible-facts-using-system-data-to-make-your-automation-smarter https://automatesql.com/blog/what-are-ansible-facts-using-system-data-to-make-your-automation-smarter Tired of brittle scripts? Learn to use Ansible Facts to create intelligent, adaptable automation for your SQL Server environments and make smarter decisions. Sat, 27 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible ansible facts automation conditional logic configuration management database administration dba idempotency infrastructure as code powershell sql server windows server https://automatesql.com/blog/what-is-idempotency-building-safe-automation-from-the-start https://automatesql.com/blog/what-is-idempotency-building-safe-automation-from-the-start You built your first Ansible playbook, ran it, and saw for yourself that a different way of managing SQL Server is not only possible but within your reach. You... Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible automation architect devops https://automatesql.com/blog/your-first-ansible-playbook-a-10-minute-guide-to-checking-sql-server-version https://automatesql.com/blog/your-first-ansible-playbook-a-10-minute-guide-to-checking-sql-server-version Last week, we talked about the two paths a DBA's career can take: the reactive, problem-fixing "Mechanic" and the proactive, system-designing "Architect."... Sat, 13 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible ansible for windows playbooks sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/the-architect-vs-the-mechanic https://automatesql.com/blog/the-architect-vs-the-mechanic It's 10 PM. An alert fires. The production database is down. You jump on, work your magic, and by 10:45 PM, you've saved the day. You're the hero. Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT career impact orchestration https://automatesql.com/blog/gmsa-setup-preventing-spn-registration-errors https://automatesql.com/blog/gmsa-setup-preventing-spn-registration-errors A few weekends back, I posted the question below on LinkedIn. Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://automatesql.com/blog/how-to-fully-automate-sql-server-ag-patching https://automatesql.com/blog/how-to-fully-automate-sql-server-ag-patching Over the past several blog posts, I've been talking about patching. More specifically, patching SQL Server Availability Groups using the rolling update method.... Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible availability groups sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-2025-critical-breaking-changes-every-dba-must-know https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-2025-critical-breaking-changes-every-dba-must-know The following information is based upon SQL Server 2025 CTP 2.1 and is subject to change upon release. Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible sql server 2025 https://automatesql.com/blog/fix-kerberos-double-hop-error-installing-sql-server-2025-with-ansible-and-ssh https://automatesql.com/blog/fix-kerberos-double-hop-error-installing-sql-server-2025-with-ansible-and-ssh If you're automating your SQL Server 2025 installations on Windows with Ansible over SSH (passwordless login), you might hit a cryptic error that stops you in... Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible ansible windows over ssh kerberos sql server 2025 ssh windows server 2025 https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-ag-patching-with-ansible-tasks https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-ag-patching-with-ansible-tasks In my last post, we defined the prerequisites needed for patching. Before applying the patch, we need to make sure the variables are set and that we're dealing... Tue, 10 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible availability groups sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-ag-patching-prerequisites https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-ag-patching-prerequisites Defining the prerequisites before you start patching is extremely important. I'm not talking about making sure your Ansible control node is set up and testing... Wed, 07 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible availability groups sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-ag-patching-with-ansible-creating-your-role-structure https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-ag-patching-with-ansible-creating-your-role-structure Ansible's inventory file is fundamental for defining and organizing the servers to be managed in a SQL Server Availability Group. It serves as the "address... Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible ansible for windows availability groups sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-ag-patching-with-ansible-building-the-perfect-inventory-file https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-ag-patching-with-ansible-building-the-perfect-inventory-file In my previous post, we explored the concept of rolling updates for SQL Server Availability Groups and how Ansible can transform this complex process into a... Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible availability groups patching sql server updates https://automatesql.com/blog/automating-sql-server-ag-updates-with-ansible https://automatesql.com/blog/automating-sql-server-ag-updates-with-ansible Over the past few weeks in the AutomateSQL Insiders Community, we've been discussing SQL Server patching. More specifically patching Availability Groups in a... Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible availability groups sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/managing-windows-services-with-ansible https://automatesql.com/blog/managing-windows-services-with-ansible Service management is a pretty common task for both DBAs and Windows administrators. If you're like me, you've spent countless hours remoting into servers just... Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible ansible for windows https://automatesql.com/blog/automating-windows-patching-using-ansible https://automatesql.com/blog/automating-windows-patching-using-ansible Explores how Ansible could be used for orchestrating and automating Windows patching with an example playbook. Sat, 15 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible for windows automation microsoft updates windows updates https://automatesql.com/blog/essential-ansible-windows-modules-every-admin-should-know https://automatesql.com/blog/essential-ansible-windows-modules-every-admin-should-know Learn the essential Ansible Windows modules for SQL Server DBAs and Windows administrators. Includes 15 practical examples for automation, from disk management to SQL Server configuration. Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible ansible for windows infrastructure as code (iac) https://automatesql.com/blog/3-ways-to-install-ansible-on-windows https://automatesql.com/blog/3-ways-to-install-ansible-on-windows This is a common question for those of you who are just getting started with Ansible or are curious about how to use it from a Windows machine. Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible ansible for windows docker https://automatesql.com/blog/why-ansible-for-windows-sql-server https://automatesql.com/blog/why-ansible-for-windows-sql-server Learn how Ansible automates Windows and SQL Server management in 2025. Reduce deployment time from hours to minutes and break down silos between DBAs and system administrators. Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT ansible infrastructure as code (iac) https://automatesql.com/blog/how-to-configure-ssh-on-windows-server-2025-for-use-with-ansible https://automatesql.com/blog/how-to-configure-ssh-on-windows-server-2025-for-use-with-ansible Windows Server 2025 includes OpenSSH—no need to install additional software. However, you need to configure it before you can use it. In this post, I'll show... Wed, 11 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT ansible ansible windows over ssh ssh windows server 2025 https://automatesql.com/blog/install-ssms-21-preview-using-ansible https://automatesql.com/blog/install-ssms-21-preview-using-ansible SQL Server Management Studio 21 (Preview) was announced last week at PASS Data Community Summit 2024. It has some cool new features that are available in the... Thu, 14 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT ansible sql server ssms https://automatesql.com/blog/how-to-set-up-replication-using-sql-aliases https://automatesql.com/blog/how-to-set-up-replication-using-sql-aliases A few weeks ago I needed to configure replication between two SQL Server 2022 named instances, on separate networks. In this configuration, the publisher would... Sat, 03 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT ansible dba challenges newsletter powershelldsc sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-by-examples-simplify-sql-server-patching https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-by-examples-simplify-sql-server-patching On July 9th, 2024, Microsoft released a GDR update for multiple editions of SQL Server. As a DBA, you may be planning how to install this update in your lower... Sat, 13 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT ansible automation dba challenges newsletter microsoft updates sql server windows updates https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-by-example-how-i-use-ansible-roles https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-by-example-how-i-use-ansible-roles Install and configure SQL Server on Windows using Ansible Roles. Sat, 06 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT ansible dba challenges newsletter sql server windows server https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-by-example-how-i-use-ansible-vault https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-by-example-how-i-use-ansible-vault Storing passwords in plain text files is a big problem. Such as the SA password when working with SQL Server. But how do you automate the installation of SQL... Sat, 29 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT ansible ansible vault sql server windows server https://automatesql.com/blog/how-to-use-ansible-templates-as-sql-server-config-files https://automatesql.com/blog/how-to-use-ansible-templates-as-sql-server-config-files How to use Ansible templates when installing SQL Server on Windows. Sat, 22 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT ansible sql server windows https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-by-example-ansible-facts https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-by-example-ansible-facts No one wants to build a new SQL Server instance, release it to production, and immediately request a maintenance window to fix a configuration issue. Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT ansible dba challenges newsletter sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-by-example-simple-sql-server-installation https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-by-example-simple-sql-server-installation Are you familiar with the terms DevOps and Platform Engineering? DevOps is the process of consistently and reliably deploying applications into production... Sat, 08 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT ansible automation dba challenges newsletter sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-by-example-simplifying-sql-server-disk-preparation-on-windows https://automatesql.com/blog/ansible-by-example-simplifying-sql-server-disk-preparation-on-windows Over the years, I've completed a lot of SQL Server installations. Some of those resulted in having to move database files around afterward because I failed to... Sat, 25 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT ansible automation dba challenges newsletter https://automatesql.com/blog/using-wireshark-to-verify-network-data-security https://automatesql.com/blog/using-wireshark-to-verify-network-data-security Over the past several weeks we've implemented a CA, generated a certificate, and enabled SQL Server network encryption. We validated encryption was being used... Sat, 27 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT active directory dba challenges newsletter sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/generating-certificate-requests https://automatesql.com/blog/generating-certificate-requests For a DBA, securing SQL Server is a critical aspect of the job. Securing data at rest, data in motion, and data in use (in memory) are all areas a potential... Sun, 21 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT active directory dba challenges newsletter sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/web-enrollment-site-configuration https://automatesql.com/blog/web-enrollment-site-configuration Last week, we ended after the initial CA configuration. This week, we'll enable HTTPS for our Web Enrollment site. I'll cover an issue I encountered when using... Sat, 13 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT active directory certificate authority dba challenges newsletter https://automatesql.com/blog/configuring-ca https://automatesql.com/blog/configuring-ca In the last edition, we concluded after installing Active Directory Certificate Services. Sat, 06 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT active directory dba challenges newsletter https://automatesql.com/blog/installing-adcs-for-dbas https://automatesql.com/blog/installing-adcs-for-dbas Most new DBAs aren't familiar with certificates, or generating certificate requests, to be used by SQL Server. Sat, 30 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT active directory dba challenges newsletter https://automatesql.com/blog/guide-to-unattended-windows-server-2025-preview-edition-installation-simplify-your-setup https://automatesql.com/blog/guide-to-unattended-windows-server-2025-preview-edition-installation-simplify-your-setup Today I want to share a quick tip on getting started with Windows Server 2025 Standard Edition (preview). It seems Server 2022 just came out a few short weeks... Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT dba challenges newsletter https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-change-tracking-features https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-change-tracking-features Good morning! Hopefully, this week's edition finds you getting some much-needed rest on a Saturday. It's early here in Tennessee and I'm hoping for a sunny day. Sat, 16 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT dba challenges newsletter https://automatesql.com/blog/keeping-data-confidential-essential-strategies-for-dbas https://automatesql.com/blog/keeping-data-confidential-essential-strategies-for-dbas Keeping data confidential is a crucial role for a DBA. Today, I'll share strategies that Database Administrators can implement to enhance data confidentiality.... Sat, 09 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT dba challenges newsletter https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-database-scripting-with-powershell https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-database-scripting-with-powershell Today, I want to talk about one common challenge a DBA may encounter. Scripting a database(s). There are a few common scenarios that may require this. Here are... Sat, 02 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT dba challenges newsletter https://automatesql.com/blog/capacity-planning-for-sql-server-dbas https://automatesql.com/blog/capacity-planning-for-sql-server-dbas A common challenge DBAs encounter is efficient capacity planning. Ensuring that SQL Server is operational, optimized, and ready to scale is important. Sat, 24 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT dba challenges newsletter sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-backup-file-locations https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-backup-file-locations I recently had a conversation about the placement of SQL Server native backups. Backups were stored on the same drive as the database log files, and I... Sat, 17 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT dba challenges newsletter https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-troubleshoot-tempdb-space https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-troubleshoot-tempdb-space Sign up for the DBA Challenges Newsletter here --> DBA Challenges - Newsletter (automatesql.com). Sat, 10 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT dba challenges newsletter sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/packer-part-6 https://automatesql.com/blog/packer-part-6 In part 5, we created the remaining configuration scripts that we'll use to create the Windows Server 2022 golden image. At this point, your... Fri, 09 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT packer https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-dba-s-handbook-navigating-active-directory-integration-security https://automatesql.com/blog/sql-server-dba-s-handbook-navigating-active-directory-integration-security In today's issue, I will show how to perform a simple installation of Active Directory, cover basic concepts, and explain why it's crucial to a DBA. Sun, 04 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT active directory dba challenges newsletter sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/dba-challenges-saturday-january-27th-2024 https://automatesql.com/blog/dba-challenges-saturday-january-27th-2024 Welcome to this week's edition. We'll break down the two most popular posts ranked by comments. Be sure to grab the scripts to work through the demo yourself... Sat, 27 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT dba challenges newsletter https://automatesql.com/blog/packer-part-5 https://automatesql.com/blog/packer-part-5 In part 4, we created the autounattend.xml and PackerShutdown.bat files and created the source block. Fri, 26 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT automation packer https://automatesql.com/blog/packer-part-4 https://automatesql.com/blog/packer-part-4 You know how annoying it is to install an OS manually. Having to click through the initial setup, remember which drivers to install, and then apply your basic... Sat, 06 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT automation packer https://automatesql.com/blog/packer-part-3 https://automatesql.com/blog/packer-part-3 In Part 2 of this series, we reviewed the different aspects of a Packer template file. In this post, we'll begin creating the HCL template file for the Windows... Thu, 28 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT automation packer https://automatesql.com/blog/packer-part-2 https://automatesql.com/blog/packer-part-2 Part 2 covers the concepts of the build process and HashiCorp Configuration Language (HCL) templates. Builders create machines and generate images from those... Thu, 21 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT automation packer https://automatesql.com/blog/packer-part-1 https://automatesql.com/blog/packer-part-1 If you're someone tasked with server provisioning, OS installations/configurations, or setting up a home virtual sandbox, this blog series is for you. In it,... Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT automation infrastructure as code (iac) packer https://automatesql.com/blog/why-hands-on-experience-matters https://automatesql.com/blog/why-hands-on-experience-matters My wife, son, and I went fishing at our local lake a few weekends ago. That Saturday morning, we got up, loaded the fishing gear, and put the boat in the... Thu, 07 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT professional development sandbox https://automatesql.com/blog/using-kerberos-with-ansible https://automatesql.com/blog/using-kerberos-with-ansible I use Ansible in my virtual sandbox to configure and maintain Linux and Windows servers. I aim to set up my sandbox to match most of the production... Sun, 26 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT ansible automation kerberos https://automatesql.com/blog/howto-install-sqlserver-2022-developer-edition https://automatesql.com/blog/howto-install-sqlserver-2022-developer-edition Have you ever needed to install a relational database engine fast in your sandbox? SQL Server is well known for its easy installation, albeit not all best... Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT sql server https://automatesql.com/blog/getting-started-with-ansible-creating-your-first-playbook https://automatesql.com/blog/getting-started-with-ansible-creating-your-first-playbook Imagine you're walking into a job interview or taking on a new role. During the interview, the hiring manager asks, "What sets you apart from the other twenty... Sat, 30 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT ansible automation internet information services nginx playbooks https://automatesql.com/blog/try-azure-sql-database-for-free https://automatesql.com/blog/try-azure-sql-database-for-free Have you ever left an interview feeling let down because you were told you lacked sufficient experience? Do you find yourself caught in the vicious cycle of... Fri, 29 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT azure azure sql database microsoft https://automatesql.com/blog/getting-started-with-ansible-creating-your-first-inventory-file https://automatesql.com/blog/getting-started-with-ansible-creating-your-first-inventory-file Inventory files lie at the core of Ansible. They are a crucial component that organizes and categorizes the target hosts to which Ansible will apply... Thu, 21 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT ansible automation https://automatesql.com/blog/getting-started-with-ansible-setting-up-a-windows-managed-node https://automatesql.com/blog/getting-started-with-ansible-setting-up-a-windows-managed-node Setting up a Windows managed node is a crucial step in leveraging Ansible for managing your Windows infrastructure efficiently. In this post, we'll walk... Tue, 19 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT ansible automation https://automatesql.com/blog/getting-started-with-ansible-installing-the-control-node https://automatesql.com/blog/getting-started-with-ansible-installing-the-control-node In continuing the "Getting Started With Ansible" series, I will cover the control node, how to install it, and end with a quick demo of the process. In the... Wed, 13 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT ansible automation https://automatesql.com/blog/getting-started-with-ansible-key-concepts https://automatesql.com/blog/getting-started-with-ansible-key-concepts Ansible is a powerful automation tool that can simplify your IT configuration tasks and boost productivity. If you've found yourself overwhelmed with... Thu, 07 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT ansible automation event driven https://automatesql.com/blog/basic_kickstart_file_for_automated_linux_install https://automatesql.com/blog/basic_kickstart_file_for_automated_linux_install Similar to how Windows Answer Files help in automating installations of the Windows OS, kickstart files help in automating installations of some Linux... Tue, 22 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMT kickstart linux https://automatesql.com/blog/red-hat-developer-subscriptions https://automatesql.com/blog/red-hat-developer-subscriptions Need access to the latest versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux or other software Red Hat offers? The Red Hat Developer Subscription for Individuals offers a... Wed, 16 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMT red hat https://automatesql.com/blog/howto-create-windows-answer-files-for-unattended-installations https://automatesql.com/blog/howto-create-windows-answer-files-for-unattended-installations Building windows images Mon, 14 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMT automation unattended installation vmware workstation windows server https://automatesql.com/blog/optimize-and-streamline-your-it-infrastructure-management-with-powerful-configuration-management-tools https://automatesql.com/blog/optimize-and-streamline-your-it-infrastructure-management-with-powerful-configuration-management-tools Imagine being a systems administrator and being asked to configure 100s of new servers or desktops due to a recent company merger. This is a daunting task even... Thu, 03 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMT ansible artificial intelligence (ai) automation chef cloud infrastructure configuration management idempotent infrastructure as code (iac) it infrastructure puppet saltstack scalability terraform