Automate deployment by using PowerShell

PowerShell stands out as an incredible tool for automation, particularly when handling repetitive tasks or deploying to various environments. By leveraging the Azure PowerShell module, you can automate several different tasks related to Azure SQL Server and its databases.

Prerequisites

Before using PowerShell with Azure SQL, you will need:

• Windows PowerShell 5.1 or PowerShell 7.x (Recommended)
• Azure PowerShell Module

Connecting to Azure using PowerShell

To connect to Azure, use the ‘Connect-AzAccount’ cmdlet. Multiple options are provided, including interactive login, login with a service principal, and other authentication methodologies. For DBAs who handle multiple Azure subscriptions, it’s also possible to set the desired subscription before proceeding using ‘Set-AzContext’.

#Using Interactive Login
Connect-AzAccount

#Setting the desired subscription
$subscriptionId = "Your Subscription ID"
Set-AzContext -SubscriptionId $subscriptionId

Creating a new Azure SQL Server

Creating a new SQL Server using PowerShell in Automation comprises three steps:

• Define the properties in variables.
• Create a new resource group.
• Create the SQL server.

Here is some sample code:

$resourceGroupName = "Your Resource Group Name"
$location = "Your Location"
$serverName = "Your SQL Server Name"
$adminSqlLogin = "Your Admin Login"
$password = "Your Password"

#Creating a new SQL server
New-AzSqlServer -ResourceGroupName $resourceGroupName -ServerName $serverName -Location $location -SqlAdministratorCredentials $(New-Object -TypeName System.Management.Automation.PSCredential -ArgumentList $adminSqlLogin, $(ConvertTo-SecureString -String $password -AsPlainText -Force))

Deploying a Database via PowerShell

Deploying a database involves defining connection details first. You then create a new database using ‘New-AzSqlDatabase’.

$databaseName = "Your Database Name"

#Creating a new database
New-AzSqlDatabase -ResourceGroupName $resourceGroupName -ServerName $serverName -DatabaseName $databaseName

Managing Firewall Rules

Before accessing your newly created Azure SQL Server, you may need to create a server firewall rule to allow your local IP address. This is achievable using ‘New-AzSqlServerFirewallRule’.

$localIP = ((Invoke-WebRequest -uri "http://ifconfig.me/ip").Content).Trim()

#Create a new firewall rule for your local IP
New-AzSqlServerFirewallRule -ResourceGroupName $resourceGroupName -ServerName $serverName -FirewallRuleName "AllowMyIP" -StartIpAddress $localIP -EndIpAddress $localIP

Automating Deployment of Azure SQL Databases

Packaging all these into a single script will enable you to automate deployment. So, confirm Azure PowerShell module is installed, and PowerShell is running with administrative privileges.

Understanding how to automate deployment using PowerShell is a critical part of preparing for the DP-300 exam. As shown, PowerShell creates an efficient and streamlined environment for managing Azure SQL Databases effectively while improving your productivity. Building proficiency at it will not only help you pass the exam but also unlock countless opportunities in your database administration career.

Practice Test

True or False: PowerShell can be used to automate SQL deployments in Azure.

• True
• False

Answer: True

Explanation: PowerShell is a tool that administrators use to automate and script tasks. This includes managing and deploying SQL databases in Azure.

Which of these is not a benefit of automating deployment using PowerShell?

• A) Reduced manual intervention
• B) Quicker deployment time
• C) Increased deployment errors
• D) More consistent deployments

Answer: C) Increased deployment errors

Explanation: One of the benefits of automating deployment using PowerShell is that it decreases potential for human error, thus leading to fewer deployment errors.

True or False: The New-AzSqlDatabase cmdlet can be used to create a new Azure SQL database.

• True
• False

Answer: True

Explanation: The New-AzSqlDatabase cmdlet in PowerShell is used to create a new SQL database in Azure.

Which of the following cmdlets is used to delete an Azure SQL database?

• A) Remove-AzSqlDatabase
• B) Delete-AzSqlDatabase
• C) Erase-AzSqlDatabase
• D) Zap-AzSqlDatabase

Answer: A) Remove-AzSqlDatabase

Explanation: The Remove-AzSqlDatabase cmdlet in PowerShell is used to delete an existing Azure SQL Database.

The Connect-AzAccount cmdlet is used to ____

• A) Connect to an Azure account within PowerShell
• B) Connect to a SQL database within Azure
• C) Provision a new Azure account
• D) Connect a SQL database to an Azure server

Answer: A) Connect to an Azure account within PowerShell

Explanation: The Connect-AzAccount cmdlet connects to an Azure account within PowerShell to allow administration and deployment of resources.

Multiple Select: Which of the following are necessary to automate Azure SQL deployments using PowerShell?

• A) The Azure SDK
• B) The Azure PowerShell Module
• C) An Azure Account
• D) A local PowerShell installation

Answer: B) The Azure PowerShell Module, C) An Azure Account, D) A local PowerShell installation

Explanation: Apart from the Azure SDK, the Azure PowerShell Module, an Azure Account and a local PowerShell installation are all necessary to automate Azure SQL deployments using PowerShell.

True or False: You cannot set firewall rules using PowerShell.

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: You can indeed set firewall rules for your Azure SQL databases and servers using New-AzSqlServerFirewallRule cmdlet in PowerShell.

Single Select: What is the purpose of the Get-AzSqlDatabase cmdlet in PowerShell?

• A) It retrieves the details of a specific Azure SQL database.
• B) It gets the last logs of an Azure SQL database.
• C) It retrieves the pricing details for Azure SQL databases.
• D) It gets the quota of an Azure SQL server.

Answer: A) It retrieves the details of a specific Azure SQL database.

Explanation: The Get-AzSqlDatabase cmdlet is used to retrieve information about a specific database on an Azure SQL server.

True or False: To automate Azure SQL deployment using PowerShell, you need to install the PowerShell Core.

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: You can automate Azure SQL deployment using the Windows PowerShell, therefore it is not necessary to install the PowerShell Core.

Single Select: What does the Set-AzSqlDatabase cmdlet do in PowerShell?

• A) It sets the firewall rules for an Azure SQL database.
• B) It sets the pricing tier for an Azure SQL database.
• C) It sets the connection string for an Azure SQL database.
• D) It sets the creation date of an Azure SQL database.

Answer: B) It sets the pricing tier for an Azure SQL database.

Explanation: Set-AzSqlDatabase cmdlet is used to change the service level of an Azure SQL database or its other properties.

Interview Questions

What is the primary purpose of using PowerShell for automating deployment in Azure SQL?

PowerShell is used for automating deployment in Azure SQL to streamline the provisioning and management of SQL Server databases, reducing the time and effort required to perform these tasks manually.

How can you create a new Azure SQL Database using PowerShell?

One can use the ‘New-AzSqlDatabase’ cmdlet to create a new Azure SQL Database. This command requires the name of the resource group, server, and database as parameters.

What command would you use to automate the backup of an Azure SQL Database using PowerShell?

The ‘New-AzSqlDatabaseExport’ cmdlet can be used for automating the backup process of an Azure SQL Database. This exports a database to a BACPAC file, effectively creating a backup.

How can you use PowerShell to restore a database backup in Azure SQL Server?

You can use the ‘New-AzSqlDatabaseImport’ cmdlet to restore a database backup in Azure SQL Server. This command requires the storage key type, storage key, storage URI, administrator login, password, server name, and database name as parameters.

How would you use PowerShell to automate the scaling of the Azure SQL Database?

The ‘Set-AzSqlDatabase’ cmdlet is used for automating the scaling of Azure SQL Database. This command accepts parameters like resource group name, server name, database name, and requested service objective name.

What cmdlet would you use to add a new firewall rule to an Azure SQL Server through PowerShell?

The ‘New-AzSqlServerFirewallRule’ command can be used to add a new firewall rule to an Azure SQL Server. This requires the server name, firewall rule name, and start and end IP address.

How can you list all the Azure SQL servers in a subscription using PowerShell?

The ‘Get-AzSqlServer’ cmdlet can be used to list all the Azure SQL servers that are available in a subscription.

Which cmdlet is used in PowerShell to automate the process of restoring a deleted Azure SQL Database?

The ‘Get-AzSqlDeletedDatabaseBackup’ and ‘Restore-AzSqlDatabase` cmdlets can be used together to find and restore a deleted Azure SQL Database.

How can you delete an Azure SQL Server using PowerShell?

The ‘Remove-AzSqlServer’ cmdlet is used to delete an Azure SQL Server. It requires the server name and resource group name as parameters.

How can we update the password of an Azure SQL Server using PowerShell?

The ‘Set-AzSqlServer’ cmdlet is used to update the password of the server admin for an Azure SQL Server. This command requires the server name, resource group name, and new password as parameters.

Which cmdlet is used to retrieve the performance level of an Azure SQL Database using PowerShell?

The ‘Get-AzSqlDatabase’ cmdlet is used to retrieve the performance tier and service level objective of an Azure SQL Database.

How to monitor an Azure SQL Database using PowerShell?

The ‘Get-AzMetric’ cmdlet can be used to monitor an Azure SQL Database. This command retrieves the metrics of a specific resource, in this case, the SQL Database.

How do you connect to an Azure SQL Database using PowerShell?

The ‘Connect-DbaInstance’ cmdlet from the dbatools module is used to connect to an Azure SQL Database. This requires the SQL Server name and login credentials as parameters.

Can you automate the process of transferring data between Azure SQL Databases using PowerShell?

Yes, the ‘Start-AzSqlDatabaseCopy’ cmdlet can be used to automate the process of copying data between Azure SQL Databases.

How would you automate the process of verifying database backup integrity in Azure SQL Server using PowerShell?

The ‘Test-DbaLastBackup’ cmdlet from dbatools module can be used. This tool runs a series of checks on the backup file and returns results about its health and integrity.