Today, we are pleased to announce the ability to patch your SQL Server on Azure VMs registered with the SQL Server IaaS Agent extension, at scale through Azure Update Manager.
With Azure Update Manager, unlike with the existing Automated Patching feature, you’ll be able to automatically install SQL Server Cumulative Updates (CUs), in addition to updates that are marked as Critical or Important.
Azure Update Manager is a unified service that helps manage updates for all your machines. By enabling Azure Update Manager, customers will now be able to:
- Perform one-time updates (or maybe Patch on-demand): Schedule manual updates on demand
- Update management at scale: patch multiple VMs at the same time
- Configure schedules: configure robust schedules to patch groups of VMs based on your business needs:
- Periodic Assessments: Automatically check for new updates every 24 hours and identify machines that may be out of compliance
To get started, access the Azure Update Manager by going to the SQL virtual machines resource in the Azure portal and choosing Updates under Settings. Then select Try Azure Update Manager.
Once in Update Manager for the SQL VM, to allow SQL VMs to receive updates, customers will need to enable Microsoft updates.
Additional Considerations
Customers using Azure Update Manager to patch their SQL Servers on Azure VMs should be aware of other patching solutions in use for updates. If you are currently using the SQL IaaS extension to patch, then be aware of conflicting schedules or consider disabling Automated Patching and migrating to Azure Update Manager to take advantage of the robust features.
At this point, patching SQL Server on Azure VMs through Azure Update Manager or Automated Patching via the SQL IaaS extension is not aware if the SQL Server is a part of an Always On availability group. It is important to keep this in mind when scheduling your updates with an automated process.
You can always go back to Automated Patching by selecting Leave new experience from the new Updates page.
Learn More
- About Azure Update Manager
- Review the following article about how to check and install on-demand updates
- Schedule patching configuration on Azure VMs
- Managing update configuration settings in Azure Update Manager
- Azure Update Manager for SQL Server on Azure VMs
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