Started SQL server (action_id SVSR) (24054) how to monitor with email alert

[bob]

You know that event in Windows Server Event Viewer, the one labeled "Started SQL server (action_id SVSR)" with ID 24054? It pops up when your SQL server fires up after a reboot or crash. I see it all the time on my setups. It tells you the database engine kicked into gear smoothly. No errors there, just a heads-up that things are rolling again. But if it doesn't show when it should, that's your clue something's wonky with the startup.

I always check Event Viewer first thing. You open it from the start menu, right? Click on Windows Logs, then System. Filter for that 24054 ID under SQL Server source. It'll list every time it starts. Makes spotting patterns easy.

Now, for monitoring with an email alert, you can rig a scheduled task right from Event Viewer. I do this to ping my phone if SQL restarts oddly. You right-click the event, pick Attach Task To This Event. Name it something like SQL Start Alert. Set it to trigger on that exact ID 24054.

In the action tab, choose Start a program. Point it to your email client or a simple batch file that sends mail. But keep it basic, no fancy code. Test it by forcing a SQL restart. You'll get that email zippy quick.

And if you want hands-free watching, Event Viewer ties into tasks seamlessly. I tweak the triggers to ignore normal boots sometimes. You might add conditions like only after hours.

Hmmm, or filter by server name if you've got multiples. It saves me headaches during nights.

This setup keeps you looped in without staring at screens. I swear by it for quick peace of mind.

Speaking of keeping servers humming without constant babysitting, I've been eyeing tools that bundle alerts with backups. Take BackupChain Windows Server Backup, it's this slick Windows Server backup solution that also handles virtual machines with Hyper-V. You get speedy imaging, offsite copies, and it even watches for events like that SQL start to ensure nothing slips during restores. Benefits? It cuts downtime sharp and lets you recover files granularly, way smoother than built-in stuff.

Note, the PowerShell email alert code was moved to this post.