11

I'm having problems with one of my SQL Server 2016 Standard servers. I have 8 production servers and this one is the only one who crashes randomly without having any trace in the log.

I have system_health enabled on it. I noticed that I have a row in system health witch is "sql_exit_invoked".

system_health_sql_exit_invoked

I'm trying to find more informations on that row. What does it means? The only info I found over the internet is that it happens when SQLExit() is called and that it's logged only since SQL 2012. (link available on msdn website )

sql_exit_description

So my question is : Should I worry to see this in my log? I find this only on my problematic server and not on any of the other 7 servers. (All of them are SQL Server 2016 Standard edition)

Can anybody give me more information on this?

Improve this question
  • 1
    Since the event is only generated at shutdown, perhaps it has rolled off of the other server traces? FYI, the possible values are FAST_SHUTDOWN, NICE_SHUTDOWN, ORDERLY_SHUTDOWN, SHUTDOWN_NOT_SET according to SELECT * FROM sys.dm_xe_map_values WHERE name = 'sql_shutdown_option'; – Dan Guzman Dec 13 '18 at 15:12
5

Extended Events are pretty poorly documented.

Debug channel extended events are even more poorly documented.

Based on my testing, you'll need to use the "shutdown_option" value from those event entries as a clue for where to look next. Here's what they mean in my limited testing:

  • ORDERLY_SHUTDOWN
    • restart or stop the service cleanly (using Config Manager, Services snap in, etc)
    • restart Windows cleanly (start menu -> shutdown / restart)
  • NICE_SHUTDOWN - stop the service using the SHUTDOWN; T-SQL command
  • FAST_SHUTDOWN - stop the service using the SHUTDOWN WITH NOWAIT; T-SQL command

Note that I also tried the following, and they did not register anything in the Extended Events session:

  • shutdown Windows by holding down the power button
  • kill the sqlservr.exe process from the Task Manager

I was unable to get the SHUTDOWN_NOT_SET version of the event to fire, so that one remains a mystery.

In your screenshot, I can see that ORDERLY_SHUTDOWN is the option in your scenario. In that case, since this seems to imply a clean shutdown of the service or Windows PC, I would look into the Windows Event Viewer "System" log and see why the machine is being restarted, or what service / component is issuing a SHUTDOWN command to the SQL Server serevice.

Good luck!

Improve this answer
  • thanks, that helps me a lot! Then I know that in this particular case I don't need to worry since the OS was probably restarted (I'll validate that with the IT team) – Danielle Paquette-Harvey Dec 13 '18 at 16:50

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.