| title | Configure automated patching for Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server |
|---|---|
| description | This article explains how to configure Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server automated patching. |
| author | twright-msft |
| ms.author | twright |
| ms.reviewer | mikeray |
| ms.date | 03/13/2023 |
| ms.service | sql |
| ms.subservice | |
| ms.topic | conceptual |
You can configure automated patching for Azure Arc-enabled SQL Servers.
Automated patching:
-
Establishes a maintenance window for an Arc-enabled SQL Server instance
-
Works at the host operating system level and applies to all installed SQL Server instances
-
Only installs automated updates during this maintenance window
For SQL Server, this restriction ensures that system updates and any associated restarts occur at the best possible time for the SQL Server instances and their hosted databases.
-
Currently only works on Windows hosts
It configures Windows Update/Microsoft Update which is the service that ultimately does the patching.
-
Applies Windows and SQL Server updates marked as Important or Critical
Important
Only Windows and SQL Server updates marked as Important or Critical are installed. Other SQL Server updates, such as service packs and cumulative updates that are not marked as Important or Critical, must be installed manually.
The following table describes the options that you may configure for automated patching. Automated patching is currently only configurable through the Azure portal, ARM API, and Azure Policy.
| Setting | Possible values | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Automated Patching | Enable | Disable | Enables or disables automated patching. |
| Maintenance schedule | Daily | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | The weekly schedule for downloading and installing Windows, SQL Server, and Microsoft updates. |
| Maintenance start hour | 0:00-23:00 | The local start time to apply updates. |
Use the Azure portal to configure automated patching for existing Arc-enabled SQL Server instances.
For existing Arc-enabled SQL Server instances:
- Open the Arc-enabled SQL Server instances view
- Select an Arc-enabled SQL Server instance and select Settings > Patching.
- Configure your settings.
- Select Apply to save your changes.
When you enable or configure automated patching, Azure configures the Azure Extension for SQL Server in the background.