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New installation

What is it?​

This page walks you through a first-time SQL Agent install on a Windows machine. If the SQL Agent is already installed and you need to update it, see Upgrade instead.

A complete install has three phases:

  1. Install the SQL Agent software on the Windows machine.
  2. Configure how the service starts (startup type and account).
  3. Create the machine record in OpCon so the agent can communicate with the scheduler.

Prerequisites​

Before you start the installer, make sure the machine has:

  • Local Administrator sign-in rights for the Windows user running the installer.
  • The OpCon installation media containing the SMA OpCon Agent for SQL Install.exe file.
  • A management studio or command-line client for the database the agent will run jobs against.
Examples of supported clients
  • MS SQL Server: SQL Server Management Studio or SQLCMD.exe.
  • Oracle: SQLcl.

Install the SQL Agent​

The installer is a wizard with four configuration screens (instance name, output path, ports, setup type) followed by a final install step. Default values are safe for most environments — change them only if you have a reason to.

Start the installer​

To start the installer, complete the following steps:

  1. Sign in to the Windows machine as a Local Administrator.
  2. Exit all running applications on the desktop, including any OpCon applications.
  3. Double-click the SMA OpCon Agent for SQL Install.exe file in the OpCon installation media. The language screen displays.
  4. Select the desired language for the installation screens and select OK. The Welcome screen displays.

Configure paths, instance name, and ports​

To configure the installation paths and ports, complete the following steps:

  1. Select Next. The Destination Folder screen displays.
  2. Change the target location for the installation or retain the default location.
  3. Select Next. The Configure Instance Name screen displays.
  4. (Optional) Enter a unique instance name to identify the SQL Agent. Use this if you plan to run more than one agent instance on the same machine.
  5. Select Next. The Select Path for File Migration to ProgramData screen displays.
  6. Select Skip. The Select Path for Output Files screen displays.
  7. Change the directory for the output files or retain the default location.
  8. Select Next. The Configure Ports screen displays.
  9. Change the port values or retain the default values.
note

Note the port values you choose — you will need to enter the matching socket number in OpCon when you create the machine record later.

Run the installation​

To run the installation, complete the following steps:

  1. Select Next. The Setup Type screen displays.
  2. Select the Setup Type: Complete or Custom.
    • For a Custom install, the Custom Setup screen displays.
  3. Select Next. The Ready to Install the Program screen displays.
  4. Select Install.
  5. Select Finish on the InstallShield Wizard Completed screen.
Troubleshooting

The installer writes a log file named SMA_OpCon_SQL_Agent_Install.log to the Windows directory. Consult this file if you suspect any installation problems.

Service startup setup​

By default, the SMA OpCon Agent for SQL service is set to Automatic (Delayed Start) and runs under the local system account. Most environments do not need to change these defaults.

Recommended

SMA Technologies recommends leaving the SMA OpCon Agent for SQL service set to Automatic (Delayed Start) to avoid potential issues at startup time while other services and programs start up.

Use the procedure below if you need to change the startup type or the account the service runs as.

Set up service startup​

To set up service startup, complete the following steps:

  1. On the Application server, use the menu path: Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools.
  2. Select Administrative Tools. The Administrative Tools window displays.
  3. Double-click Services. The Services window displays.
  4. Double-click the newly installed SMA OpCon Agent for SQL service. The SMA OpCon Agent for SQL Properties dialog displays with the General tab in focus.
  5. Select the Service Startup type:
    • Automatic (Delayed Start) (recommended)
    • Automatic
    • Manual
    • Disabled
  6. Select the Log On tab.
  7. Select one of the following two Log on as options for the service:
    • Local System account — Select this option if the service will run as the local system account. Selecting it deletes the default Domain User displayed in the field.
    • This account — Select this option if the service needs access to network directories. Enter the Domain User in the field, enter the Password for the Domain User, and re-enter the Password to confirm.
  8. Select OK.

Machine creation​

After the agent is installed, create a machine record in OpCon so the scheduler can communicate with the agent. You only need to do this once per machine — if the machine was previously defined in OpCon, you may skip this procedure.

Create the machine in OpCon​

To create the machine in OpCon, complete the following sub-procedures in order.

Sign in to Enterprise Manager​

To sign in, complete the following steps:

  1. Use the menu path: Start > Programs > OpConxps > Enterprise Manager. The OpCon Login screen displays.
  2. Enter a case-sensitive User Login ID (e.g., ocadm) in the Username field.
  3. Enter the case-sensitive password for the user in the Password field.
  4. Select the profile in the Profile list.
  5. Select Login to sign in to Enterprise Manager.

Add the machine record​

To add the machine record, complete the following steps:

  1. Double-click Machines under the Administration topic in the Navigation Panel. The Machines screen displays.

  2. Select Add on the Machines toolbar.

  3. Enter the official host name or alias based on the agent machine in the Name field.

  4. Enter any relevant documentation for this agent machine in the Documentation field.

  5. Select SQL in the Machine Type list.

  6. Set the value to a unique number (e.g., 21100) in the Socket Number box.

    Match the agent configuration

    The socket number entered here must match the socket entered in the agent configuration file. If the values do not match, OpCon cannot communicate with the agent.

  7. (Optional) Enter the IPv4 or IPv6 address in the IP Address field.

  8. (Optional) Enter the name in the Fully Qualified Domain Name field.

  9. Select Save on the Machines toolbar.

Configure advanced settings and start communication​

To configure optional advanced settings and start communication with the agent, complete the following steps:

  1. (Optional) Select Open Advanced Settings Panel and review and update as necessary:
    • Select the Advanced Options save button to store all changes.
  2. (Optional) Start communication with the machine by:
    • Right-clicking the graphic to enable the menu in the Communication Status frame.
    • Selecting Start Communication from the menu.
  3. Select the x to the right of the Machines tab to close the Machines screen.