Solved: How to fix and avoid “Resource ‘SqlPermission’ not found” error when using Ansible and PowerShell DSC to configure SQL Server permissions

• The blog post explains how to fix and avoid the “Resource ‘SqlPermission’ not found” error when using Ansible and PowerShell DSC to configure SQL Server permissions.
• The blog post provides some steps to troubleshoot and resolve the error, such as checking the installation, importation, and compatibility of the SqlServerDsc module on the target server.
• The blog post also provides some tips and best practices for using Ansible and PowerShell DSC for SQL Server administration, such as using roles, collections, modules, plugins, variables, facts, handlers, and notifications.

If you are looking for a way to automate the installation and configuration of SQL Server on Windows servers, you might have heard of Ansible and PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC). Ansible is an open-source tool that can manage and orchestrate various IT tasks across multiple platforms, while PowerShell DSC is a native feature of PowerShell that can define and enforce the desired state of Windows resources. By combining these two technologies, you can create a powerful and flexible solution for deploying and managing SQL Server instances.

However, as with any complex system, there might be some challenges and pitfalls along the way. In this blog post, we will explore one of the common issues that users face when using Ansible and PowerShell DSC to configure SQL Server permissions: the error message “Resource ‘SqlPermission’ not found.” We will explain what causes this error, how to fix it, and how to avoid it in the future. We will also provide some useful tips and best practices for using Ansible and PowerShell DSC for SQL Server administration.

What is the “Resource ‘SqlPermission’ not found” error?

The “Resource ‘SqlPermission’ not found” error occurs when you try to use the SqlPermission DSC resource from the SqlServerDsc module in an Ansible task. The SqlPermission DSC resource allows you to grant or revoke permissions on a SQL Server instance or database for a specific user or group. For example, you might want to grant the sysadmin role to a service account or enable the Always On Availability Groups feature for a SQL Server instance.

The error message indicates that Ansible cannot find the SqlPermission DSC resource on the target server. This could be due to several reasons, such as:

• The SqlServerDsc module is not installed on the target server.
• The SqlServerDsc module is installed on the target server, but it is not imported into the PowerShell session.
• The SqlServerDsc module is installed on the target server, but it does not contain the SqlPermission DSC resource.
• The SqlServerDsc module is installed on the target server, but it is not compatible with the version of PowerShell or SQL Server on the target server.

How to fix the “Resource ‘SqlPermission’ not found” error?

To fix the “Resource ‘SqlPermission’ not found” error, you need to ensure that the SqlServerDsc module is properly installed, imported, and compatible on the target server. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

1. Check if the SqlServerDsc module is installed on the target server. You can use the Get-Module cmdlet with the -ListAvailable parameter to list all the modules that are available on the target server. If you don’t see the SqlServerDsc module in the output, you need to install it first. You can use the Install-Module cmdlet from PowerShell Gallery or download it manually from GitHub.
2. Check if the SqlServerDsc module is imported into the PowerShell session. You can use the Get-Module cmdlet without any parameters to list all the modules that are currently loaded in the PowerShell session. If you don’t see the SqlServerDsc module in the output, you need to import it first. You can use the Import-Module cmdlet with the -Name parameter to import a specific module by name.
3. Check if the SqlServerDsc module contains the SqlPermission DSC resource. You can use the Get-DscResource cmdlet with the -Name parameter to list all the DSC resources that are available in a specific module. If you don’t see the SqlPermission DSC resource in the output, you need to update or replace your SqlServerDsc module with a newer or different version that contains it.
4. Check if the SqlServerDsc module is compatible with your PowerShell and SQL Server versions. You can use the $PSVersionTable variable to check your PowerShell version and use either Get-SqlInstance or Invoke-Sqlcmd cmdlets to check your SQL Server version. You can also refer to the documentation of SqlServerDsc to see which versions of PowerShell and SQL Server are supported by each version of SqlServerDsc.

How to avoid the “Resource ‘SqlPermission’ not found” error?

To avoid encountering this error in future deployments, you can take some preventive measures to ensure that your Ansible tasks are robust and reliable. Here are some tips and best practices for using Ansible and PowerShell DSC for SQL Server administration:

• Use Ansible roles and collections to organize and reuse your tasks. Ansible roles are reusable units of configuration that can be applied to multiple servers or environments. Ansible collections are packages of roles, modules, plugins, and other components that can be shared and distributed. By using roles and collections, you can simplify your code, improve your consistency, and reduce your maintenance efforts.
• Use Ansible modules and plugins to interact with PowerShell DSC. Ansible provides several modules and plugins that can help you work with PowerShell DSC more easily and efficiently. For example, you can use the ansible.windows.win_dsc module to invoke a DSC configuration on a target server, or use the ansible.windows.win_psrepository_info module to get information about the PowerShell repositories on a target server. You can also use the ansible.windows.win_psmodule plugin to manage PowerShell modules on a target server.
• Use Ansible variables and facts to customize your tasks. Ansible variables are placeholders that can store and pass values between tasks. Ansible facts are information that Ansible gathers about the target servers, such as the operating system, the hostname, or the IP address. By using variables and facts, you can make your tasks more dynamic, flexible, and adaptable to different scenarios.
• Use Ansible handlers and notifications to trigger actions based on task results. Ansible handlers are special tasks that run only when notified by another task. Ansible notifications are messages that a task sends to a handler when it changes the state of a resource. By using handlers and notifications, you can perform actions such as restarting a service, reloading a configuration, or sending an email based on the outcome of your tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers related to using Ansible and PowerShell DSC for SQL Server administration:

Question: What are the benefits of using Ansible and PowerShell DSC for SQL Server administration?

Answer: Some of the benefits are:

• You can automate repetitive and tedious tasks, saving time and reducing errors.
• You can ensure consistency and compliance across multiple servers and environments, improving security and performance.
• You can leverage the existing knowledge and skills of PowerShell and SQL Server, enhancing productivity and collaboration.

Question: What are the challenges of using Ansible and PowerShell DSC for SQL Server administration?

Answer: Some of the challenges are:

• You need to learn how to use both technologies and how they work together, which might require some training and practice.
• You need to keep track of the versions and dependencies of the modules and resources you use, which might require some documentation and testing.
• You need to troubleshoot any errors or issues that might arise during the deployment or configuration process, which might require some debugging and logging.

Question: What are some alternatives to using Ansible and PowerShell DSC for SQL Server administration?

Answer: Some of the alternatives are:

• Using other configuration management tools, such as Chef, Puppet, or SaltStack, which might have different features or integrations with PowerShell or SQL Server.
• Using other scripting languages, such as Python, Ruby, or Bash, which might have different libraries or frameworks for working with PowerShell or SQL Server.
• Using manual methods, such as GUI tools, command-line tools, or SQL scripts, which might have different levels of control or flexibility over PowerShell or SQL Server.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The author is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the products or services mentioned in this blog post. The opinions expressed in this blog post are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of any organization or entity. The author makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this blog post. The author is not liable for any errors, omissions, losses, injuries, or damages arising from the display or use of this information. The reader is responsible for verifying the information in this blog post before applying it to their own situation.