AzureSQL Multiple Invoke-SQLCmd Loop and Connection Errors - powershell

Question

I am attempting to loop through an invoke-sqlcmd for multiple AzureSQL databases via Azure Automation. The first item in the loop executes, but the all the rest fail with a:
Invoke-Sqlcmd : A network-related or instance-specific error occurred
while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not
found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct
and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections.
(provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a
connection to SQL Server)
I am guessing that I need to close the connection from the first invoke-sqlcmd before executing the next, but have not found a direct method to accomplish that with invoke-sqlcmd. Here is my loop:
param(
# Parameters to Pass to PowerShell Scripts
[parameter(Mandatory=$true)][String] $azureSQLServerName = "myazuresql",
[parameter(Mandatory=$true)][String] $azureSQLCred = "myazureautosqlcred"
)
# DB Name Array
$dbnamearray = #("database1","database2","database3")
$dbnamearray
# Datatable Name
$tabName = "RunbookTable"
#Create Table object
$table = New-Object system.Data.DataTable "$tabName"
#Define Columns
$col1 = New-Object system.Data.DataColumn dbname,([string])
#Add the Columns
$table.columns.add($col1)
# Add Row and Values for dname Column
ForEach ($db in $dbnamearray)
{
$row = $table.NewRow()
$row.dbname = $db
#Add the row to the table
$table.Rows.Add($row)
}
#Display the table
$table | format-table -AutoSize
# Loop through the datatable using the values per column
$table | ForEach-Object {
# Set loop variables as these are easier to pass then $_.
$azureSQLDatabaseName = $_.dbname
# Execute SQL Query Against Azure SQL
$azureSQLServerName = $azureSQLServerName + ".database.windows.net"
$Cred = Get-AutomationPSCredential -Name $azureSQLCred
$SQLOutput = $(Invoke-Sqlcmd -ServerInstance $azureSQLServerName -Username $Cred.UserName -Password $Cred.GetNetworkCredential().Password -Database $azureSQLDatabaseName -Query "SELECT * FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES " -QueryTimeout 65535 -ConnectionTimeout 60 -Verbose) 4>&1
Write-Output $SQLOutput
}

Answer 1

You can try making each connection as a powershell job. This solved a very similar issue I had some time ago. Send-MailMessage closes every 2nd connection when using attachments If you want to read an explanation. Basically, if you're unable to use a .Close() method, you can force connections to close by terminating the entire session for each run. In an ideal world the cmdlet would handle all this for you, but not everything was created perfectly.
# Loop through the datatable using the values per column
$table | ForEach-Object {
# Set loop variables as these are easier to pass then $_.
$azureSQLDatabaseName = $_.dbname
# Execute SQL Query Against Azure SQL
$azureSQLServerName = $azureSQLServerName + ".database.windows.net"
$Cred = Get-AutomationPSCredential -Name $azureSQLCred
# Pass in the needed parameters via -ArgumentList and start the job.
Start-Job -ScriptBlock { Write-Output $(Invoke-Sqlcmd -ServerInstance $args[0] -Username $args[1].UserName -Password $args[1].GetNetworkCredential().Password -Database $args[0] -Query "SELECT * FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES " -QueryTimeout 65535 -ConnectionTimeout 60 -Verbose) 4>&1 } -ArgumentList $azureSQLServerName, $Cred | Wait-Job | Receive-Job
}
This is untested since I do not have a server to connect to, but perhaps with a bit of work you can make something out of it.

Answer 2

I faced the same issue previously while doing something with the database of azure sql. You can try this
1. Create Automation Account
New-AzureRmAutomationAccount -ResourceGroupName $resourceGroupName -Name $automationAccountName -Location $location
2. Set the Automation account to work with
Set-AzureRmAutomationAccount -Name $automationAccountName -ResourceGroupName $resourceGroupName
3. Create / Import a Runbook
Here we already have a runbook ready so we import it. Here's the runbook code
workflow runbookNameValue
{
inlinescript
{
$MasterDatabaseConnection = New-Object System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection
$MasterDatabaseConnection.ConnectionString = "ConnectionStringValue"
# Open connection to Master DB
$MasterDatabaseConnection.Open()
# Create command
$MasterDatabaseCommand = New-Object System.Data.SqlClient.SqlCommand
$MasterDatabaseCommand.Connection = $MasterDatabaseConnection
$MasterDatabaseCommand.CommandText = "Exec stored procedure"
# Execute the query
$MasterDatabaseCommand.ExecuteNonQuery()
# Close connection to Master DB
$MasterDatabaseConnection.Close()
}
}
4. Importing
Import-AzureRMAutomationRunbook -Name $runBookName -Path $scriptPath -ResourceGroupName $resourceGroupName -AutomationAccountName $automationAccountName -Type PowerShell
I hope this helps. Instead of using Invoke-Sqlcmd use the $MasterDatabaseCommand.ExecuteNonQuery() like i've provided in the runbook. It will work

Answer 3

It seems that you append .database.windows.net to the server name inside the loop. I guess that's why it works for the first iteration only.
Just move this line:
$azureSQLServerName = $azureSQLServerName + ".database.windows.net"
before this line:
$table | ForEach-Object {