How to create a new maintenance template

Template Configuration

1. Select a Template Name

Choose a unique and meaningful name for the template to ensure easy identification and organization.

2. Choose Template Type

1. Regular Template:
   • Applicable for all MSSQL editions except Express Edition.
   • Rules in regular templates are implemented as MSSQL jobs.
2. Express Template:
   • Designed specifically for MSSQL Express Edition.
   • Rules in express templates are implemented as Windows Task Scheduler jobs.
3. Key Difference: Regular templates use MSSQL jobs, while express templates rely on Windows task scheduling.

3. Mark as Favorite

1. Highlight frequently used templates by marking them as favorites.
2. A star icon will appear next to the template name for quick Example: ★

Editing a maintenace template rule

Rule Editing Levels

1. Summary and Include/Exclude Tab

1. The first level of editing involves accessing the Summary and Include/Exclude tabs for each rule.
2. Use this level to review rule settings and manage database inclusion or exclusion.

2. Detailed Rule Configuration

1. The second level allows for in-depth configuration of the rule.
2. From the open tab, press the Configure Rule button to navigate to the corresponding Rule Wizard, where advanced options can be customized.

Attaching or removing servers from your maintenance template

Maintenance Template Management

1. Navigate Between Affiliated Servers and Rules
Seamlessly switch between the list of affiliated servers and the configured rules in the maintenance template \ custom view for streamlined management.

2. Add Server Button
a. Opens the Select Servers Dialog (displayed on the right), allowing you to add or remove servers from the template.
b. Important:

• If a server is removed, all its linked rules will also be removed.
• Unlinked or custom rules will remain and be converted to custom rules.

3. View and Manage Attached Servers
a. View a comprehensive list of servers attached to the template.
b. Remove a single server by clicking the X icon next to its name.

Including or excluding specific rules from your maintenance template

Include/Exclude Rules in Maintenance

•    Template Level:

Exclude or include specific servers from a rule. For instance, if a template is attached to 20 servers, you can exclude a specific server from having that rule applied.

•    Custom Server Level:

Similar functionality applies to databases. Include or exclude specific databases from a rule on the custom server level.

•    Steps to Include/Exclude a Rule:

1. Locate the desired rule and click the Edit Rule button.
2. Navigate to the Include/Exclude tab.
3. Select the Include or Exclude operation.
4. On the right side of the screen, choose from the list of servers or databases to apply the operation.

Understanding the difference between “linked” \ “Unlinked” \ “Customized”

Server Rule Statuses

A server rule may have one of the following four statuses:

1. Linked
   a. The server is attached to a template, and the rule is inherited exactly as configured in the template.
   b. Behavior:
   • If the server is detached from the template, all linked rules will be removed from the server.
2. Unlinked
   a. The server is attached to a template, but the rule has been modified or customized for the specific server (e.g., changes to the rule schedule or parameters).
   b. Behavior:
   • An unlinked rule can be reset to match the template configuration.
   • If the server is detached from the template, an unlinked rule becomes a custom rule.
3. Custom Rule
   a. A rule created specifically for the server.
   b. Behavior:
   • Custom rules are independent and can exist whether or not the server is attached to a template.
4. Excluded
   The rule exists in the attached template but has been specifically excluded for this server.

How to customize maintenance rules for your server

At Experda, we recommend utilizing server templates as they streamline the management of multiple instances by providing a centralized configuration. However, we understand that specific customization is sometimes unavoidable.

Customizing a Specific Server:

1. Switch to the Custom Setup view within the maintenance template view.
2. The Custom Setup view is nearly identical to the template view but allows for more granular control.
   • Add new custom backup or optimization rules specific to the server.
   • Edit an existing linked template rule to unlink it and customize it according to your server’s unique requirements.

This approach ensures flexibility while maintaining the efficiency and structure provided by templates.