Force a Target Server to Poll the Master Server

Applies to: SQL Server

Important

On Azure SQL Managed Instance, most, but not all SQL Server Agent features are currently supported. See Azure SQL Managed Instance T-SQL differences from SQL Server for details.

This article describes how to force a target server to poll the master server. The target server must be a registered server on the master server.

A job is a specified series of actions that SQL Server Agent performs. A multiserver job is a job that a master server runs on one or more target servers. Each target server can run one instance of the same job at the same time. Each target server periodically polls the master server, downloads a copy of any new jobs assigned to the target server, and then disconnects. The target server runs the job locally and then reconnects to the master server to upload the job outcome status.

Note

If the master server is inaccessible when the target server tries to upload job status, the job status is spooled until the master server can be accessed.

Before You Begin

Limitations and Restrictions

The target server must be a registered server on the master server. You must run the instructions given in this topic from the master server.

Security

For detailed information, see Implement SQL Server Agent Security and Choose the Right SQL Server Agent Service Account for Multiserver Environments.

Use SQL Server Management Studio

To force a target server to poll the master server

  1. In Object Explorer, expand the master server.

  2. Right-click SQL Server Agent, point to Multi Server Administration, and then select Manage Target Servers.

  3. Select a target server, and then select Force Poll.