As a database administrator, I like automation. When it comes to my backups, I like to automate as much as possible. SQL Mail gives me the ability to know when my backups are successful and when they fail.

SQL Mail is a component of SQL Server that allows you to send mail. Some of its functions include the ability to send messages to an e-mail pager and to send results via the extended stored procedure (xp_sendmail).

SQL Mail allows you to send and receive e-mail by working side by side with a mail server. There are two services that handle SQL Mail with SQL Server 2000: MSSQLServer and SQLServerAgent. I am going to explain how to configure and take advantage of this hidden gem.

Setup

Before you configure SQL Mail, you will need to configure a mailbox, mail profile, and a Windows 2000 account to start SQL Server. If you are using Exchange, you need a domain account. If you are using a basic POP3/SMTP mail server, you need a local or domain account. For the purposes of this article, I will show you how to configure a POP3/SMTP mail server.

You will begin by creating an account on your domain that will be used to configure SQL Mail, as shown in Figure A.

Next, you need to log in to Windows with the newly created account. Once you are logged in, your next step is to start your MSSQLServer service and SQLServerAgent service.

In order to configure your MSSQLServer account to run under this newly created account, open Enterprise Manager from Start | Programs | Microsoft SQL Server | Enterprise Manager. Next, right-click on your SQL Server and choose Properties, as shown in Figure B, then choose the Security tab. Under the Startup Service Account, choose This Account and type the name of the account you created for use with SQL Mail.
Now that you have configured the MSSQLServer service account, you will need to configure the SQLServerAgent service account. In order to do this, expand SQL Server and Management, then right-click on SQL Server Agent and choose Properties (Figure C). On the General Page, enter the Service Startup Account by choosing This Account and enter the account name and password you created to start your SQLServerAgent service.

In Part II: Configuring SQL Mail, we will discuss configuring the outlook client. Stay Tuned!