SQL Snapper - Minimum files required to work on client machine

Redshift

During yesterday's webinar SQLSnapper was mentioned. I've used SQL Compare for nigh on 10 years and had never heard of it but it sounds like the ideal tool for us to do a confidence check on a schema once an upgrade has been performed to ensure it matches the expected schema.

I have found an article from 2014 that refers to the files that need to be copied to the client machine from the SQL Compare folder on my own PC. The article mentions System.Threading.dll but that dll isn't in the SQL Compare 14 folder.

I tried copying Redgate.SQLSnapper.exe, RedGate.SOCCompareInterface.dll & System.Threading.Tasks.Dataflow.dll to see if that would work but that just results in a system.io exception that referred to .netstandard 2.0
The cleint's machine is running Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter edition.

Can someone please advise what the pre-requisites are for the machine that I want SQLSnapper to run on and the exact files that should be copied for the version supplied with SQL Compare 14

DanC

Hi @Redshift

I created a bug report for this as it appears the files aren't being shipped, the devs have added it to their board and will be giving it a review, I'll keep you posted on any updates!

Redshift

Hi @DanC

As the tool was mentioned in the recent webinar I hope the files are shipped in the next available update.
This tool will be immensely useful to us when verifying the schema at client sites.
Is the use of this utility mentioned anywhere in the documentation?

DanC

Hi @Redshift

This is the only documentation/article I can find related to SQL Snapper - https://www.red-gate.com/simple-talk/blogs/compare-those-hard-to-reach-servers-with-sql-snapper/

Redshift

Hi @DanC

That's the article I'd found that told us the files that were needed but didn't work for SQL Compare 14

DanC

Hi @Redshift

That's due to the issue I mentioned of the files not being shipped, the team are looking into it and so I'll keep you updated.

Redshift

Hi @DanC

Thanks Dan, I look forward to trying it out.

DanC

Hi @Redshift

The developers mentioned it would be easier to copy the entire SQL Compare install directory in order for SQL Snapper to work.

Hope this helps!

Redshift

Hi @DanC

I've just tried that on the client machine but it doesn't work as that machine doesn't have .Net Standard 2.0 installed.

This would be an invaluable tool if it had its own self contained installation utility

DanC

Hi @Redshift

You don't install .NET Standard, you can install .NET Framework 4.7.2 that implements it, which is on the requirements page for SQL Compare

Hope that clarifies things!

tdennis

@DanC
I copied the whole SQL Compare folder to another folder on my same machine and it still throws Object not found errors. It doesn't even work running from inside the SQL Compare installation folder. 

> redgate.sqlsnapper.exe

SQL Snapper V14.5.22.19589

==============================================================================

Copyright © Red Gate Software Ltd 1999-2021

Registering sqltest._source_redgate

Saving Database To Snapshot

Finished FAILED

Unexpected error: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

RedGate.Legacy.CommandLine.FatalExecutionException

   at RedGate.SQLCompare.SQLSnapper.SnapperCommandProcessor.Run()

   at RedGate.SQLCompare.SQLSnapper.Program.Main(String[] args)

DanC

Hi @tdennis

Would you be able to contact us at productsupport@red-gate.com with this issue?

tdennis

I have, it's ticket https://productsupport.red-gate.com/hc/requests/260283