Azure PostgreSQL Flexible Server – Slow Start/Stop & HTTP 500 Errors

Question

I am experiencing issues with my Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server. The instance is taking a very long time to start and stop, and I frequently encounter HTTP 500 Internal Server Errors when attempting these actions through the Azure Portal.

"An unexpected error occurred while processing the request."

Tracking ID: 32d2e496-4986-4dcc-a92b-5a2c9ee093a7

The Azure DevTools console logs also show API failures with Microsoft_Azure_OSSDatabases and "SqlPortalServerError".

Recent Changes

1. The highAvailability.state changed from NotEnabled to <None> in recent updates.
2. Unsure if this could be affecting the instance behavior.

Answer 1

Hi @Osama Khan,

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A Platform! Thank you for asking your question here.

As we understand that, you are encountering issues with your Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server, including prolonged start and stop times and HTTP 500 Internal Server Errors in the Azure Portal.

Please follow the steps outlined below to troubleshoot the issue.

• HighAvailability.state Change: You have observed that the highAvailability.state has changed from NotEnabled to <None>. This transition suggests that the high availability (HA) configuration may have been altered or disabled. Disabling HA can impact the server's fault tolerance and failover capabilities. It is important to ensure that your HA settings are aligned with your application's requirements. For detailed guidance on configuring HA, please refer to the official documentation. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/postgresql/flexible-server/how-to-configure-high-availability?tabs=portal-enable-existing-server%2Cportal-disable-existing-server%2Cportal-enable-new-server%2Cportal-forced-failover%2Cportal-planned-failover
• Prolonged Start and Stop Times: Extended durations during start and stop operations can result from various factors, including the server's size, active connections, or underlying maintenance activities. To mitigate this:
  1. Monitor Server Activity: Before initiating start or stop operations, ensure there are no long-running queries or active connections that could delay the process.
  2. Check for Maintenance Events: Azure occasionally performs maintenance that might affect server availability. Review the Azure Service Health Dashboard for any ongoing events in your region. https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/get-started/azure-portal/service-health
• HTTP 500 Internal Server Errors: Encountering HTTP 500 errors when managing your server through the Azure Portal suggests potential issues with the portal's backend services or transient problems. To address this:
  1. Retry the Operation: Often, these errors are temporary. Waiting a few moments and attempting the operation again might resolve the issue.
  2. Check for Portal Issues: Sometimes, the Azure Portal itself may experience problems. You can verify this by visiting the Azure Status Page to see if there are any reported issues. https://azure.status.microsoft/en-gb/status
  3. Use Alternative Management Tools: If the portal continues to present issues, consider using the Azure CLI or Azure PowerShell to manage your PostgreSQL server. These tools can offer more stability and control. For instance, to start or stop your server using Azure CLI:

# To stop the server
az postgres flexible-server stop --resource-group <YourResourceGroup> --name <YourServerName>
# To start the server
az postgres flexible-server start --resource-group <YourResourceGroup> --name <YourServerName>

• Considering the changes in your HA configuration, it is crucial to monitor the health status of your HA setup. Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server provides a High Availability Health Status Monitoring feature that offers valuable insights into the health of HA-enabled instances. This feature also notifies you of events that might impact connectivity and availability. For detailed information on configuring and utilizing this feature, please refer to the official documentation. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/postgresql/flexible-server/how-to-monitor-high-availability

I hope, This response will address your query and helped you to overcome on your challenges.

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