Get-DbaDbAssembly

Synopsis

Retrieves CLR assemblies registered in SQL Server databases for security auditing and inventory management.

Description

Retrieves detailed information about Common Language Runtime (CLR) assemblies that have been registered in SQL Server databases. This function helps DBAs audit custom .NET assemblies for security compliance, track assembly versions, and identify potentially unsafe or unauthorized code deployed to their SQL Server instances. Returns key properties including assembly security level, owner, creation date, and version information across all accessible databases.

Syntax

Get-DbaDbAssembly
    [-SqlInstance] <DbaInstanceParameter[]>
    [[-SqlCredential] <PSCredential>]
    [[-Database] <String[]>]
    [[-Name] <String[]>]
    [-EnableException]
    [<CommonParameters>]

Examples

Example: 1

PS C:\> Get-DbaDbAssembly -SqlInstance localhost

Returns all Database Assembly on the local default SQL Server instance

Example: 2

PS C:\> Get-DbaDbAssembly -SqlInstance localhost, sql2016

Returns all Database Assembly for the local and sql2016 SQL Server instances

Example: 3

PS C:\> Get-DbaDbAssembly -SqlInstance Server1 -Database MyDb -Name MyTechCo.Houids.SQLCLR

Will fetch details for the MyTechCo.Houids.SQLCLR assembly in the MyDb Database on the Server1 instance

Required Parameters

-SqlInstance

The target SQL Server instance or instances. This can be a collection and receive pipeline input to allow the function
to be executed against multiple SQL Server instances.

Optional Parameters

-SqlCredential

Login to the target instance using alternative credentials. Accepts PowerShell credentials (Get-Credential).
Windows Authentication, SQL Server Authentication, Active Directory - Password, and Active Directory - Integrated are all supported.
For MFA support, please use Connect-DbaInstance.

-Database

Specifies which databases to scan for CLR assemblies. Accepts wildcards for pattern matching.
Use this when auditing assemblies in specific databases rather than scanning the entire instance.

-Name

Filters results to assemblies with matching names. Supports exact assembly name matching only.
Use this when investigating specific assemblies during security audits or troubleshooting CLR-related issues.

-EnableException

By default, when something goes wrong we try to catch it, interpret it and give you a friendly warning message.
This avoids overwhelming you with “sea of red” exceptions, but is inconvenient because it basically disables advanced scripting.
Using this switch turns this “nice by default” feature off and enables you to catch exceptions with your own try/catch.