DB24 Release Notes - Version 2026.2
Release Date: May 17, 2026
This release introduces Active Directory login integration, database-level metadata, Central Sync, and SQL Server 2025 compatibility, alongside meaningful improvements to connection handling, runtime reliability, and lifecycle visibility.
Key updates:
- Database Metadata with Tags and Key/Value pairs for richer classification and filtering
- Central Sync for automatic patch advisory and product version updates
- Active Directory (LDAP) login support for the Portal
- Improved connection and network sampling with minute-level resolution
- Dynamic Datastore-to-Runtime connections with per-instance configuration
- SQL Server 2025 compatibility across Runtime and Datastore
🌟 Spotlight: Connected Platform
DB24 2026.2 is about removing friction between DB24 and the infrastructure it monitors.
Central Sync keeps patch advisory data and product version information up to date automatically. Active Directory integration lets teams log in with their existing Windows credentials. Dynamic connection configuration gives you more control over how and where DB24 connects. And SQL Server 2025 compatibility ensures DB24 is ready for the next generation of the platform it was built around.
This release helps you:
- Stay current on patches and product updates without manual intervention
- Manage access using your organization's existing identity infrastructure
- Classify and filter databases with meaningful metadata
- Connect to monitored instances more flexibly and securely
➡️ New Features
Portal – Database Metadata
- Tags and Key/Value pairs are now available at the database level — previously only supported on instances
- New filter capabilities have been added to the Canvas for Key/Value pairs
- Improved Tag information display
- Enables richer classification, search, and reporting across your database estate
Central Sync
Central Sync automatically synchronizes information between Admin Central and customer Datastores.
- Central Sync is an opt-in feature
- SQL Server Builds and Patches: Up-to-date patch advisory data is synced to your Datastore, keeping the Patch Advisor report current
- DB24 Product Versions: New DB24 releases are highlighted in the Portal so you always know when an update is available
We strongly recommend enabling Central Sync in your DB24 Portal after upgrading.
Portal – Active Directory (LDAP) Login Integration
- Portal users can now also sign in using Windows Authentication via LDAP if configured
- Contact DB24 to set this up for your environment
Runtime – Improved Connection and Network Sampling
- Connection data is now sampled per day and measured every minute, providing a more accurate picture of connection activity over time
- Blocked session collection now also detects deadlocks
- Network pressure is calculated based on delta from the previous measurement instead of wait-based sampling
Datastore – Dynamic Runtime Connection Configuration
- The Datastore now supports flexible connection settings for communicating with Runtimes
- You can configure the OLE DB provider, connection settings, and authenticate using a SQL Login instead of the Agent service account
- Settings can be overridden on a per-instance basis for maximum control
SQL Server 2025 Compatibility
- DB24 has been validated and updated to run on SQL Server 2025
- Ensures DB24 is ready for the next major SQL Server version
Portal – Instance Performance Configuration Report
- New report in the Performance section showing each instance's performance-related configuration
- Covers CPU cores, max memory, MAXDOP, and other key settings at a glance
Portal – API Health Check Status Indicator on Login
- The login page now shows whether the Portal API can reach the DB24_MAC database
- Gives immediate visibility into backend connectivity before signing in
Runtime – Updated Index Fragmentation Thresholds
- Index maintenance thresholds now align with Microsoft's recommendations
- Reorganize: ≥ 5% fragmentation (previously 45–69%)
- Rebuild: ≥ 30% fragmentation (previously ≥ 75%)
Notifications – Database State in Monthly Briefs
- Monthly Briefs now include a dedicated column showing the database state (Online / Offline) for each database engagement
Datastore – AiQ Enhancements
- Reviewed and updated existing parameters including MAXDOP, Encrypted Remote Connections, and Excessive Sysadmin Logins
- Removed obsolete parameters: SQL Mail Enabled, Backup Compression, Unlicensed or Non-Production SQL Instances
- Two new parameters added:
- Authentication Protocol: Flags instances using NTLM
- TDE Certificate Expiry: Monitors certificates approaching or past their expiry date
Installer – Improved Feedback on Runtime Connection Validation
- The installer now surfaces specific failure reasons (e.g. disabled or locked-out logins) when Runtime connection validation fails
- Makes it easier to diagnose and resolve connection issues during setup
🐞 Bug Fixes
Runtime – Update Statistics Failure on Altered Objects
- Fixed a failure where statistics maintenance could crash if the target object had been altered or dropped during execution
Runtime – Collation Conflict in DBUsers Collection
- Fixed a collation conflict that prevented the DBUsers collection from completing
Runtime – Single DB Execution in Backup Maintenance
- Single-database backup selection now filters on database name instead of DB_ID, preventing issues when databases are dropped and recreated
Portal – Exclude Decommissioned Instances
- Decommissioned instances are now correctly excluded from Portal views and listings
Datastore – Lifecycle Advisor Display Fix
- Instances are now always listed in the Patch Advisor report, even when no build information is available
🧭 Summary
DB24 2026.2 is an integration-focused release that makes DB24 more connected, more flexible, and more future-ready.
With Active Directory authentication, Central Sync, database-level metadata, dynamic connection configuration, and SQL Server 2025 compatibility, the Connected Platform Update opens DB24 to the systems and workflows around it — while delivering a strong set of reliability fixes across the board.