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sql-serverazure-virtual-machinepolybasesql-server-2019

Polybase doesn't create external file format

I get the good old

Incorrect syntax near 'EXTERNAL'.

error. I am exactly doing what this answer describes. But SQL Server returns the aforementioned error when I come to this code-chunk:

CREATE EXTERNAL FILE FORMAT csvformat 
WITH ( 
    FORMAT_TYPE = DELIMITEDTEXT, 
    FORMAT_OPTIONS (FIELD_TERMINATOR =',') 
);
GO

What am I doing wrong?

What I tried

  • Java runtime environment is installed (Java 8 Update 201)
  • PolyBase is installed with "PolyBase Query Service for External Data"
  • I enabled PolyBase with EXEC sp_configure 'hadoop connectivity', 4;. I also set that option to 1 and 7 - I still get that error
  • Using EXEC sp_configure, I also set 'polybase enabled' to 1
  • I checked SELECT SERVERPROPERTY ('IsPolybaseInstalled') AS IsPolybaseInstalled; - it returns 1
  • My TCP is enabled
  • My PolyBase is running:

enter image description here Setup: SQL Server 2019 on a Virtual Machine (Azure), no Azure SQL Server or Azure DWH.

Solution

  • Perhaps too simple answer, but can you restart entire virtual server and try it again?

    Update: Reboot of the server/service after installation of Polybase is not stated in the documentation, also not requested by the installer, however plenty of messages on user boards tell that it is required to make Polybase work.