Notification Server stopped working with error: A critical error occurred and it is referencing the ‘STRING_SPLIT’ object name

Products

• IT Management Suite
• Client Management Suite

Issue/Introduction

According to the customer, no changes were done but the SMP (Symantec Management Platform or Notification Server) server just stopped processing anything.  NSEs are backing up and no clients are connected to the SMP.

The following error is consistently showing on in the NS logs:

Error: A critical error occurred and it is referencing the ‘STRING_SPLIT’ object name

Environment

ITMS 8.x

Cause

The SQL 'STRING_SPLIT' function needs SQL database compatibility level 130 or greater, according to Microsoft.  Level 130 may be SQL 2016.

It could be DBA's lowering the Compatibility Level without telling the Application users.

Resolution

1. Verify/Check your compatibility level and SQL Version by running these SQL commands:

   SELECT compatibility_level 
   FROM sys.databases 
   WHERE name='Symantec_CMDB'

   select @@VERSION

2. Contact the SQL DBA's and ask them to raise the Compatibility Level to 130 or greater.