MCSA Guide to Microsoft SQL Server 2012 - Question

An application developer has proposed using the xp_cmdshell procedure to move some files to a staging directory on a network drive. She has attempted to call this procedure from within her development environment but is receiving the following error message when executing the SQL query:

Msg 15123, Level 16, State 1, Procedure sp_configure, Line 51

The configuration option xp_cmdshell does not exist, or it may be an advanced option.

A junior database administrator looked into the issue, but he was unable to find the configuration option for this procedure within Object Explorer of SQL Server Management Studio. The issue has now been escalated to you. Both the developer and her project manager are anxious to resolve the problem due to a looming client deadline. Complete the following:

Using Books Online for SQL Server 2012 and other online resources, research the xp_cmdshell procedure and the error message described previously.

Describe the steps that you would take to configure the xp_cmdshell procedure.

Based upon your research, do you have any concern about enabling this option?

Write a brief summary of your research, focusing in particular on any security or resource considerations.