60 minutes to shut down sql server service?
It shouldn't take 60 minutes to shutdown the server. As you mentioned, the DBA is performing a pause before shutting down - this is probably the major contributor to the slow shutdown.

Unless he's planning to resume the database, there isn't normally reason to pause. Removing this step from the procedure should cut down a significant portion of the 60 minutes.

Here is an example of a log that shows a pause followed by a shutdown.

The pause begins at:

SQL Server IS NOT allowing NEW connections because the Service Control Manager
requested a pause. TO resume the service&lt;c/&gt; USE SQL Computer Manager OR the Services
application IN Control Panel.


And the shutdown sequence begins with:

SQL Server IS terminating IN response TO a 'stop' request FROM Service Control
Manager. This IS an informational message ONLY. No USER action IS required.


Check with the DBA first though, to make sure there isn't a specialized case that necessitates the pause.