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📄 Contents

  1. SQL Server Reference Guide
  2. Introduction
  3. SQL Server Reference Guide Overview
  4. Table of Contents
  5. Microsoft SQL Server Defined
  6. SQL Server Editions
  7. SQL Server Access
  8. Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
  9. Online Resources
  10. Microsoft SQL Server Features
  11. SQL Server Books Online
  12. Clustering Services
  13. Data Transformation Services (DTS) Overview
  14. Replication Services
  15. Database Mirroring
  16. Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  17. Analysis Services
  18. Microsot SQL Server Reporting Services
  19. XML Overview
  20. Notification Services for the DBA
  21. Full-Text Search
  22. SQL Server 2005 - Service Broker
  23. Using SQL Server as a Web Service
  24. SQL Server Encryption Options Overview
  25. SQL Server 2008 Overview
  26. SQL Server 2008 R2 Overview
  27. SQL Azure
  28. The Utility Control Point and Data Application Component, Part 1
  29. The Utility Control Point and Data Application Component, Part 2
  30. Microsoft SQL Server Administration
  31. The DBA Survival Guide: The 10 Minute SQL Server Overview
  32. Preparing (or Tuning) a Windows System for SQL Server, Part 1
  33. Preparing (or Tuning) a Windows System for SQL Server, Part 2
  34. Installing SQL Server
  35. Upgrading SQL Server
  36. SQL Server 2000 Management Tools
  37. SQL Server 2005 Management Tools
  38. SQL Server 2008 Management Tools
  39. SQL Azure Tools
  40. Automating Tasks with SQL Server Agent
  41. Run Operating System Commands in SQL Agent using PowerShell
  42. Automating Tasks Without SQL Server Agent
  43. Storage – SQL Server I/O
  44. Service Packs, Hotfixes and Cumulative Upgrades
  45. Tracking SQL Server Information with Error and Event Logs
  46. Change Management
  47. SQL Server Metadata, Part One
  48. SQL Server Meta-Data, Part Two
  49. Monitoring - SQL Server 2005 Dynamic Views and Functions
  50. Monitoring - Performance Monitor
  51. Unattended Performance Monitoring for SQL Server
  52. Monitoring - User-Defined Performance Counters
  53. Monitoring: SQL Server Activity Monitor
  54. SQL Server Instances
  55. DBCC Commands
  56. SQL Server and Mail
  57. Database Maintenance Checklist
  58. The Maintenance Wizard: SQL Server 2000 and Earlier
  59. The Maintenance Wizard: SQL Server 2005 (SP2) and Later
  60. The Web Assistant Wizard
  61. Creating Web Pages from SQL Server
  62. SQL Server Security
  63. Securing the SQL Server Platform, Part 1
  64. Securing the SQL Server Platform, Part 2
  65. SQL Server Security: Users and other Principals
  66. SQL Server Security – Roles
  67. SQL Server Security: Objects (Securables)
  68. Security: Using the Command Line
  69. SQL Server Security - Encrypting Connections
  70. SQL Server Security: Encrypting Data
  71. SQL Server Security Audit
  72. High Availability - SQL Server Clustering
  73. SQL Server Configuration, Part 1
  74. SQL Server Configuration, Part 2
  75. Database Configuration Options
  76. 32- vs 64-bit Computing for SQL Server
  77. SQL Server and Memory
  78. Performance Tuning: Introduction to Indexes
  79. Statistical Indexes
  80. Backup and Recovery
  81. Backup and Recovery Examples, Part One
  82. Backup and Recovery Examples, Part Two: Transferring Databases to Another System (Even Without Backups)
  83. SQL Profiler - Reverse Engineering An Application
  84. SQL Trace
  85. SQL Server Alerts
  86. Files and Filegroups
  87. Partitioning
  88. Full-Text Indexes
  89. Read-Only Data
  90. SQL Server Locks
  91. Monitoring Locking and Deadlocking
  92. Controlling Locks in SQL Server
  93. SQL Server Policy-Based Management, Part One
  94. SQL Server Policy-Based Management, Part Two
  95. SQL Server Policy-Based Management, Part Three
  96. Microsoft SQL Server Programming
  97. An Outline for Development
  98. Database
  99. Database Services
  100. Database Objects: Databases
  101. Database Objects: Tables
  102. Database Objects: Table Relationships
  103. Database Objects: Keys
  104. Database Objects: Constraints
  105. Database Objects: Data Types
  106. Database Objects: Views
  107. Database Objects: Stored Procedures
  108. Database Objects: Indexes
  109. Database Objects: User Defined Functions
  110. Database Objects: Triggers
  111. Database Design: Requirements, Entities, and Attributes
  112. Business Process Model Notation (BPMN) and the Data Professional
  113. Business Questions for Database Design, Part One
  114. Business Questions for Database Design, Part Two
  115. Database Design: Finalizing Requirements and Defining Relationships
  116. Database Design: Creating an Entity Relationship Diagram
  117. Database Design: The Logical ERD
  118. Database Design: Adjusting The Model
  119. Database Design: Normalizing the Model
  120. Creating The Physical Model
  121. Database Design: Changing Attributes to Columns
  122. Database Design: Creating The Physical Database
  123. Database Design Example: Curriculum Vitae
  124. NULLs
  125. The SQL Server Sample Databases
  126. The SQL Server Sample Databases: pubs
  127. The SQL Server Sample Databases: NorthWind
  128. The SQL Server Sample Databases: AdventureWorks
  129. The SQL Server Sample Databases: Adventureworks Derivatives
  130. UniversalDB: The Demo and Testing Database, Part 1
  131. UniversalDB: The Demo and Testing Database, Part 2
  132. UniversalDB: The Demo and Testing Database, Part 3
  133. UniversalDB: The Demo and Testing Database, Part 4
  134. Getting Started with Transact-SQL
  135. Transact-SQL: Data Definition Language (DDL) Basics
  136. Transact-SQL: Limiting Results
  137. Transact-SQL: More Operators
  138. Transact-SQL: Ordering and Aggregating Data
  139. Transact-SQL: Subqueries
  140. Transact-SQL: Joins
  141. Transact-SQL: Complex Joins - Building a View with Multiple JOINs
  142. Transact-SQL: Inserts, Updates, and Deletes
  143. An Introduction to the CLR in SQL Server 2005
  144. Design Elements Part 1: Programming Flow Overview, Code Format and Commenting your Code
  145. Design Elements Part 2: Controlling SQL's Scope
  146. Design Elements Part 3: Error Handling
  147. Design Elements Part 4: Variables
  148. Design Elements Part 5: Where Does The Code Live?
  149. Design Elements Part 6: Math Operators and Functions
  150. Design Elements Part 7: Statistical Functions
  151. Design Elements Part 8: Summarization Statistical Algorithms
  152. Design Elements Part 9:Representing Data with Statistical Algorithms
  153. Design Elements Part 10: Interpreting the Data—Regression
  154. Design Elements Part 11: String Manipulation
  155. Design Elements Part 12: Loops
  156. Design Elements Part 13: Recursion
  157. Design Elements Part 14: Arrays
  158. Design Elements Part 15: Event-Driven Programming Vs. Scheduled Processes
  159. Design Elements Part 16: Event-Driven Programming
  160. Design Elements Part 17: Program Flow
  161. Forming Queries Part 1: Design
  162. Forming Queries Part 2: Query Basics
  163. Forming Queries Part 3: Query Optimization
  164. Forming Queries Part 4: SET Options
  165. Forming Queries Part 5: Table Optimization Hints
  166. Using SQL Server Templates
  167. Transact-SQL Unit Testing
  168. Index Tuning Wizard
  169. Unicode and SQL Server
  170. SQL Server Development Tools
  171. The SQL Server Transact-SQL Debugger
  172. The Transact-SQL Debugger, Part 2
  173. Basic Troubleshooting for Transact-SQL Code
  174. An Introduction to Spatial Data in SQL Server 2008
  175. Performance Tuning
  176. Performance Tuning SQL Server: Tools and Processes
  177. Performance Tuning SQL Server: Tools Overview
  178. Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Defining Components
  179. Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Evaluation Part One
  180. Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Evaluation Part Two
  181. Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Interpretation
  182. Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Developing an Action Plan
  183. Understanding SQL Server Query Plans
  184. Performance Tuning: Implementing Indexes
  185. Performance Monitoring Tools: Windows 2008 (and Higher) Server Utilities, Part 1
  186. Performance Monitoring Tools: Windows 2008 (and Higher) Server Utilities, Part 2
  187. Performance Monitoring Tools: Windows System Monitor
  188. Performance Monitoring Tools: Logging with System Monitor
  189. Performance Monitoring Tools: User Defined Counters
  190. General Transact-SQL (T-SQL) Performance Tuning, Part 1
  191. General Transact-SQL (T-SQL) Performance Tuning, Part 2
  192. General Transact-SQL (T-SQL) Performance Tuning, Part 3
  193. Performance Monitoring Tools: An Introduction to SQL Profiler
  194. Performance Tuning: Introduction to Indexes
  195. Performance Monitoring Tools: SQL Server 2000 Index Tuning Wizard
  196. Performance Monitoring Tools: SQL Server 2005 Database Tuning Advisor
  197. Performance Monitoring Tools: SQL Server Management Studio Reports
  198. Performance Monitoring Tools: SQL Server 2008 Activity Monitor
  199. The SQL Server 2008 Management Data Warehouse and Data Collector
  200. Performance Monitoring Tools: Evaluating Wait States with PowerShell and Excel
  201. Practical Applications
  202. Choosing the Back End
  203. The DBA's Toolbox, Part 1
  204. The DBA's Toolbox, Part 2
  205. Scripting Solutions for SQL Server
  206. Building a SQL Server Lab
  207. Using Graphics Files with SQL Server
  208. Enterprise Resource Planning
  209. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
  210. Building a Reporting Data Server
  211. Building a Database Documenter, Part 1
  212. Building a Database Documenter, Part 2
  213. Data Management Objects
  214. Data Management Objects: The Server Object
  215. Data Management Objects: Server Object Methods
  216. Data Management Objects: Collections and the Database Object
  217. Data Management Objects: Database Information
  218. Data Management Objects: Database Control
  219. Data Management Objects: Database Maintenance
  220. Data Management Objects: Logging the Process
  221. Data Management Objects: Running SQL Statements
  222. Data Management Objects: Multiple Row Returns
  223. Data Management Objects: Other Database Objects
  224. Data Management Objects: Security
  225. Data Management Objects: Scripting
  226. Powershell and SQL Server - Overview
  227. PowerShell and SQL Server - Objects and Providers
  228. Powershell and SQL Server - A Script Framework
  229. Powershell and SQL Server - Logging the Process
  230. Powershell and SQL Server - Reading a Control File
  231. Powershell and SQL Server - SQL Server Access
  232. Powershell and SQL Server - Web Pages from a SQL Query
  233. Powershell and SQL Server - Scrubbing the Event Logs
  234. SQL Server 2008 PowerShell Provider
  235. SQL Server I/O: Importing and Exporting Data
  236. SQL Server I/O: XML in Database Terms
  237. SQL Server I/O: Creating XML Output
  238. SQL Server I/O: Reading XML Documents
  239. SQL Server I/O: Using XML Control Mechanisms
  240. SQL Server I/O: Creating Hierarchies
  241. SQL Server I/O: Using HTTP with SQL Server XML
  242. SQL Server I/O: Using HTTP with SQL Server XML Templates
  243. SQL Server I/O: Remote Queries
  244. SQL Server I/O: Working with Text Files
  245. Using Microsoft SQL Server on Handheld Devices
  246. Front-Ends 101: Microsoft Access
  247. Comparing Two SQL Server Databases
  248. English Query - Part 1
  249. English Query - Part 2
  250. English Query - Part 3
  251. English Query - Part 4
  252. English Query - Part 5
  253. RSS Feeds from SQL Server
  254. Using SQL Server Agent to Monitor Backups
  255. Reporting Services - Creating a Maintenance Report
  256. SQL Server Chargeback Strategies, Part 1
  257. SQL Server Chargeback Strategies, Part 2
  258. SQL Server Replication Example
  259. Creating a Master Agent and Alert Server
  260. The SQL Server Central Management System: Definition
  261. The SQL Server Central Management System: Base Tables
  262. The SQL Server Central Management System: Execution of Server Information (Part 1)
  263. The SQL Server Central Management System: Execution of Server Information (Part 2)
  264. The SQL Server Central Management System: Collecting Performance Metrics
  265. The SQL Server Central Management System: Centralizing Agent Jobs, Events and Scripts
  266. The SQL Server Central Management System: Reporting the Data and Project Summary
  267. Time Tracking for SQL Server Operations
  268. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server
  269. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Model the System
  270. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Model the System, Continued
  271. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Decide on the Destination
  272. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Design the ETL
  273. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Design the ETL, Continued
  274. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Attach the Front End, Test, and Monitor
  275. Tracking SQL Server Timed Events, Part 1
  276. Tracking SQL Server Timed Events, Part 2
  277. Patterns and Practices for the Data Professional
  278. Managing Vendor Databases
  279. Consolidation Options
  280. Connecting to a SQL Azure Database from Microsoft Access
  281. SharePoint 2007 and SQL Server, Part One
  282. SharePoint 2007 and SQL Server, Part Two
  283. SharePoint 2007 and SQL Server, Part Three
  284. Querying Multiple Data Sources from a Single Location (Distributed Queries)
  285. Importing and Exporting Data for SQL Azure
  286. Working on Distributed Teams
  287. Professional Development
  288. Becoming a DBA
  289. Certification
  290. DBA Levels
  291. Becoming a Data Professional
  292. SQL Server Professional Development Plan, Part 1
  293. SQL Server Professional Development Plan, Part 2
  294. SQL Server Professional Development Plan, Part 3
  295. Evaluating Technical Options
  296. System Sizing
  297. Creating a Disaster Recovery Plan
  298. Anatomy of a Disaster (Response Plan)
  299. Database Troubleshooting
  300. Conducting an Effective Code Review
  301. Developing an Exit Strategy
  302. Data Retention Strategy
  303. Keeping Your DBA/Developer Job in Troubled Times
  304. The SQL Server Runbook
  305. Creating and Maintaining a SQL Server Configuration History, Part 1
  306. Creating and Maintaining a SQL Server Configuration History, Part 2
  307. Creating an Application Profile, Part 1
  308. Creating an Application Profile, Part 2
  309. How to Attend a Technical Conference
  310. Tips for Maximizing Your IT Budget This Year
  311. The Importance of Blue-Sky Planning
  312. Application Architecture Assessments
  313. Transact-SQL Code Reviews, Part One
  314. Transact-SQL Code Reviews, Part Two
  315. Cloud Computing (Distributed Computing) Paradigms
  316. NoSQL for the SQL Server Professional, Part One
  317. NoSQL for the SQL Server Professional, Part Two
  318. Object-Role Modeling (ORM) for the Database Professional
  319. Business Intelligence
  320. BI Explained
  321. Developing a Data Dictionary
  322. BI Security
  323. Gathering BI Requirements
  324. Source System Extracts and Transforms
  325. ETL Mechanisms
  326. Business Intelligence Landscapes
  327. Business Intelligence Layouts and the Build or Buy Decision
  328. A Single Version of the Truth
  329. The Operational Data Store (ODS)
  330. Data Marts – Combining and Transforming Data
  331. Designing Data Elements
  332. The Enterprise Data Warehouse — Aggregations and the Star Schema
  333. On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP)
  334. Data Mining
  335. Key Performance Indicators
  336. BI Presentation - Client Tools
  337. BI Presentation - Portals
  338. Implementing ETL - Introduction to SQL Server 2005 Integration Services
  339. Building a Business Intelligence Solution, Part 1
  340. Building a Business Intelligence Solution, Part 2
  341. Building a Business Intelligence Solution, Part 3
  342. Tips and Troubleshooting
  343. SQL Server and Microsoft Excel Integration
  344. Tips for the SQL Server Tools: SQL Server 2000
  345. Tips for the SQL Server Tools – SQL Server 2005
  346. Transaction Log Troubles
  347. SQL Server Connection Problems
  348. Orphaned Database Users
  349. Additional Resources
  350. Tools and Downloads
  351. Utilities (Free)
  352. Tool Review (Free): DBDesignerFork
  353. Aqua Data Studio
  354. Microsoft SQL Server Best Practices Analyzer
  355. Utilities (Cost)
  356. Quest Software's TOAD for SQL Server
  357. Quest Software's Spotlight on SQL Server
  358. SQL Server on Microsoft's Virtual PC
  359. Red Gate SQL Bundle
  360. Microsoft's Visio for Database Folks
  361. Quest Capacity Manager
  362. SQL Server Help
  363. Visual Studio Team Edition for Database Professionals
  364. Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator
  365. Aggregating Server Data from the MAPS Tool

Before you can make changes to the system you're working on to improve performance, you need a method to track and record changes in the objects involved. This is part of the second phase of the performance tuning process, where you evaluate the system's components.

There are two times when you need to monitor your systems. The first is when the system is first installed, or if that isn't possible during a time when the system is performing acceptably. This measurement is called a "baseline". It's the point to which you'll compare your measurements when the system isn't performing as well, which is the second time you will need to monitor your system.

You should also measure the system on a periodic basis so that you know when something has changed and could potentially become an issue. Monitoring also helps you prevent performance problems, alerting you to a bottleneck before the users feel it.

There are several tools you can use to monitor SQL Server, including SQL Profiler, various Transact-SQL statements, and even third-party tools such as Quest Software’s Spotlight on SQL Server. The tool used most often, however, is the Windows System Monitor. This tool is often referred to as the Performance Monitor, since that's what it was called in older versions of Microsoft operating systems.

The System Monitor is actually a reader for "hooks" built into various Windows programs. These hooks publish various parts of a program, called objects, and the things those objects do, called counters. Using System Monitor, you can watch those counters in real time, or even capture them to a log for later examination. System Monitor also contains a facility to watch objects and counters and take an action based on a value you specify.

The System Monitor works in an interesting way. It reads several specialized registry entries, usually once a second. Applications can write values to these registry entries, which then show up in the tool. Each item that writes a value is called an object, and within the objects are counters. For instance, the CPU is an object, and it has several counters, one of which is called % Utilization. The value for that counter represents the current percentage of the processor that is in use. In addition to objects and counters, System Monitor also has instances. You may have several CPU's in a server, and each one reports values independently. Each CPU, in that case, is an instance. This has great bearing on systems such as SQL Server, since it can parallelize queries across multiple processors. By watching their percentage of utilization during a query run that you think should be parallelizing, you can determine what is happening.

It’s important to be able to use this tool effectively. While you should know how to use the tool, it’s equally important to know why to use it, when to use it, and what to use it for. Before you begin monitoring, you should be familiar with general computer architecture, how Windows uses that architecture, and what the developer that wrote the objects and counters intended to show before you take a stand on the results of the metrics.

It might seem that this tool would solve all of your performance tuning issues. While there are times when you can definitively say "if this object’s counter is X, then Y is the issue", it’s usually not so. Even when it’s usually true, there are exceptions. There is simply no substitute for understanding the theory behind the number you are looking at. You'll need to evaluate several objects and counters to zero in on a problem.

Let's take a look at the tool. From the Administrative Tools menu item in the Windows Start button on your test server, select the Performance item. Once the tool is opened, you’re placed in the Current Activity view. Depending on your operating system, a few counters may already be loaded. Clicking the plus sign in the tool bar brings up a panel that allows you to set the system you wish to monitor, and shows the objects that you can select from. The objects are dependent on the software and patches installed on the system you’re monitoring.

Once you’ve selected an object, you can select the counters that are associated with that object. There are two variables per counter. One is that you can select all counters per object. Unless you really need all counters within an object, it’s usually best not to use this feature. The other option is the instances I mentioned earlier. You can monitor the counters for each of these objects separately or collectively by making a selection in this option. As I mentioned before, it’s important to understand the object you’re looking at to determine which option to choose.

As a general operating procedure, I usually suggest that you add several objects, and then remove them as they conform to expected values. You can then "drill in" to the objects and counters that deviate the most from your earlier baseline. I also recommend the default time sample; unless you have a specific need to see a more granular collection or you need to collect for a longer period of time. Again, the object and counter will dictate the collection span used to monitor it. For instance, if you wish to monitor an item that potentially peaks every 10 seconds, setting the interval of 15 seconds may cause you to miss it.

Once you’ve added the objects and counters you care about, select Close and you’ll see the numbers moving across the screen. This view is useful for evaluating trend lines. You can right-click within the screen and set options such as update frequency, grids and so forth to make the view more relevant to what you’re watching. You can change the view to a histogram, often useful in evaluating "slice of time" items, such as hard drive space usage.

What you're looking at is the current activity of the system. The current activity view is used to watch the server, but it is only as historical as the time spanned on the screen, and only that portion can be saved off for later review. For historical monitoring, double-click the Performance Logs and Alerts item on the left of the tool, and then click the Counter Logs item. Right click in the right-hand panel to create a new log. This is where you collect the objects and their counters to a file. This file can be an ASCII file or a binary file. In Windows 2003, you can also save these logs to a SQL Server database. Usually the best option is the binary file, since it takes less of a performance hit than the ASCII file, even though the ASCII model makes for smaller files.

Once you add the objects and counters to the log, it needs to be started. You can start the gathering process manually or at a certain time, and you can stop it the same ways. The option to do that is on the Schedule tab. If you choose to start the logging manually, then once you save the log you can right-click the icon for the log and start or stop it there.

Once the log file is created, you examine it by opening the chart view and clicking the icon that looks like a database or drive. Selecting the file from this option drops you back into a blank palette. Now that the log file is loaded, you can access the objects and counters in it, just as if you were doing this in real time.

Click the plus sign on the tool bar to bring up the objects and counters that were logged. When you select them, their entire results are presented on the screen, rather than a slow crawl. Since it’s difficult to evaluate the data this way, I normally right-click in those results, save them off as a comma-separated value ASCII file, and then open it in Microsoft Excel. I can then use statistical methods to slice and dice the results and find what I’m looking for.

In addition to the Chart view and the Counter Log settings, note that there is also an option to create a Trace Log. This type of log makes entries only when certain activities occur, such as a page fault.

The final option in System Monitor is create an Alert, which can watch an object’s counter and take an action based on the values you specify. The option to be careful about here is the number of times the action will occur. If you set a threshold of 3 for a counter, then each time that value (per sample) exceeds three you’re server will take the action. So if you’re sampling ever second and the counter stays at 3 for 10 seconds, your server will take 10 actions. To avoid this behavior, set the action to happen only on the first occurrence. Of course, that means that the next time the counter hits 3 your action won’t fire.

Now that you have a grasp on how and when the tool should be used, what objects and counters are useful to know about monitoring your SQL Server installation? I’ll present a few here, along with comments, but again I want to warn you away from blindly applying these counters with their values to your system. By all means, monitor your system, but also make sure that you spend some time researching these items to know if your values have the same interpretation.

The other caveat is that your system may not have all these counters, or they may be named differently than what you see here. Each software release and service pack can publish its own objects and counters, so what you see here is available on my system as of this writing.

I used these counters to evaluate the performance of a system using SQL Server as a back-end to an IIS application. Obviously, other applications will require different objects and counters to be monitored. These objects and counters serve as a demonstration of the types of things I monitor for a SQL Server application I use:

Object

Counter

Meaning

Notes

Cache

Data Maps Hits %

NTFS Processing Efficiency

Should be better than 90% or may need to defrag Hard Drive

Cache

MDL Read Hits %

Cache Hits for IIS

Should be better than 90%

Memory

% Committed Bytes

Shows memory use

Should be under 70

Memory

Available MBytes

How much unallocated RAM is left on the server

Should be greater than 50MB

Memory

Cache Faults/Sec

Physical Disk Read I/O Operation

The fewer the better

Network Interface

Bytes Total/sec

Shows network activity

Network Monitor Driver must be installed for accurate measurement of network items - Measure against network bandwidth availability

Network Segment

% Network Utilization

Total Network segment use - not from this server alone

Depends on many networking variables, but can be useful to a Network specialist

PhysicalDisk

Current Disk Queue Length:_Total

Shows physical drive activity

Less than 3 per physical disk is acceptable

PhysicalDisk

% Disk Read Time

How much time spent doing reads

Combine with Writes to see if Index usage is correct - may need to adjust fillfactor

PhysicalDisk

% Disk Time -- _Total

Shows drive activity

diskperf -yv is required for proper logical disk counters to operate. Should be less than 55% - watch for increase

PhysicalDisk

% Disk Write Time

How much time spent doing writes

Combine with Reads to see if Index usage is correct - may need to adjust fillfactor

Process

% Processor Time

Pick Specific Object

Will explain how much that object is taking on the processor

Processor

% Total Processor Time

Shows the CPU activity being taken by all processes

Should not exceed 80% for continuous periods with high Proc Queue Length. NOTE: W2K measures non-busy time and subtracts it from 100%

Server

Bytes Received/Sec

Data received by the server NIC

 

Server

Bytes Transmitted/Sec

Data sent by the server NIC

 

SQL Server:Access Methods

Full Scans/Sec

Table scans

For the entire server - not just one database

SQL Server:Access Methods

Page Splits/Sec

Splits happen when data or indexes span a page (8k)

Fillfactors may not be correct if this is high

SQL Server:Buffer Manager

Cache Size (pages)

 

Multiply x 8192 for RAM amount, should be close to the RAM in your system.

SQL Server:Locks

Average Wait Time (ms)

Time processes spend waiting on a lock release

Should not be high

SQL Server:Locks

Number of Deadlocks

Number of processes deadlocking each other

Measurement is by the second

SQL Server:Memory Manager

Target Server Memory

How much RAM SQL wants

 

SQL Server:Memory Manager

Total Server Memory

How much RAM SQL is using

 

SQL Server:SQL Statistics

Batch Requests/Sec

Bow many batches sent to SQL Server

Over 1000 indicates a busy SQL Server - May indicate CPU bottleneck. A 100Mb network card can handle 3000 per second.

SQL Server:SQl Statistics

SQL Compilations/Sec

How many compiles SQL has to do

Over 100 may indicate a SQL problem

SQLServer:Buffer Manager

Buffer Cache Hit Ratio

Shows how much data is found in the Buffer

Should be 99% or greater

SQLServer:General Statistics

User Connections

Shows the number of connections taken on the SQL Server

Varies

System

% Total Privileged Time

Kernel mode operations

Should be less than 20% or may be IO bound. Pair with %Disk time counter to see if greater than 50%. Can also indicate driver or NIC.

System

Context Switches/Sec

Server thread switches

Should not exceed 8000 per second, per processor

System

Processor Queue Length

Shows the amount of processes waiting for CPU time

Pairs with % Processor Time counter - Should not be greater than 2 per proc.

Web Service

GET Requests/Sec

Number of GET requests

Each GET connection attempt

Web Service

POST Requests/Sec

Number of POST requests

Each POST connection attempt

Web Service

Total Method Requests/Sec

Hits on the Web Server

Service Request rate

These counters, along with others, can be used to help you understand what your system is doing. In another tutorial I show you how SQL Server provides user-defined counters (10 of them) that you can update from your SQL code. Using these counters, your application can report its status to the System Monitor.

Informit Articles and Sample Chapters

Along with the other performance tuning tutorials I've got in this section, other resources exist on Informit to help you tune your system. Here's an article by Kevin Kline, Baya Pavliashvili called Application Performance Tuning.

Online Resources

Intel has a great article that talks about monitoring the processor using Performance Monitor.

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For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020