This course maps to Exams 70-444 and 70-447
Introduction
The purpose of this two-day workshop is to teach database administrators working in enterprise environments how to determine and troubleshoot performance issues using Microsoft® SQL ServerT 2005. The primary focus of this workshop is to teach the overall process of troubleshooting. It includes learning how to establish monitoring standards and baselines, determining performance thresholds, and focusing the investigation on specific issues.
Audience
This course is intended for current professional database administrators who have three or more years of on-the-job experience administering SQL Server database solutions in an enterprise environment.
Prerequisites
Before attending this course, students must:
• Have working knowledge of SQL Server 2005 architecture. Such as, indexing, SQL execution plans, SQL Server basic configuration, etc.
• Have basic monitoring and troubleshooting skills. For example, students should have used Sysmon and Perfmon on the job.
• Have working knowledge of the operating system and platform. That is, the operating system integrates with the database, what the platform or operating system can do, and the interaction between the operating system and the database.
• Have basic understanding of server architecture. For example, CPU and memory utilization and disk input/output (I/O).
• Have basic knowledge of application architecture. That is, how applications can be designed in three layers, what applications can do, interaction between applications and the database, and the interaction between database and the platform or operating system.
• Understand Transact-SQL syntax and programming logic.
• Have basic knowledge of Microsoft Windows® networking. That is, understand how Domain Name Service (DNS) operates and how servers communicate between domains.
• Be familiar with SQL Server 2005 features, tools, and technologies.
• Have a Microsoft® Certified Technology Specialist: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 credential - or equivalent experience.
In addition, it is recommended, but not required, that students have completed:
• Course 2778, Writing Queries Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Transact-SQL.
• Course 2779, Implementing a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database.
• Course 2780, Maintaining a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database.
Course Outline
Unit 1: Building a Monitoring Solution for SQL Server Performance Issues
This unit provides an opportunity to the student to build a monitoring solution that will help to identify SQL Server performance issues. Students will use the tool provided to design a baseline performance monitoring solution.
Lessons
• Narrowing Down a Performance Issue to an Environment Area.
• Guidelines for Monitoring Database Servers and Instances by Using Profiler and Sysmon.
• Guidelines for Auditing and Comparing Test Results.
Lab: Building a Monitoring Solution for SQL Server Performance Issues
• Building a Monitoring Solution for SQL Server Performance Issues.
• Implementing a Monitoring Solution.
• Auditing Monitoring Results to Identify Problem Areas.
After completing this unit, students will be able to:
• Explain the methodology of narrowing down a performance issue to a particular database environment area.
• Apply the guidelines for monitoring database servers and instances by using Profiler and Sysmon.
• Apply the guidelines for auditing and comparing test results.
• Determine which indicators to monitor.
• Implement a monitoring solution.
• Audit monitoring results to identify problem areas.
Unit 2: Troubleshooting Database and Database Server Performance Issues
This unit provides an opportunity for the students to troubleshoot SQL Server performance issues. Students analyze the sample monitoring output to determine the issue. This unit includes a new feature in SQL Server 2005 which allows students to automatically sync a Sysmon log and Profiler trace. It also allows students to load and perform analysis against a Profiler trace using SQL Server queries. Finally, it allows students to run SQLdiag.exe as an additional troubleshooting tool.
Lessons
• Narrowing Down a Performance Issue to a Database Object.
• How the SQLdiag Tool Can Be Used to Analyze Outputs.
Lab: Troubleshooting Database and Database Server Performance Issues
• Analyzing Sysmon and Profiler Traces.
• Analyzing a Profiler Trace by Using SQL Server Queries.
• Determining Database Server Issues by Using SQLdiag.exe.
After completing this unit, students will be able to:
• Explain the methodology of narrowing down a performance issue to a particular database environment object.
• Explain the use of SQLdiag tool to analyze outputs.
• Explain the use of Profiler to narrow a troubleshooting search to a specific issue.
• Analyze Sysmon and Profiler traces.
• Analyze Profiler trace using SQL Server queries.
• Determine performance issues by using SQLdiag.exe.
Unit 3: Optimizing the Query Performance Environment
This unit gives an opportunity to the student to determine the database level reasons for poor query performance, like bad indexes and outdated index column statistics. Students are provided with samples from a Profiler trace or a listing of bad performing queries and directed to investigate possible reasons.
Lessons
• The Methodology of Optimizing