Back to Search Results

Training Course Summary:

Elements of this syllabus are subject to change.

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 Server 2005. The primary focus of this workshop is to teach the overall process of troubleshooting. It includes establishing monitoring standards and baselines, determining performance thresholds, and focusing the investigation on specific issues.

Pre-Requisites:

Before attending this course, students must have:

• Working knowledge of SQL Server 2005 architecture including indexing, SQL execution plans, and SQL Server basic configuration.

• Basic monitoring and troubleshooting skills. For example, students should have used Sysmon and Perfmon on the job.

• Working knowledge of the operating system and platform. Students should understand how 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.

• Basic understanding of server architecture such as CPU and memory utilization and disk input/output (I/O).

• Basic knowledge of application architecture. Students should know how applications can be designed in three layers, what applications can do, the interaction between applications and the database, and the interaction between the database and the platform or operating system.

• Understanding of Transact-SQL syntax and programming logic.

• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Windows networking. Students should understand how Domain Name Service (DNS) operates and how servers communicate between domains.

• Familiarity with SQL Server 2005 features, tools, and technologies.

• 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.

Who Should Attend:

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.

Training Course Overview/Content:

Unit 1: Building a Monitoring Solution for SQL Server Performance Issues

This unit provides an opportunity for the student to build a monitoring solution that will help to identify SQL Server performance issues. Students will 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

• Determining Which Indicators to Monitor

• 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 students to troubleshoot SQL Server performance issues. Students analyze the sample monitoring output to determine the issue. This unit includes information on 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 Profiler Can Help Narrow a Search to a Specific Issue

• 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 traces using SQL Server queries.

• Determine performance issues by using SQLdiag.exe.


Unit 3: Optimizing the Query Performance Environment

This unit gives students an opportunity 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 poorly performing queries and directed to investigate possible reasons.

Lessons

• The Methodology of Optimizing a Query Environment

• The Query Performance Troubleshooting Process


Lab: Optimizing the Query Performance Environment

• Reviewing an Execution Plan for Clues to Poor Performance

• Performing Index Analysis by Using the Database Tuning Advisor (DTA)


After completing this unit, students will be able to:

• Explain the methodology of optimizing the query environment.

• Describe the query performance troubleshooting process.

• Explain how Database Tuning Advisor can be used to troubleshoot the query environment.

• Review an execution plan for clues to poor performance.

• Perform index analysis by using DTA.


Unit 4: Troubleshooting SQL Server Connectivity Issues

This unit explains the troubleshooting of common SQL Server problems. Examples include DNS issues, network authentication issues, and SQL Server 2005 endpoint issues.

Lessons

• The Methodology of Troubleshooting SQL Server Connectivity Issues.

• Areas to Tro