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.
Target 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.
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:
Module 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 module, 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.
Module 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
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 module, 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.
Module 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 module, 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.
Module 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 Troubleshoot for Common Connectivity Issues.
What Are SQL Server 2005 Endpoints?
Lab : Troubleshooting SQL Server Connectivity Issues
Troubleshooting Server-Not-Found Issues.
Troubleshooting an Authentication Error Message.
Troubleshooting Endpoint Issues.
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Explain the methodology of troubleshooting connectivity issues.
Describe the areas to audit for common connectivity issues.
Explain the SQL Server 2005 endpoints.
Troubleshoot Server-Not-Found issues.
Troubleshoot an authentication error message.
Troubleshoot endpoint issues.
Module 5: Troubleshooting SQL Server Data Issues
This unit lets students troubleshoot issues at a data level. One exercise will be used to identify and recover a torn page. The second exercise is a business unit report which contains invalid data. The goal is for the Database Administrator to track down the reasons for the invalid data.
Lessons
The Methodology of Troubleshooting SQL Server Data Issues
The Process of Troubleshooting Data Integrity Issues
How Torn Pages Can be Resolved Using a Single-Page Restore
Lab : Troubleshooting SQL Server Data Issues
Troubleshooting and Repairing Torn Pages
Troubleshooting a Data Issue
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Explain the methodology of troubleshooting data issues.
Explain the process of troubleshooting data integrity issues.
Explain how torn pages can be resolved using a single-page restore.
Troubleshoot and repair torn pages.
Troubleshoot data integrity issues.
Module 6: Troubleshooting SQL Server Data Concurrency Issues
This module lets the students identify the offending objects that cause concurrency issues. The first exercise shows students how to determine stored procedures involved in a deadlocked situation. The second exercise shows students how to determine the source of a blocking issue. The third exercise shows students how to evaluate wait types and latches.
Lessons
The Methodology of Troubleshooting Concurrency Issues
What Are SQL Server Latches?
Activity: Choosing a Blocking Monitoring Solution
Lab : Troubleshooting SQL Server Data Concurrency Issues
Identifying the Objects Involved in a Deadlock
Identifying the Objects Involved in a Blocking Issue
Determining Concurrency Issues by Using Latch Wait Types
After completing this module, students will be able to:
Explain the methodology of troubleshooting concurrency issues.
Explain what latches are and how they can be useful in troubleshooting long wait times.
Choose a blocking monitoring solution.
Identify the objects involved in a deadlock issue.
Identify the objects involved in a blocking issue.
Determine concurrency issues by using latch wait types.
