The latest version of SQL Monitor, the popular SQL Server monitoring tool from Redgate, now lets users analyze SQL Server problems faster and easier – and gives them the ability to view query execution plans.
SQL Monitor is a web-based SQL Server alerting and diagnosis tool for DBAs, IT Managers, and developers. It lets them proactively monitor, measure, and act on SQL Server issues, from the machine level down to individual queries. The latest version introduces a new interactive interface which helps users identify problems and establish why they occurred, and then provides guidance on how to fix them.
When an issue arises, SQL Monitor picks it up and sends an alert about it as normal. What caused the problem is of real interest, however, and SQL Monitor 6 now allows users to drill down to the exact point in time the issue happened, and shows exactly what was going on and why.
“It’s no good knowing your server is running slowly,” says Ben Emmet, SQL Monitor Product Manager. “You need to know why it’s running slow, what caused the issue, and how you’re going to fix it. SQL Monitor V6 lets you visualize the problem, focus in on the key metrics around the specific time period, and see what the root cause was. It’s now possible to get from knowing there is a problem to knowing the solution in a handful of clicks.”
Key performance metrics such as waits, CPU, memory, and I/O are displayed within an interactive display that lets users pinpoint specific unusual events and then focus investigations around that point in time.
Another key feature introduced in Version 6 is the ability to view query execution plans. Execution plans can tell an administrator how a query was executed by SQL Server and are a DBA’s primary means of troubleshooting a poorly performing query.
Being able to view the execution plans inside SQL Monitor speeds up diagnoses by enabling users to identify the exact piece of SQL code that is causing a problem. Showing the execution plan can also improve collaboration between DBAs and developers, avoiding unnecessary finger pointing when something goes wrong.
As Ben Emmett concludes: “Troubleshooting SQL Server can be a laborious process with many investigation stages leading you down blind alleys. SQL Monitor V6 takes the guesswork out of the process. It quickly takes users step-by-step through the data, and guides them to the information they need to take the necessary action.”
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