Professional SQL Server® 2005 Performance Tuning

2.3. Performance Monitor Overview

Within System Monitor in Windows Server 2000 and 2003, one of the most useful components is known as Performance Monitor, which exposes around 50 performance objects and 350 performance counters. Each performance object provides access to a number of performance counters which give real time access to system resources. The performance counters and objects are populated from the Windows registry and using Performance Library DLLs. Additionally, each application installed on a server may add its own performance objects. For example, a single instance of SQL Server will add more than 30 of its own performance objects, each object with numerous counters.

Common tasks you can use Performance Monitor for include:

• Collect real-time performance data from your server

• Log performance data over an extended timeframe

• Collect and compare performance data from different servers

• View a graphic representation of server performance

• Save and export performance data

• Measure the performance impact of system and/or software changes

• Send performance alerts based on performance thresholds

In situations where you're experiencing performance or reliability issues, Performance Monitor can reveal the source of the problem very quickly, if the problem is simple. On many occasions, however, Performance Monitor will provide you with a better understanding of the scope and nature of a problem, but you'll likely have to use other specific tools to proceed with troubleshooting. It's ...