Leeds Area SQL Server User Group Meeting 3rd June

Sponsored by Quest Software

End-to-End SQL Server Performance Troubleshooting – Iain Kick

When attempting to diagnose a problem in a SQL Server application, there's no right or wrong way to go about troubleshooting. However, certain techniques yield much better results when used for end-to-end troubleshooting.

This presentation will teach you the best practices for finding the root cause of a problem in a SQL Server application, correlating that root cause to a specific set of activities being performed on the server, and tuning the problem activity for maximum performance-all using the native SQL Server tools. We will then compare and contrast those techniques to Quest Software's performance management and query tuning tools. All examples and syntax are verified for Microsoft SQL Server 2005.

Specifically, after attending this presentation, you should have a good understanding of:

• How to begin a troubleshooting project, including where to start and what to look at inside of SQL Server

• How to use the query tuning tools and techniques available with the Microsoft tool kit, including the SQL Server Error Log, Windows Performance Monitor (PerfMon), SQL Server DMVs (and system tables in older versions of SQL Server), SQL Profiler, and SQL Server Management Studio's Graphic Explain Plan

• How to use basic Transact-SQL statements to troubleshoot the performance of a SQL statement or Transact-SQL batch

Please note: although Iain will demonstrate how Quest has solved some of the problems within their products this session will not be a product demonstration.

Replaying Trace Files

This session will look at how to create a server side trace, and how it can be useful to regression and stress test your application. I'll look at some tools available to help you plan and analyse your traces and give tips on best practices that should be observed.

Agenda

18:30 - 19:00 – Introduction, Networking and Food

19:00 - 19:50 – End-to-End SQL Server Performance Troubleshooting – Iain Kick

19:50 - 20:00 – Break

20:00 – 20:50 – Replaying Trace Files - Martin Bell

20:50 – 21:00 – Close

Location:
Remarc, Capitol House, Bond Court, Russell Street, Leeds, LS1 5SP http://www.remarc.co.uk/remarcgroup/locations.aspx

I saw Iain’s presentation at Developer Day Scotland and it’s very good.

To register for the event go to www.sqlserverfaq.com