A New Way to Monitor Your SQL Server Instances
Tags: database, tutorial, sql, azure
Published: 2019-11-25 20:55:55

<p>Database performance tuning and query optimization are two of the most important activities to include in your SQL Server management efforts.  In most instances, sluggish database performance can be traced back to the neglecting of one of these core tasks.</p>

<p>Despite the impact that performance tuning and query optimization can make on your SQL Server instances, many database administrators (DBAs) and developers are hesitant to tinker with memory optimization, caching, indexing, and the like, out of fear for adversely affecting their production environment. </p>

<p>With the availability of modern database monitoring tools, such fears are simply unfounded. One of the latest additions to the database monitoring field is Navicat Monitor.  It's a server-based tool that you can access from anywhere via a web browser in order to keep track of your servers around the world, at any time, day or night. Version 2 added support for SQL Server; it can now monitor database process and system resources for locally hosted SQL Server instances as well as those provided via Amazon Web Services (AWS). This article will provide an overview of Navicat Monitor's most notable features.</p>

<h2>Agentless Remote Server Monitoring Explained</h2>

<p>Collect performance metrics from an SQL Server instance may be accomplished in one of two ways: </p>
<ol>
<li>by installing agent software on target servers and application servers. Performance metrics collected by the agents are then uploaded to a management server for storage, analysis, alerting and reporting to administrators.</li>
<li>without installing any agent software on the servers or devices being monitored.  </li>
</ol>


<p>No software to install makes the agentless approach easier to manage than agent-based monitoring.  In order to collect process metrics such as CPU load, RAM usage, and a variety of other resources, Navicat Monitor fetches them over an SSH/SNMP connection.  </p>

<h2>Query Analyzer</h2>

<p>The Query Analyzer screen is the place to identify problematic queries, such as top queries with cumulative execution time count, slow queries, and deadlocks caused by two or more queries blocking each other.  The Query Analyzer screen shows a wealth of information, including summaries of all executing queries, deadlocked queries, and more.</p>

<img alt="Long Running Queries" src="https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/aw3k6emh6nir8ifxenhl.png" />


<h2>Alerts</h2>

<p>No matter how carefully you configure your database, a sudden spike in usage patterns can cause unexpected slowdowns. Using Navicat's Alerts feature, you can set custom alert thresholds in order to receive alerts when the threshold rules that you defined are reached. For example: when CPU utilization exceeds 90% for more than 30 minutes. One of Navicat Monitor's most useful features, it can notify you via email, SMS, SNMP or Slack !</p>


<img alt="Configuring alerts" src="https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/qh7wow85eodqe1l2csox.jpg" />

<h2>Dark Theme</h2>

<p>As someone who has suffered from work-related eye strain, I have come to appreciate dark themes in my applications.  Navicat added Dark Mode support in the 2.1 update. Now, Navicat Monitor supports both light and dark interface styles. You can show a dark mode version as your default viewing preference.</p>

<img alt="Light and Dark Modes" src="https://thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i/bjtegnk84lc42ulsbqcs.jpg" />

<h2>Conclusion</h2>

<p>In this article, we explored some of Navicat Monitor's most notable features. 
 These are just the tip of the iceberg.  It also boasts an intuitive dashboard that's packed with vital information, migration script generation, roles manager, and scheduled reports, to name but a few.</p>

<p>Interested in giving Navicat Monitor a try? It's now available via <a href="https://www.navicat.com/en/store/navicat-monitor-plan" target="_blank">monthly and yearly subscription!</a></p>