Troubleshooting and Optimizing Database Servers Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Target Audience
This workshop teaches database administrators working in enterprise environments how to determine and troubleshoot performance issues using Microsoft SQL Server 2005. It 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 the following pre-requisites:Be familiar with SQL Server 2005 features, tools, and technologies.Knowledge of the operating system and platform.Working knowledge of SQL Server 2005 architecture.Understand Transact-SQL syntax.Have a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 credential - or equivalent experience.In addition, it is recommended, but not required, that students have completed: Course 2778, Writing Queries Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Transact-SQL; Course 2779, Implementing a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database; Course 2780, Maintaining a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database.

Purpose
After completing this course, students will be able to build a monitoring solution that will help to identify SQL Server performance issues; troubleshoot SQL Server performance issues; determine the database level reasons for poor query performance; troubleshoot common SQL Server problems; troubleshoot issues at a data level; identify the offending objects that cause concurrency issues.NB. This is a preliminary course syllabus. Some parts of the course are currently in development, so some elements of this syllabus are subject to change.

Course outline

1. Building a Monitoring Solution for SQL Server Performance Issues
2. Troubleshooting Database and Database Server Performance Issues
3. Optimizing the Query Performance Environment
4. Troubleshooting SQL Server Connectivity Issues
5. Troubleshooting SQL Server Data Issues
6. Troubleshooting SQL Server Data Concurrency Issues

Module 1:Building a Monitoring Solution for SQL Server Performance Issues

• 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

• 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

• Narrowing Down a Performance Issue to a Database Object.
• How the SQLdiag Tool Can Be Used to Analyze Outputs.
• Lab: Troubleshooting Database and Database Server Performance Issues

• 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 trace using SQL Server queries.
  
• Determine performance issues by using SQLdiag.exe.
  

Module 3:Optimizing the Query Performance Environment

• The Methodology of Optimizing a Query Environment.
• The Query Performance Troubleshooting Process.
• Use of Database Tuning Advisor to Troubleshoot the Query Environment.
• Lab: Optimizing the Query Performance Environment

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• The Methodology of Troubleshooting Concurrency Issues.
• What Are SQL Server Latches?
• Activity: Choosing a Blocking Monitoring Solution
• Lab: Troubleshooting SQL Server Data Concurrency Issues

• 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.