Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Unleashed- P152:SQL Server 2005 provided a number of significant new features and enhancements over what was available in SQL Server 2000. This is not too surprising considering there was a five-year gap between these major SQL Server 2008 is not as much of a quantum leap forward from SQL Server 2005 | 1454 CHAPTER 39 Monitoring SQL Server Performance CPU utilized by the computer running the instance This performance data is broken down based on utilization thresholds and displayed in the dashboard window based on whether the specific metric is overutilized underutilized or well utilized. This breakdown is created for each managed instance as well as data-tier applications a discussion of which is beyond the scope of this chapter. The key to making this performance information valuable for you is defining the thresholds for each one of these metrics. Overutilization or underutilization to some degree is a matter of personal preference. A CPU that is at 70 utilization may be considered overutilized for some but not for others. The thresholds for these metrics can be defined using the Utility Administration node in the Utility Explorer. Figure shows the policy screen where the global policies for the managed instances can be defined. These policies are essentially the thresholds for each of the four performance categories displayed in the SQL Server Utility dashboard. FIGURE Global policies for managed instances. The real power of the SQL Server Utility lies in its capability to collect the kind of performance data that we have been talking about for other SQL Server instances. This multiserver management capability is easy to implement and simply requires that you enroll the other SQL Server instances with a UCP. As mentioned earlier you can do this by using the third link on the Utility Configuration Steps page. You can also right-click on the Managed Instances node in the Utility Explorer and select Enroll Instance. The Enroll Instance Wizard guides you through the enrollment steps. Upon completion of the wizard the new instance appears in the Utility Explorer Content tab as shown in Figure . Performance Monitoring Tools 1455 FIGURE Managed instances. The performance data collected by the SQL Server Utility is stored in the utility .
