02Apr 2008 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

SCOM Solution

Tools
I had posted a problem I was having with SCOM below. I got a good answer to the problem in the Microsoft discussion group. It was a silly little thing. The "SQL" alias inside the object needed a reference placed within the Management Pack definition. I've still go so much to learn about this tool.
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01Apr 2008 by Grant Fritchey 1 Comment

Performance Studio

Tools
I just found out about some new functionality coming out in SQL Server 2008 called Performance Studio. It's actually largely a framework around which you can build performance monitoring routines for an entire enterprise. This sounds terrific. I'm going to dig into a bit and make it my presentation for the Heroes {Community} Launch event at SNESSUG next week. Here's a Technet webcast on the topic. Here's a very nice blog entry over at SQLTeam (I suppose I should ad them to my blog roll) discussing the function of the Data Collector, the foundation for this new framework. Performance Studio only works with 2008 systems though, so that's something to take into account. Although I see an interview with Brad McGehee that says it's not enterprise ready. Another something to take…
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01Apr 2008 by Grant Fritchey 4 Comments

SQL Data Generator

Tools
I just received word from Rachel Hawley over at RedGate that SQL Data Generator has been released. I've been using the beta over the last few months and I've found it incredibly useful for setting up tests and playing around with my database designs, seeing how different data loads will be distributed through the indexes, etc. It's quick to use but fairly powerful and flexible and, frankly, pretty inexpensive. I strongly recommend it.
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01Apr 2008 by Grant Fritchey 8 Comments

SCOM Problem

Tools
I'm stuck. I posted this last week on the Microsoft SCOM newsgroup, but I'm not getting any responses. On the off chance that the 5 people a day who read this site might know the answer, here's the question as posted: I'm sure this is something fundamental and simple, but I'm honestly stuck. I'm attempting to capture a new Performance Counter, Plan Cache, Cache Hit Ratio, Object Plans & SQL Plans. When I lay it out to create it, I get the attached error. I'm assuming based on the "Unknown alias" and the fact that I'm in a custom management pack, something is amiss with the Management Pack. What? Any help at all would be appreciated. Date: 3/28/2008 11:29:55 AM Application: System Center Operations Manager 2007 Application Version: 6.0.6246.0 Severity:…
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28Mar 2008 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

New SCOM Book

Tools
I got a new SCOM book in the mail yesterday, System Center Operations Manager Unleashed. It's friggin' huge. I've just started reading through it and it looks pretty good. So far, it's much more thorough than the only other book available for SCOM, Mastering System Center Operations Manager 2007. I'm going to ready through more of it before I post a review to Amazon. I think I'll write up a review for the PASS book reviews too. Hey, if you have time on your hands, get on over there, request a book and write up your own review.
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25Mar 2008 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

SCOM As a Code Source

Tools
A friend has had an article posted over on SQL Server Central that's worth a read. Scott Abrants outlines the type of code that SCOM uses for SQL Server auditing and how you can leverage that outside of SCOM for other work you may be doing. As noted in the comments, it's also worth taking a look at how Microsoft set up it's rules and monitors as a method for setting up your own.
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20Mar 2008 by Grant Fritchey 1 Comment

Slick New Tool from RedGate

Tools
I have no intention of this becoming "tool of the day" or anything, but I can't help tooting the horn for a tool that I've been using a lot from RedGate. It's new and in beta right now, but it's going to be pretty good. It's a data generation tool called, are you ready, Sql Data Generator. Who saw that coming? Ok. I know. I'm not funny. Anyway, this is a great little tool. I've been using it to quickly slap large amounts of data into small sets of tables to test queries that I'm writing or for checking answers that I'm posting over at SQL Server Central. The tool lets you pick which tables and the columns inside those tables that you want filled with data. It has a…
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19Mar 2008 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

SCOM Troubles

Tools
I inherited the SCOM project when one of our Admin people left the company. This person had done a ton of work setting things up but ran into some problems. One of the problems was identified as databases missing from particular instances. I investigated further and found that the database list was "distinct" across instances. Meaning, if two instances shared the same database name, only one of the databases was listed. After getting an email from PSS, I did more investigation today. Now it's getting weirder. Some servers aren't showing up in Explorer, some aren't in both Explorer and the console. Not good. I've documented it all and shipped it off to the PSS guys to see what they think.
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18Mar 2008 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

SQL Inspect

Tools
I was asked if I would look at a new tool from a company I hadn't heard of. It's SQL Inspect from Yohz Software. Nominally this is a SQL query editor. However, strictly as a query editor, especially when compared to what's available in SQL 2008 or what tools like Red Gate's SQLPrompt or SQLRefactor can do for you, it's not so hot. Luckily, that's not where its strengths lie. Instead, it's all about performance tuning your queries and it does this very well indeed. It takes a query and returns a tree structured execution plan, looking a bit like the old text plans, but much more sophisticated with roll-ups, etc. It shows you all the details of the operations, just like an execution plan, but immediately accessible on the screen,…
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