This step-by-step guide explains how to setup and monitor MS SQL Server Database using CloudMonix.



In this article


1. Monitoring setup

2. Collect, understand and use your data

    2.1 Metrics

    2.2 Alerts

    2.3 Actions

3. Setup verification and troubleshooting



Did you know?

CloudMonix provides advanced monitoring metrics and features for MS SQL Server Databases. Noteworthy:

  • CloudMonix connects to MS SQL Server Database directly from within own cloud premise thru user-defined IP address and port which need to be white-listed as described in this article
  • CloudMonix receives data by directly connecting and querying databases
  • pre-configured metrics: blocking queries, blocking queries count, list of open connections, active connections, list of queries being executed, resource response time, database size, top queries and resource status
  • alerts on blocking queries, database approaching maximum size, open connections maximum limit, slow responses and resource outages
  • ability to run custom SQL scripts on specified databases




Setup


a. Add new MS SQL Server Database:



Click the Add New button in the top right corner of your dashboard:


Add new resource





b. Firewall configuration:


CloudMonix monitoring services are hosted in Azure and use static IP addresses to perform monitoring. In certain circumstances user-defined firewall rules may prevent CloudMonix from accessing the monitored resources. Given this scenario, it is necessary to white-list CloudMonix IP addresses as described in this article.




c. Fill in required information in the Definition tab:



Definition tab provides settings for the resource name, credentials, server name, server port, database name, checkboxes to enable encrypted connection and use of trust server certificate, configuration template and categories:



Definition settings




Best Practices

Configuration Template setting provides pre-defined configuration templates available in CloudMonix by default as well as previously stored custom templates. See predefined templates for MS SQL Server Database for reference.



Definition tab for an existing resource can be accessed by clicking the resource's monitoring settings in the performance dashboard:


Resource monitoring settings





d. Advanced configuration:


Advanced configuration


Advanced configuration tab provides additional monitoring settings, which are already set as default for most use-cases.




Collect, understand and use your data


Specific Metrics, Templates, Alerts and Automation Actions for MS SQL Server Database:


MS SQL Server Database Settings




a. Metrics:


Diagnostic data points retrieved from the monitored resource are referred to as metrics . CloudMonix provides default templates for the metrics recommended for common configurations. Metrics can be further added, removed or customized in the Metrics tab of the MS SQL Server Database resource configuration dialog:


CloudMonix MS SQL Server Database monitoring metrics




b. Alerts:


CloudMonix features a sophisticated alert engine that allows alerts to be published for very particular conditions pre-defined by a template configuration or custom based on any of the available metrics. Alerts can be further added, removed or customized in the Alerts tab of the MS SQL Server Database resource configuration dialog:


CloudMonix alerts for MS SQL Server Database




c. Actions:


Actions are automation features that can be configured to fire based on specific conditions or schedule. Actions can be added and configured in the Actions tab of the MS SQL Server Database resource configuration dialog:


Available actions include the ability to run custom SQL scripts on the specified database based on condition or schedule.



CloudMonix MS SQL Server Database automation





Setup verification and troubleshooting


a. Setup verification:


Successful resource setup can be verified by clicking Test button in the resource configuration dialog and visiting the Test Results tab:


Monitoring setup test results




b. Troubleshooting monitoring issues:


CloudMonix provides deep insights into resource monitoring issues via the Status Dashboard screen. The screen allows to overview resources that have raised alerts and troubleshoot them by diving into the monitoring logs.


Status dashboard


Read the full article on how to use Status Dashboard to diagnose resource monitoring issues.