SQL Server Monitor

Because every environment is a production environment for someone.

DEMO

Performance data logger written in T-SQL

Power BI Dashboard for data analysis and recommendations
Driven by SQL Agent or Windows Task Scheduler
Local data collection to a local database
Lightweight with minimal overhead
Designed for long term storage
Decentralised, every instance monitors itself
Perfect for large environments.
No limit on number of monitored instances
Optional central repository for improved reporting

Simple, one-line installation with dbatools


Install-DbaSqlWatch -SqlInstance YourSQL1, YourSQL2

Offline installation methods available

Deploy DacPac in SSMS or directly from Visual Studio

Push collected data to Azure Log Monitor

Leverage Azure Workbooks for reporting

Reduce local footprint

Customisable alerts and notifications

Customisable alerts. You decide what alerts you’re getting
Customisable templates. You can change what the alerts look like: Plain text, HTML, JSON, XML
PowerShell based actions for almost limitless integrations
Send Push notifications to mobile phones
Run executables and SQL Commands
Webhooks integration
Send Push notifications to messaging platforms: Slack, MS Teams
Send Emails

How it works

1. Collect

Each server collects its own, pre-defined or user-defined, high-granularity performance metrics.

2. Store

Collected data is written to a local database, optimised for long term storage.

3. Check

Checks run periodically to make sure all metrics are within the required thresholds.

4. Action

Out of bound checks can send notifications or perform arbitrary remedial or integration actions.

5. Report

Analyse historical performance data using the provided Power BI Dashboard.

6. Archive

Automatically aggregates and archives high granularity data for long term storage.

FAQ

What is it?

SQLWATCH is a data logger. It logs performance data, disk utilisation, agent history, index performance and few other important metrics. It also uses extended events to capture “interesting” workload and transactions, such as long queries or blocking chains.

Without a doubt it is something a lot of DBAs have done in their careers to support their systems. A lot of you will have some scheduled agent jobs that collect certain data or even SSIS packages that collect data from across the entire estate. The problem with you doing it yourself is that you then have to support it :) Instead, we can do it together, share the knowledge and experience with the help of the fantastic SQL Server community.

Is it free?

Yes, SQLWATCH is completely free under MIT license.

Why T-SQL and not Windows Service

During my career I have come across a large number of enterprise environments that were not allowed to install third party executables but DBAs were often free to install anything within the SQL Server scope. SQLWATCH is essentially a SQL Server database with some agent jobs that collect data and completely within the remit of DBAs.

It may not be the most efficient way of collecting data. For example, a .NET service would offer multithreading and the ability to collect from remote servers, but being written in T-SQL gives additional benefit of being completely transparent and easy to fix, debug and expand by any DBA or SQL Developer.

If there is a enough demand and support from the SQL Server community I may consider an option for a .NET service.

Does it replace my paid monitoring solution?

SQLWATCH was born as an ad-hoc monitoring solution I was using during end to end performance testing and tuning and was not designed to provide all the features that paid monitoring solution provide. However, it enables DBAs to monitor all the environments not covered by their enterprise monitoring license such as development, QA, DR or even Production, if you have no other monitoring.

What do I get out of it?

It’s my way to give back to the SQL Community, I am not looking for anything in exchange but you can buy me a coffee if you like: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/marcingminski

Support

Documentation is available at https://docs.sqlwatch.io.
If you require help or support with SQLWATCH, the recommended way is to join our Slack Channel.
This way if we solve particular problem the entire community can benefit or even help solve it

Slack is a collaboration platform (similar to the good old IRC) where the SQL Community has its own place. It is free to join but you will require an invite. The Community is managed by fantastic Chrissy LeMaire from dbatools and you can obtain an invite on their website: https://dbatools.io/slack/

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