Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance1 Ch. 11 – Monitoring Server Performance MIS 431 – created Spring 2006

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance2 Overview Identify importance of monitoring performance Use Task Manager to monitor server performance and resource usage Use Event Viewer to identify and troubleshoot Use Performance Console to monitor server performance using System Monitor and Performance Logs and Alerts Optimize server performance through configuration of service settings

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance3 Task Manager Similar tool found in Windows XP Start via Rt-click task bar, choose Task Manager Ctrl+Alt+Del key Click Task Manager button in Windows Security dialog box

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance4 Task Manager Applications tab – shows the application programs that are running. Rt-click an appl: Switch to – takes you to highlighted program Bring to front – brings the program to the top but leaves task manager on top Minimize Maximize End Task – kills the task (use often) Go to Process – highlights the main process associated with this program

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance5 Task Manager Processes tab – shows all processes used by applications and services running in the background Shows info about each process (name, CPU utilization, memory used) Click on top header to sort by that column Can end a process: but be careful!

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance6 Task Manager Performance tab – monitor performance of server in real time Track: CPU utilization, PF (page file) usage, memory Window also shows in tray of Task Bar: CPU utilization (e.g., investigate if you see lots of green)

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance7 Task Manager Networking tab – displays performance of network cards installed in the WS03 server Gives you percent utilization and speed of each NIC (click each on bottom) Users tab – shows stats about each logged in user Can disconnect a user here or log off a user Can send a message to a user from here

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance8 Event Viewer Most common tool – used to monitor and troubleshoot problems Contains several logs of events Application log – info, warnings, and errors from application programs Security log – events pertinent to audit policy (e.g., log ins, failed log on attempts, etc.) System log – info, warnings, and errors associated with WS03 system components like drivers and services (Domain controllers have two other logs related to AD: directory service and file replication service. DNS servers also have DNS server log)

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance9 Event Viewer Events: Information: successful event. Shown by “I” Warning: event may become a problem in the future – pay attention. Shown by “!” Error: a significant failure. Shown by red “X” Information shown: Type of event (I, W, E) Date and time of event Source of event (which application or process) Category and event ID Computer on which the event occurred

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance10 Event Viewer Viewing an event: double click an event to see its properties To view next or previous, click the arrows at top right Can copy to clipboard and paste to word processor to document entire details

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance11 Event Viewer Can copy events to a file, and then clear out the log to begin capturing new events Useful if you have made a change and want to see the effects of the change Rt-click a log and choose Save file as and then Clear all events Observe log to see if events continue to occur – adjust configuration as necessary From my experience, you might need a “wizard” to interpret events to know cause and subsequent fix. Therefore write your own solutions in your log book!

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance12 Performance Console System Monitor: collect data on real-time server performance for these tasks Server performance Problem diagnosis Capacity planning Testing Performance Logs and Alerts Collect data in three formats: binary, CSV, SQL Server View data while collected and after Configure start, stop, multiple logging sessions Set up alerts when a threshold is crossed

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance13 System Monitor See window Fig p.448. Output views: Graph Histogram Report Define your components to monitor and type of data to collect Pages/sec Avg Disk Queue % Processor Util.. And many more

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance14 System Monitor Start | Administrative Tools | Performance Selecting a view: click View Report button or View Graph button or View Histogram button At bottom: counters currently being collected Click a counter, then click Highlight button to highlight Can click Freeze Display button to pause the screen Can click Update Data button to manually collect an observation Can click Clear Display to restart all onscreen counters

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance15 System Monitor To add other counters: Rt click, choose Add Counters Click drop down arrow in Performance Object box Select counter(s) Click Explain to learn about that counter Click Add Alternate method Click New Console Set (erases current counters) Click Add Continue as above

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance16 System Monitor Can save report or graph: Click Freeze Display button Rt click an area, choose Save As Fill in file name and path, click Save button View as HTML file

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance17 Performance Logs and Alerts Access via Performance Console (see left window) Three options: Counter logs: info from System Console Trace logs: similar but triggered to start or stopwhen an event occurs Alerts: can cause an event to occur when a counter reaches a predetermined value

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance18 Performance Alerts See Activity 11-7 for detailed information on how to set this up Select data Select schedule Start | Administrative Tools | Services Rt Click Alerter icon Click Start Set up alert settings Choose action(s) See activity

Chapter 11 - Monitoring Server Performance19 Configure and Manage Services Can disable unnecessary services Name Description Status Started [blank] Stopped Paused Startup type Disabled Manual Automatic Look at Properties of Service