Total SQL Analyzer

Product Guide

FMS is pleased to provide you with this Product Guide to assist in your evaluation of this exciting member of the FMS family of development products.

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Contents
	Introducing Total SQL Analyzer PRO
	Key Features and Benefits
	Technical Information
	Sample Reports
	General Information
	Compare Both Versions
	Additional Resources
	Conclusion
	About FMS

Introducing Total SQL Analyzer PRO

Super-Charge SQL Server with Total SQL Analyzer PRO! It provides in-depth analysis of an entire Microsoft SQL Server system, including performance optimizations, configuration problems and best-practices suggestions, an interactive object dependencies diagram, and complete documentation of all objects.

Total SQL Analyzer PRO can generate a thorough, easily-navigated analysis with the click of a mouse. There is no way a developer or database administrator can accomplish this without spending hundreds of hours of effort on the analysis of one server, and it just would not be economically feasible. Total SQL Analyzer PRO can provide this information for an unlimited number of servers and can save an unlimited number of analyses for each server. These results represent an audit trail of configuration, schema, and the state of a Microsoft SQL Server system over time. This kind of information is invaluable for pinpointing scalability problems, to aid in disaster recovery, and for many other purposes.

Overview

Implemented as a Windows-based application, Total SQL Analyzer PRO includes the following functionality:

• Analysis of over 120 performance optimizations and configuration and design issues.

•  Interactive object dependencies diagram.

• Over 70 high quality reports of all analysis and documentation generated. All reports can be printed, or saved in HTML or Microsoft Word format.

•  Job definitions that allow you to specify the server and objects to analyze. Jobs can be saved and run on demand or scheduled for non-peak times.

• Analysis results are automatically saved every time a job is run, allowing chronological reviews of changes to every system analyzed.

Key Features and Benefits

Technical Information

In the process of evaluating any software solution, you must evaluate the features and how they translate into benefits for your organization.

Analysis of configuration and schema design that can negatively affect performance and scalability
Attempting to ferret out all of the potential configuration and design problems among hundreds or thousands of tables, views, stored procedures, user defined functions, columns, triggers, constraints, and other objects is just not possible. Microsoft SQL Server has hundreds of settings to control all aspects of performance, security, and management. These settings are stored in many places, including system tables, the Windows registry, and in objects directly in the Microsoft SQL Server installation. Although Microsoft SQL Server provides a rich array of tools for creating objects, there are often cases where design decisions you make may result in issues as you deploy your databases.

Total SQL Analyzer PRO can analyze all of these objects and alert you to over 120 different performance tips and issues that you just wouldn’t be able to find, and provides recommendations to correct these problems. The complete list of performance tips and issues is as follows:

Performance Tips

Server

• AWE is off.

• Max degree of parallelism is set to the default (0).

• Max worker threads is set to the default (255).

• Min memory per query is set to the default (1024).

• Network packet size is set to the default (4096).

• Priority boost is set to the default (0).

• Query timeout is set to the default (-1).

• Query wait is set to the default (-1).

• Recovery interval is set to the default (0).

• Server RAM should be at least 256 mb.

• Time slice setting is set to the default (100 milliseconds).

• Temp database located on server’s data drive.

Databases

• AutoShrink should be off for production databases.

• Consider locating tempdb on its own separate physical drive.

• Database growth increment of 10% or less may be too small.

• Transaction Log growth increment of 10% or less may be too small.

• Update statistics is on.

Tables

• Avoid using the sql_variant datatype.

• Char datatype allows null data.

• Clustered index is not based on a single, narrow, column.

• Computed column performance tip.

• Consider adding an index for this column if it is used in a WHERE or ORDER BY operation.

• Consider disallowing NULL values in this column.

• Consider not having a clustered index on this column if it has incremented data (id, date, etc.) and is subject to a high number of INSERTs.

• Consider using a fixed-length character data type for this column.

• Consider using varchar, char, nchar, or nvarchar instead of text or ntext data types in this column.

• Do not use float or real data types for primary keys.

• Duplicate indexes found for column.

• Identity column in primary key is a unique identifier.

• If a trigger functions as a constraint, consider using a constraint to perform the same task.

• Non-unique index.

• Primary key is a clustered index.

• Table does not have a clustered index.

• Unicode datatype found (nchar, nvarchar, or ntext).

Views

• Consider creating indexes for temporary tables.

• Consider indexing columns used in DISTINCT clause.

• Consider indexing columns used in GROUP BY clause.

• Consider indexing columns used in ORDER BY clause.

• Consider indexing columns used in TOP clause.

• Consider indexing columns used in WHERE clause.

• Consider using a derived table instead of a temporary table.

• Consider using UNION ALL instead of UNION if duplicate values are OK.

• Data conversion function found in the WHERE clause.

• DISTINCT clause found in view.

• IN clause found in view.

• Min() and Max() - columns used by these functions should have an index.

• Non-indexed view.

• ORDER BY found in view.

• SELECT * found in views.

• SELECT with HAVING clause may have issues.

• SELECT...IN clause performance tip.

• SOUNDEX function may have issues.

• SUBSTRING function found in WHERE clause.

• UNION found.

• WHERE clause not found in view.

• WHERE clause with AND operator performance tip.

• Wildcard characters found at the beginning of a word using the LIKE keyword.

Stored Procedures

• Consider creating indexes for temporary tables.

• Consider indexing columns used in DISTINCT clause.

• Consider indexing columns used in GROUP BY clause.

• Consider indexing columns used in ORDER BY clause.

• Consider indexing columns used in TOP clause.

• Consider indexing columns used in WHERE clause.

• Consider using a derived table instead of a temporary table.

• CURSOR found in stored procedure.

• Data conversion function found in WHERE clause.

• GROUP BY with no aggregate clause.

• IN clause found in stored procedure.

• Min() and Max() - columns used by these functions should have a clustered index.

• ORDER BY found in stored procedure.

• SELECT * found in stored procedure.

• SELECT DISTINCT found in stored procedure.

• SELECT INTO found in stored procedure.

• SELECT with HAVING clause may have issues.

• SELECT...IN clause performance tip.

• SET NOCOUNT ON not found in stored procedure.

• SOUNDEX function may have issues.

• Stored procedure name begins with sp_.

• SUBSTRING function found in WHERE clause.

• WHERE clause not found in stored procedure.

• WHERE clause with AND operator performance tip.

• Wildcard characters found at the beginning of a word using the LIKE keyword.

•  WITH RECOMPILE not found in stored procedure.

• WITH RECOMPILE option in stored procedures can cause performance problems.

User Defined Functions

• Consider indexing columns used in DISTINCT clause.

• Consider indexing columns used in GROUP BY clause.

• Consider indexing columns used in ORDER BY clause.

• Consider indexing columns used in TOP clause.

• Consider indexing columns used in WHERE clause.

• CURSOR found in user-defined function.

• Data conversion function found in WHERE clause.

• DISTINCT clause found in user-defined function.

• IN clause found in user-defined function.

• Min() and Max() - columns used by these functions should have an index.

• ORDER BY found in user-defined function.

• Scalar user-defined function performance tip.

• SELECT * found in user defined function.

• SELECT with HAVING clause may have issues.

• SELECT...IN clause performance tip.

• SOUNDEX function may have issues.

• SUBSTRING function found in WHERE clause.

• UNION found.

• WHERE clause not found.

• WHERE clause with AND operator performance tip.

• Wildcard characters found at the beginning of a word using the LIKE keyword.

Issues

Server

• Allow updates should be turned on.

• ANSI Nulls setting is off.

• Auto update statistics is off.

• Identically named columns with different data types detected.

• Lock Timeout has not been changed from its default value (-1).

• Max async i/o has not been changed from its default value (32).

• sa user with no password.

• The max size for all databases on a server hard disk exceeds the size of that disk.

• The model database's size is larger than the server's remaining free disk space.

Databases

• Compatibility level should be set to the current version.

• Consider making the database read-only if it is only used for retrieval of data.

• Database has no user-defined file group.

• Database name contains spaces.

•  Multiple owners exist for database object.

• The database and its transaction log share a physical drive.

Tables

• Check constraint is disabled.

• Identity column may have issues.

• IMAGE column may have issues.

• Smalldatetime data type is not compatible with Visual Basic.

• Table does not have a primary key.

• Table name contains spaces.

• Text or ntext datatype found.

• Trigger is disabled.

Views

• ANSI Nulls Status is False.

• View name contains spaces.

Stored Procedures

• Stored procedure name contains spaces.

• Stored procedure was created with ANSI NULLS off.

User Defined Functions

• ANSI Nulls Status is False.

• SELECT INTO found in user-defined function.

• User-defined function name contains spaces.

Because Total SQL Analyzer PRO's analysis is so comprehensive, you can finally see both big picture and detailed analysis about your database systems. This information is invaluable in many scenarios:

• To troubleshoot performance and scalability problems

•  When you need to migrate objects and applications from server to server

• As you find that undocumented changes have appeared in you system over time

Total SQL Analyzer PRO provides complete documentation of object schema
Even small Microsoft SQL Server installations contain hundreds of objects made up of hundreds of properties, scripts, and settings.

The schemas and meta data that define objects are the critical roadmap developers and administrators rely on. This information is very useful in many scenarios, including the following:

• As developers create applications that use Microsoft SQL Server, they need access to current schema information. Total SQL Analyzer PRO provides this in the reports that can be printed or exported--data you can include on your intranet or send via email.

• As object schema is changed over time, it is critical to be able to identify differences. By running Total SQL Analyzer PRO at regular intervals, you can rely on having detailed schema information before and after changes.

• When you need to provide printed or electronic documentation to a client, IS department, or another group within your organization.

Interactive Object Dependencies diagram
All object dependencies are documented and represented in an easy-to-navigate, printable diagram. You can view dependencies among objects in two ways:

1. Where Objects are Used – shows objects that use an object. For example, a table is shown above a list of objects that reference that table (e.g., stored procedures and views that use the table).

2. Objects Used by an Object – displays a list of all objects that are directly used by an object. For example, a stored procedure will contain all objects that it uses (e.g., tables, user defined functions, etc.).

Below is a screen shot of a small section of the dependency diagram showing where objects are used:

Over 70 presentation-quality reports are included
Because of the amount of information Total SQL Analyzer PRO provides, you need a way to get a clear, concise overview of your system. Total SQL Analyzer PRO includes over 70 reports that allow you to view configuration and schema data grouped and sorted in a variety of ways. Additionally, all reports can be printed, or exported to HTML of Microsoft Word for inclusion in other systems or processes.

Total SQL Analyzer PRO provides a powerful documentation explorer
In addition to the reporting tools, Total SQL Analyzer PRO also provides the Documentation Explorer, which uses the familiar look and feel of Windows Explorer. You can navigate through Microsoft SQL Server information using a familiar treeview, and see summary, property, and issues as well as performance tips for each object analyzed. Additionally, you can filter properties to see all values across a specific set of object. This is very useful when you want to perform consistency checking.

Jobs can be defined and re-run at any time
To get Total SQL Analyzer PRO to generate information about a Microsoft SQL Server installation, you simply run the Job Wizard to define which server, objects, and options you want to include. You can create any number of customized jobs, and re-run them at any time. Total SQL Analyzer PRO also includes a scheduler so you can easily run Jobs when your server load is at its lowest.

Job results are saved
Because Total SQL Analyzer PRO saves Job results on disk, you can choose to save specific documentation and analysis over time. This makes it easy to see how objects have changed over time.

Total SQL Analyzer PRO supports all editions of Microsoft SQL Server 7 and Microsoft SQL Server 2000
Because Total SQL Analyzer PRO supports all editions of Microsoft SQL Server 7 and 2000, you only have to work with one product to get the information you need across your entire enterprise.

Sample Reports

Quickly Understand the Big Picture with Top-Level Summary Reports
If you develop applications in today's rapid-pace world, your number one concern is meeting your deadlines. Total SQL Analyzer PRO provides specific concrete benefits that help you meet your goals.

One of the key problems in developing with SQL Server is that, as your applications grow, it can be difficult to see the forest for the trees. You need to see the big picture in order to make top-level decisions about design and work loads. Total SQL Analyzer PRO provides targeted summary reports to give you exactly this information.

The Server Overview shows the big picture of your server and its objects.
 

Use the Database Overview to see the big picture of your databases.
 

Understand Individual Objects with Drill-Down Detail Reports
The second important problem with SQL Server is that you need detailed information about specific objects. Total SQL Analyzer PRO allows you to drill down to the lowest level to see how tables, views, stored procedures and other objects are actually constructed. This low-level information can dramatically reduce your development time by providing you with a roadmap that helps you write your applications faster.

The Table Dictionary shows you everything you need to know about tables.
 

Use the Field List to see fields across tables.
 

Deliver More Reliable Applications by Detecting Errors and Omissions
Your mandate as a developer is a tough one: not only are you expected to deliver applications on a tight schedule, you are expected to deliver solutions that perform quickly and have few errors. Unfortunately, the task of digging through SQL Server to detect performance problems, data inconsistencies, and potential errors is a long arduous process. Let Total SQL Analyzer PRO do the work for you.

Total SQL Analyzer PRO scans all server and database objects and properties to detect hidden performance problems. Performance problems can occur when properties are set to non-optimal values, or default server settings are not modified to reflect how your applications work. Now you can find these potential issues in minutes instead of days.

Even simple SQL Server installations can contain object definitions and property settings that may cause errors in your applications. Total SQL Analyzer PRO checks objects and settings against a database of known potential errors and omissions.

Use the Performance Tips report to see hidden performance problems.
 

The Issue Reports show potential errors and problems in your server and database objects.
 

Ensure Data Consistency and Integrity
As tables and fields multiply, the chance for mismatched data types increases. A simple matter of a key field duplicated in a child table with a different data type can lead to data inconsistencies and possible data loss or corruption. Mapping data types between fields with the same names across tables is the only way to find these consistency issues. Total SQL Analyzer PRO does this for you automatically, by providing documentation of field data types across objects and showing inconsistent data types.

Use the Column Consistency Report to find problems that may lead to data loss or corruption.

System Requirements

Total SQL Analyzer PRO has the following system requirements:

• Windows 98, ME, NT 4.0, 2000, or later

• Processor: Pentium II or better

• 64 MB RAM

• 20 MB free disk space for installation