Monitor by using SQL Insights

SQL Insights is a tremendous tool shipped with Microsoft Azure SQL Solutions. It can significantly ease the work of database administrators, offering an easier way to monitor and troubleshoot performance issues at the Azure SQL level.

Using SQL Insights, you can achieve a deep understanding of your database’s performance and the interdependencies in your applications, which can help you take prompt corrective measures whenever necessary.

Understanding the Power of SQL Insights

To illustrate the power of SQL Insights, let’s consider a database performance issue as an example. Assume that the applications connected to your database are running slowly and creating a frustrating experience for the end-users.

Analyzing query performance can be a daunting task, mainly when multiple, complex queries are involved. However, SQL Insights can simplify this task with its rich and interactive visual interface, enabling you to identify performance issues in minutes.

Navigating SQL Insights

To use SQL Insights, navigate to the Azure portal, find your database, and select “Query Performance Insight.” This option will redirect you to a comprehensive dashboard where you can see an overview of your database’s performance. Here you’ll find details about the database’s utilization, the number of connections, most time-consuming queries, and much more.

Now, let’s say you want to analyze a specific slow query. For example, you notice a specific query that is consuming a significant amount of CPU resources. You can simply drill down into the issue by clicking on the problematic query, which will show you additional information such as the actual SQL query text, the execution plan, the total duration, and the number of executions.

Alerts and Monitoring with SQL Insights

Aside from providing insights into query performance, Microsoft SQL Insights also allows you to set up alerting and monitoring systems. You can define custom alert rules based on parameters like DTU consumption, CPU percentage, data IO percentage, and Log IO percentage.

To set up an alert, simply go to the Azure portal, select your database, and go to the “Alerts” section. Click on “New Alert Rule,” specify the metrics you want to track, define the conditions for the alert, and finally, specify the action group that would receive the notifications.

Preemptive Problem Solving with SQL Insights

Recollect how we initially had an issue with the database performance that was affecting user experience? Imagine if we had set up the alert system properly, we might have received an alert as soon as the problematic query started affecting the database’s performance, enabling us to solve the issue proactively.

All in all, SQL Insights is an impressive tool that can significantly simplify your task as a database administrator. It offers deep insights into query performance, giving you the visibility and control you need to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of your database.

Leveraging SQL Insights and Microsoft Certification

To fully leverage SQL Insights’ capabilities, it’s a great idea to familiarize yourself with its features and usage through rigorous hands-on practice and studying for the Microsoft certification exam DP-300: Administering Relational Databases on Microsoft Azure. Besides, the exam will validate your knowledge and skill in implementing and managing the operational aspects of cloud-native, and hybrid data platform solutions built with Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Azure Data Services.

By using SQL Insights effectively, you would unlock a whole new level of control over your database, enabling you to minimize downtime, increase user satisfaction, and ultimately ensure the success of your applications.

Practice Test

True/False: SQL Insights deliver real-time metrics by giving the full-stack view of your databases in Azure.

True
False

Answer: True

Explanation: SQL Insights in Azure gives real-time metrics and complete analysis of your databases for detaining common performance problems.

The Azure SQL Insights feature is only available for Azure SQL Database and not for Azure SQL Managed Instance.

True
False

Answer: False

Explanation: Azure SQL Insights enables advanced monitoring and troubleshooting for both Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance.

Single Select: What type of storage does SQL Insights use to keep its metrics and logs?

a) File storage
b) Queue storage
c) Table storage
d) Log Analytics workspace

Answer: d) Log Analytics workspace

Explanation: SQL Insights stores its metric and log data in a Log Analytics workspace.

Multi Select: Which of the following can be monitored with Azure SQL Insights?

a) Query performance
b) Table storage
c) Database configurations
d) Server metrics

Answer: a) Query performance, c) Database configurations, d) Server metrics

Explanation: SQL Insights allows you to monitor query performance, database configurations, and server metrics. It doesn’t monitor table storage specifically.

True/False: Azure SQL Insights only offers visualizations; it does not allow raw data queries.

True
False

Answer: False

Explanation: Aside from visualizations, SQL Insights also allows you to query raw data.

Azure SQL Insights uses ______ for query analysis and full-text search.

a) KQL (Kusto Query Language)
b) SQL
c) Python
d) JavaScript

Answer: a) KQL (Kusto Query Language)

Explanation: Azure SQL Insights uses KQL, a read-only request to process data and return results.

Multi Select: What can be configured when setting up Azure SQL Insights?

a) Retention period
b) Thresholds for monitoring
c) Setting up alerts
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation: All these settings can be configured in Azure SQL Insights.

True/False: Without configuring alerts, Azure SQL Insights will automatically send notifications.

True
False

Answer: False

Explanation: Alerts need to be configured in Azure SQL Insights to receive notifications.

How long is data retained by default in Azure SQL Insights?

a) 30 days
b) 60 days
c) 90 days
d) 120 days

Answer: a) 30 days

Explanation: By default, SQL Insights retains data for 30 days.

True/False: Azure SQL Insights integrates with Azure Monitor and Azure Log Analytics.

True
False

Answer: True

Explanation: SQL Insights integrates with Azure Monitor and Azure Log Analytics, offering a comprehensive solution for monitoring Azure SQL resources.

Can you change the retention period for data in Azure SQL Insights?

Yes
No

Answer: Yes

Explanation: The data retention period can be customized in Azure SQL Insights according to the user needs.

What is the main purpose of Azure SQL Insights?

a) Troubleshooting
b) Monitoring
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above

Answer: c) Both a and b

Explanation: Azure SQL Insights serves the purpose of both monitoring and troubleshooting Azure SQL resources.

True/False: Azure SQL Insights cannot be used to monitor Azure SQL Serverless databases.

True
False

Answer: False

Explanation: Azure SQL Insights supports monitoring of Azure SQL Serverless databases.

Single Select: Azure SQL Insights uses _____ to run its agent.

a) Azure Functions
b) Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
c) Azure Container Instances (ACI)
d) Azure Logic Apps

Answer: c) Azure Container Instances (ACI)

Explanation: Azure SQL Insights uses Azure Container Instances (ACI) to run its agent.

True/False: You cannot create custom dashboards in Azure SQL Insights.

True
False

Answer: False

Explanation: Azure SQL Insights supports the creation of custom dashboards according to the user’s needs.

Interview Questions

What is SQL Insights in Azure?

SQL Insights is a feature in Azure that provides a comprehensive monitoring solution for Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance. It aggregates and visualizes key performance metrics and helps to identify performance problems and their root cause.

What metrics are monitored using SQL Insights?

SQL Insights monitors compute, storage, and input/output metrics. Additionally, it provides insights into the SQL Server performance counters, SQL waits, contention, and other relevant key performance indicators.

Can SQL Insights monitor Azure SQL in real-time?

Yes, SQL Insights can monitor Azure SQL in real-time and also allows a historical view of the metrics.

How can SQL Insights help in problem diagnosis?

SQL Insights provides functionalities such as interactive metrics charting and querying which can help in analyzing performance bottlenecks, understanding resource contention, and diagnosing other SQL Server issues.

Does enabling SQL Insights impact the performance of an Azure SQL Database?

SQL Insights uses lightweight performance data collection, thus it has minimal impact on the performance of Azure SQL Database.

How long does SQL Insights keep the performance data?

By default, SQL Insights data retention is set for 7 days, however, you have the flexibility to adjust this retention period.

Is SQL Insights automatically enabled for all Azure SQL Databases?

No, SQL Insights is not automatically enabled. You have to enable it for each Azure SQL database or managed instance that you want to monitor.

Can SQL Insights be used with on-premises SQL Server instances?

No, SQL Insights is specifically designed for Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance and does not support on-premises SQL Server instances.

Can SQL Insights be used to create alerts based on the performance metrics?

Yes, SQL Insights integrates with Azure Alerting and Notification system enabling creation of alerts based on specific performance conditions.

Can SQL Insights track changes in metrics over time?

Yes. SQL Insights provides time-series analysis which helps in tracking changes and trends in various metrics over time.

Can SQL Insights be used for capacity planning?

Yes, by visualizing and analyzing resource consumption and workload trends, SQL Insights can provide valuable insights for capacity planning.

How does SQL Insights enhance security and compliance?

SQL Insights uses Azure Log Analytics workspace for storage of collected data which ensures the security and compliance with Azure standards.

Can SQL Insights monitor multiple databases simultaneously?

Yes, SQL Insights can monitor metrics from multiple databases simultaneously.

Is SQL Insights available in the Azure portal?

Yes, SQL Insights is available within the Azure portal and can be accessed from the Azure SQL resource blade or from the Azure Monitor blade.

Is there an additional cost for SQL Insights?

SQL Insights usage has an associated cost which is billed separately and is not included in the cost of Azure SQL Database or Managed Instance.