Database Performance Tuning to Improve DBMS Performance
Use response time analysis to make database tuning more precise
Response time analysis is a pragmatic approach to tuning and optimizing database performance, allowing users to more easily identify issues and deliver measurable results. With response time analysis, you can optimize database tuning in your DBMS by identifying bottlenecks, pinpointing root causes, and prioritizing actions based on the impact poor database performance has on end users.
SolarWinds® Database Performance Analyzer (DPA) is built to collate SQL statement data every second and can help you identify which SQL queries to focus on.
Isolate and remediate poor performing SQL statements with database tuning in SQL Server
SolarWinds DPA includes tools and features specially designed to handle database tuning in SQL Server and offer insights into critical metrics.
Intuitive graphs in DPA are built to display poor performing SQL statements, application wait times, and specific wait types/events that could be causing bottlenecks. You can also click on sections of the graph to drill down on specific issues to troubleshoot quickly.
Take database tuning to the next level with table tuning advisors
DPA’s table tuning advisor is designed to make it easier to jump into complex database tuning by collating historical data and presenting the information in bar graphs.
The tuning advisors in DPA can help point DBAs toward problems in need of immediate focus by providing clear, actionable advice. You can also leverage DPA’s alarms to drill down into detailed data surrounding an issue in real time.
Follow database performance tuning steps to beat roadblocks
The first step in database performance tuning is locating the problem. With SolarWinds DPA database anomaly detection feature powered by machine learning, you can analyze your instance wait behavior profile to more easily identify what needs fixing. You can then leverage the SQL tuning advisors to analyze existing SQL statements and gain recommendations on how to adjust queries.
By following the recommendations provided by DPA, you can better troubleshoot database performance tuning issues like bad SQL or poor connection management.
Find SQL queries
Speed up troubleshooting efforts or accelerate mean time to innocence by narrowing down query performance analysis. DPA allows you to search for specific SQL queries using the application name, user, and host as well as portions of SQL statements such as table or column names. You can then troubleshoot the root cause by viewing wait time details, executions, and other key performance metrics. Having this information available allows you to narrow your focus to diagnose performance problems associated with a particular time frame, user, or application, resulting in faster resolution.
Get More on Database Tuning
How can I improve my database performance?
Here are some useful tips to help improve your overall database performance:
- Make sure indexes are implementing a logical data structure that makes the data retrieval process more efficient.
- Reallocate computing system’s memory reserves. When there’s not enough memory available, databases are often hit hardest.
- Are you using the latest version of MySQL or Oracle? Sometimes keeping your database up to date is all it takes to improve database performance.
- Avoid common SQL index pitfalls like coding loops and correlated SQL sub-queries.
- Defragmenting data might help speed up the database. Make sure you have enough disk space.
- Effective database tuning and performance monitoring can help provide insights and pinpointed performance optimization recommendations.
How does database tuning work?
When it comes to best practices for database performance tuning, here’s a quick tutorial:
Use historical data to find out what “normal” is and gather information about the database’s baselines. Gathering baseline metrics can make it easier (and much faster) to see if something is amiss in your database.
Look over the execution plan. MySQL offers database administrators different ways to examine queries and database performance. Look over the execution plan to make sure it’s as efficient as possible.
Review all tables, indexes, and queries for inefficiencies. Look for increased wait times and index column alignment.
Identify and eliminate bottlenecks. Resolve bottlenecks by determining the problematic SQL queries and why they’re causing problems.
Put in place effective monitoring. Inefficient queries are a primary cause of database performance issues, so a large part of database tuning is devoted to monitoring query performance. For example, SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer is powered by wait-based analytics, since time-related issues are some of the most prominent pain points in database performance tuning. This method can help you better isolate, identify, and investigate database performance tuning issues with precision.
Why is database tuning important?
A few milliseconds of lag for database queries can quickly snowball into a huge bottleneck and take a long time to rectify. Database tuning is important because it can help shave precious seconds off query response times, so information can get where it needs to go much faster. Routine tuning is a vital part of database performance best practices and can be a quick way to accelerate application performance.
How do database tuning tools work?
Database tuning tools are designed to make the tuning process easier by automating many of the manual processes that can normally make database tuning time-consuming.
Database tuning software can also be an effective troubleshooting measure by helping users see exactly where the problem is, so there’s no need to root around within queries and applications hoping to find the issue. You can’t solve a problem you can’t see, and these tools can provide an overview of how your database is operating.
How does database tuning work in Database Performance Analyzer?
SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer is an agile and scalable database tuning tool built to help users monitor, find, and resolve database performance issues.
DPA is designed to correlate database activity, wait times, SQL statements, application requests, and other dimensions to help you pinpoint the exact cause of database slowdowns. With SolarWinds DPA, you can also quickly analyze SQL statements, identify the root cause of performance problems, and receive expert tuning advice for major commercial databases including IBM DB2, SQL Server, and SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise (SAP ASE).
How can I improve my database performance?
Here are some useful tips to help improve your overall database performance:
- Make sure indexes are implementing a logical data structure that makes the data retrieval process more efficient.
- Reallocate computing system’s memory reserves. When there’s not enough memory available, databases are often hit hardest.
- Are you using the latest version of MySQL or Oracle? Sometimes keeping your database up to date is all it takes to improve database performance.
- Avoid common SQL index pitfalls like coding loops and correlated SQL sub-queries.
- Defragmenting data might help speed up the database. Make sure you have enough disk space.
- Effective database tuning and performance monitoring can help provide insights and pinpointed performance optimization recommendations.
Ensure performance with a best-in-class database tuning tool
Database Performance Analyzer
- Easy drill in, context setting, and consistent navigation
- See what’s being blocked AND what’s doing the blocking
- The right data to optimize your database, indexes, and queries
Starts at $1,275
Subscription and Perpetual Licensing options available
