Introduction

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The following sections provide an overview of SQL Servers and the Microsoft: SQL Server Enhanced PowerPack:

What Does the Microsoft: SQL Server Enhanced PowerPack Monitor?

The Microsoft: SQL Server Enhanced PowerPack enables you to discover, model, and collect data about SQL 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022 servers and their component devices.

The Microsoft: SQL Server Enhanced PowerPack includes:

  • An example credential you can use to create PowerShell credentials to connect to SQL Servers
  • Dynamic Applications to discover and monitor SQL Servers and their component devices
  • Device Classes for each type of SQL Server component device monitored by SL1
  • Event Policies and corresponding alerts that are triggered when SQL Servers and their component devices meet certain status criteria

The Microsoft: SQL Server PowerPack vs the Microsoft: SQL Server Enhanced PowerPack

The following table describes the functions and differences between the Microsoft: SQL Server PowerPack and the Microsoft: SQL Server Enhanced PowerPack:

Microsoft: SQL Server

Microsoft: SQL Server Enhanced

Description

This was the original PowerShell-based PowerPack to monitor SQL Servers.

This PowerPack was created to provide the ability to tune thresholds and suppress events on a per-database basis along with additional metrics being collected. It is a replacement to the other SQL PowerPack, not an add-on. Only one of these PowerPacks should be used to monitor an SQL Server.

Dynamic Application Alignment

All Dynamic Applications align to the Windows Server device.

The PowerPack builds a Device Component Map (DCM) tree below the Windows Server. The device components represent each SQL Instance on the server and each Database below the Instance.

SL1 Agent

The Dynamic Applications from this PowerPack can be aligned to SL1 Agents to monitor an SQL Server.

This PowerPack is not supported on SL1 Agents.

Concurrent PowerShell

This PowerPack can take advantage of the Concurrent PowerShell feature for improved collector scale.

This PowerPack does not leverage the Concurrent PowerShell feature.

Merging Devices

This PowerPack supports merging the Windows Server device with a virtual machine component in SL1.

This PowerPack does not support merging devices. Although the user interface does not prevent merging two DCM trees, it will break Dynamic Applications that depend on cached data from the root device.

SQL Cluster

This PowerPack does not include SQL Cluster support.

This PowerPack includes SQL Cluster support that is supplemented by the Microsoft: Windows Server Cluster PowerPack.

Metrics Collected

This PowerPack includes 7 Dynamic Applications that collect 76 metrics.

The PowerPack includes 30 Dynamic Applications that collect 239 metrics.

Why do you have two SQL PowerPacks?

Each of these PowerPacks have different strengths and weaknesses based on the Dynamic Application Type used (PowerShell vs. Snippet) and whether DCM is used.

Which PowerPack should I use?

Use the Microsoft: SQL Server PowerPack if you intend to use the SL1 Agent, need increased collector scale, or plan to merge the SQL Server device with its matching virtual machine component.

Use the Microsoft: SQL Server Enhanced PowerPack if you need the ability to control event thresholds or suppression on a per-database level, are monitoring an SQL Cluster, or want to sync the SQL Instance and Database components into a CMDB.

Is the Microsoft: SQL Server PowerPack still supported?

Yes, it is still supported and maintained.

Installing the Microsoft: SQL Server Enhanced PowerPack

Before completing the steps in this section, you must import and install the latest version of the Microsoft: SQL Server Enhanced PowerPack.

By default, installing a new version of a PowerPack overwrites all content from a previous version of that PowerPack that has already been installed on the target system. You can use the Enable Selective PowerPack Field Protection setting in the Behavior Settings page (System > Settings > Behavior) to prevent new PowerPacks from overwriting local changes for some commonly customized fields. For more information, see t Global Settings.

To download and install the PowerPack:

  1. Search for and download the PowerPack from the PowerPacks page (Product Downloads > PowerPacksSyncPacks) at the ScienceLogic Support Site.
  2. In SL1, go to the PowerPacks page (System > Manage > PowerPacks).
  3. Click the Actions button and choose Import PowerPack. The Import PowerPack dialog box appears.
  4. Click [Browse] and navigate to the PowerPack file from step 1.
  5. Select the PowerPack file and click Import. The PowerPack Installer modal displays a list of the PowerPack contents.
  6. Click Install. The PowerPack is added to the PowerPacks page.

If you exit the PowerPack Installer modal without installing the imported PowerPack, the imported PowerPack will not appear in the PowerPacks page. However, the imported PowerPack will appear in the Imported PowerPacks modal. This page appears when you click the Actions menu and select Install PowerPack.