Viewing Counter Data in the Performance Console
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1
In its default view, System Monitor provides a list of active counters, including their object and instance, directly below the graphical display of counter data. Remember that many counters display the last observed value or a cumulative count, not an average value or rate.
If you are new to Windows Server 2003 performance monitoring, open the Performance console and take a look at the data provided by a few counters.
To select performance objects and counters to view in System Monitor
In Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Performance.
On the System Monitor toolbar, click the Add button (+) to open the Add Counters dialog box.
Click the Performance object list box to view a list of available performance objects, and then select an object to monitor.
When you select an object, the list box on the left shows the available counters for that object and the list box on the right displays the instances for that object.
To select specific counters for the performance object, click Select counters from list (the default option), and then select the counters that you want to view.
After you select a counter, you can click Explain to view a description.
If you want to monitor one or more specific instances of the counter (when available), select from the list of instances in the box on the right. Windows provides a default selection if you do not select a specific instance.
Click Add to begin monitoring.