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Tip: New SQL Server Utility and Utility Control Points in SQL Server 2008 R2

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SQL Server Utility is a central repository for Database Engine instances that helps you collect performance data. Every instance of SQL Server Utility has a single control point that you must create.

A control point is the central collection point for SQL Server Utility and is used to view performance information collected from managed instances and deployed data-tier applications. You can use this information to help you perform capacity planning and to ensure that resources are not overutilized.

Your organization can have multiple control points. Each control point can manage instances of SQL Server and data-tier applications. After you enroll an instance in a control point or deploy a data-tier application on a control point, you can monitor resource usage policies on the control point to help determine how the following resources are being used:

  • CPU
  • Data files
  • Log files
  • Disks

SQL Server Utility, control points, and managed instances are features of SQL Server 2008 R2.When you are working with R2, you use the Utility Explorer view in SQL Server Management Studio to work with control points and managed instances. If this view is not displayed, you can display it by selecting the Utility Explorer tab in the lower portion of any view window or by choosing the related option from the View menu.

To configure SQL Server Utility with a control point and managed instances, you need to do the following:
1. Create and then connect to a utility control point.
2. Enroll instances of SQL Server with the control point.
3. Create and register a data-tier application for use with the control point.
4. Establish resource health policies for managed instances and data-tier applications.
5. Grant user rights to view or manage health policies for the instance of SQL Server Utility.

From the Microsoft Press book Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant, Second Edition by William R. Stanek.

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