A significant part of proper SQL performance monitoring is conducting health checks. However, it’s not always a priority, especially for companies who have a million other things to do. But wait too long to get your server checked, and it can start a whirlwind of problems that you would much rather not deal with.
Thus, here are some of the signs that it’s high time for a SQL Server health check:
1. Workload slowdown
Decreased speed is perhaps the number one telltale sign of poor server performance. And many things can cause workload slowdown, such as poor indexing strategies and schema designing, just to name a few.
If your server continues to operate slowly, this can cause detrimental effects on your company’s efficiency. To avoid facing more consequences of a poorly performing server, a health check should be in line.
2. Memory issues
When a server starts to slow down, the first solution that often comes to mind is to increase the server’s RAM. However, this is often a band-aid solution that won’t solve the problem entirely.
Instead of increasing the SQL Server RAM, the best way to deal with a poorly performing server is to find areas for optimization. And this, as you guessed it, can be done with a health check. Not only does a health check find doable opportunities to speed up the server, but it is also the best alternative to buying expensive hardware when there is no need to.
3. Security breaches
Leaving your database vulnerable to security breaches can have devastating effects on your business. Luckily, part of a standard SQL server health check is to identify security risk areas and signs of data breaches and then provide solutions to minimize or eliminate them.
Don’t wait for your business to be compromised and your customers to lose confidence in your company. If it’s been a while since you beefed up your security or have even though of checking it, a health check is crucial at this time.
4. Outages
Have you experienced an outage in the past three months or so? Did you find the cause of the problem and manage to fix it? Don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet–you’re probably going to face another outage, or two, or three. To prevent another interruption from happening, conduct a health check that will determine risk areas before they cause a disruption.
5. Lack of faith
Most IT managers do not have 100% trust in their databases, and that’s normal as long as you have at least 80 or 90% confidence that your server will uphold. However, if you’re in a constant state of worry for your database and have little to no confidence in it, then maybe it’s time to get a health check, not only for the database itself but for the peace of mind of everyone on the team as well.
If you are experiencing one or more of the things mentioned above, get a SQL health check as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might be skirting on the edge of another outage.
