Agents Administration - Tests
 

Configuration of MsSqlNetTest

This test monitors the availability and response time from clients by a Microsoft SQL database server from an external perspective.

The default parameters associated with this test are:

  • The TEST PERIOD list box helps the user to decide how often this test needs to be executed. 

  • The HOST text box, indicates the variable name of the host for which the test is to be configured.

  • The PORT number through which the Ms Sql server communicates. The default port is 1433. 

  • In the INSTANCE text box, enter the name of a specific Microsoft SQL instance that is to be monitored. The default value of this parameter is "default". To monitor a Microsoft SQL instance named "CFS", enter this as the value of the INSTANCE parameter. 

  • If a Microsoft SQL Server 7.0/2000 is monitored, then provide the name of a SQL user with the Sysadmin role in this text box. While monitoring a Microsoft SQL Server 2005/2008/2012, provide the name of a SQL user with the CONNECT SQL, VIEW SERVER STATE, VIEW ANY DEFINITION, VIEW ANY DATABASE, and PUBLIC roles in the USER text box.

  • The password corresponding to the above user has to be entered in the PASSWORD text box.

  • Confirm the password by retyping it in the CONFIRM PASSWORD text box. 

  • Enter the name of the database to connect to in the DATABASE text box. The default is "master". To monitor multiple databases, ensure that the database names are provided as a comma-separated list.

  • In the QUERY text box, specify the select query to execute. The default is " select * from master.dbo.spt_monitor". If the target Microsoft SQL database server is installed as case sensitive, then the value of query parameter must be case sensitive. If multiple databases are specified in the DATABASE text box, then you will have to provide multiple queries here separated by a semi-colon (;) - for eg., select * from master.dbo.spt_monitor;select * from alarm. Every DATABASE being monitored, should have a corresponding QUERY specification.

  • By default, none is displayed in the DOMAIN text box. If the ‘SQL server and Windows’ authentication has been enabled for the server being monitored, then the DOMAIN can continue to be none. On the other hand, if ‘Windows only’ authentication has been enabled, then, in the DOMAIN text box, specify the Windows domain in which the managed Microsoft SQL server exists. Also, in such a case, the USER name and PASSWORD that you provide should be that of a user authorized to access the monitored SQL server.

  • If the Microsoft SQL server being monitored is an SSL-enabled server, then set the SSL flag to Yes. If not, then set the SSL flag to No.

  • In some Windows networks, NTLM (NT LAN Manager) may be enabled. NTLM is a suite of Microsoft security protocols that provides authentication, integrity, and confidentiality to users. NTLM version 2 ("NTLMv2") was concocted to address the security issues present in NTLM. By default, the ISNTLMV2 flag is set to No, indicating that NTLMv2 is not enabled by default on the target Microsoft SQL host. Set this flag to Yes if NTLMV2 is enabled on the target host.

  • If the ISPASSIVE parameter is set to YES, then it means that the Microsoft SQL server under consideration is a passive server in a SQL cluster. No alerts will be generated if the server is not running. Measures will be reported as "Not applicable" by the agent if the server is not up.

  • If multiple components of the same component type are awaiting configuration, then an APPLY TO OTHER COMPONENTS check box will appear in this page. Clicking on this check box will allow you to apply the configuration to all/selected components of that type.

  • Once the necessary values have been provided, clicking on the UPDATE button will register the changes made.

When changing the configuration for specific servers, a “*” beside the text box corresponding to the parameter signifies that these values have to be manually configured by the user. The parameter values that require to be configured will typically be prefixed with a “$” or contain a series of “*”. A value of "none" in the parameter value indicates that the corresponding parameter value can be changed if required.