This test helps you to determine whether/not the Snapshot agent is contributing to a slowdown (if any) in the replication process. This test, at pre-configured intervals, monitors how quickly the agent delivers transactions to the distribution database. Latencies in creation of snapshot files or in recording synchronization details in the Distributor are thus revealed.

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 the value chosen against ISPASSIVE is YES, then the server under consideration is a passive server in a 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.