Azure SQL Database Size Test

Periodic monitoring of the usage of the files of each file type in the database is essential to ensure that the files of the database are always adequately sized to handle current and future loads. The Azure SQL Database Size test monitors the usage of the files of the target Microsoft Azure SQL database and indicates if it requires resizing.

Target of the test : A Microsoft Azure SQL service

Agent deploying the test : An external/remote agent

Outputs of the test : One set of results for each file type in the Microsoft Azure SQL database being monitored.

Configurable parameters for the test
Parameters Description

Test Period

How often should the test be executed.

Host

The host for which the test is to be configured.

Port

The port at which the specified Host listens.

Database Name

Specify the name of the Azure SQL database that is to be monitored.

User Name and Password

Against the User Name and Password parameters, specify the credentials of the user who is vested with DBOWNER rights to the configured Database Name.

Confirm Password

Confirm the specified Password by retyping it here.

SSL

If the Azure SQL database service being monitored is SSL-enabled, then set the SSL flag to Yes. If not, then set the SSL flag to No.

Domain

By default, none is displayed in this text box. If the ‘SQL server and Windows’ authentication has been enabled for the Azure SQL database being monitored, then the Domain parameter 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 monitored database exists. Also, in such a case, the User Name and Password that you provide should be that of a 'domain user' with DBOWNER rights to the configured Database Name.

IS NTLMv2

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, this flag is set to No, indicating that NTLMv2 is not enabled by default for the target Microsoft Azure SQL database. Set this flag to Yes if NTLMv2 is enabled for the target database.

Measurements made by the test
Measurement Description Measurement Unit Interpretation

Allocated size

Indicates the space allocated for this file type.

GB

 

Free space on maximum

Indicates the amount of disk space that is currently available for use by the files of this file type.

GB

A high value implies that the database files have adequate space for growth. If the value of this measure is low, then you may have to fine-tune your auto-growth settings accordingly.

Percentage free space

Indicates the percentage of Max file size that is currently available for use by the files of this file type.

Percent

If many files of this file type are set to auto-grow till disk capacity is reached, then, a high value of this measure indicates that there is enough space for the files to grow. A low value indicates that there is very little room for file growth.

Growth rate

Indicates the growth rate of the files of this file type.

GB/sec

 

Maximum size

Indicates the maximum size up to which the database files of this file type can grow.

GB

Each database file that is associated with your database has an auto-growth setting. There are three different settings you can use to identify how your database files will grow. They can grow by a specific size, a percentage of the current size, or not grow at all. Additionally you can set your files to unrestricted growth, which means they will keep growing as they need more space or you run out of disk space. Or you can restrict the growth of a database file to grow no larger than a specified size. Each one of these different auto-grow settings have defaults, or you can set them for each database file.

If the auto-growth setting is not enabled at all for a file in a file group, then the amount of space that was originally allocated to that file will be regarded as the Max file size of that file.

On the other hand, if the Auto-growth setting is enabled for a file in the file group, then the Max file size of that file will be one of the following:

  • If a specific size limit is explicitly set for the file, then this will be considered as the Max file size of that file.

  • If no size limit is set for the file, then the total capacity of the disk drive in which that file resides will be considered as the Max file size of that file.

So, if a file group consists of a few data files for which auto-growth is enabled and a few others for which it is disabled, then the Max file size of that file group will be a sum total of the following:

  • The sum of the space allocated to each of the files for which auto-growth is not enabled;

  • The sum of the maximum size limits, if defined, for each file for which auto-growth is disabled;

  • The sum of the total capacity of the disks containing the auto-growth-enabled files for which no size limit is defined.

Used size

Indicates the amount of space that was already utilized by the files of this file type.

GB

A high value for this measure indicates that the space in the files are depleting at a faster pace.