Performance Documentation


Documenting performance-related information is a continuous process due to the ever-changing metrics of business. This type of documentation begins by aligning with the goals, existing policies, and SLAs for the organization. When these areas are clearly defined and detailed, baseline performance values can be established using the System Monitor, Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM), or third-party tools (such as PerfMon and BMC Patrol). Performance baselines capture performance-related metrics, such as how much memory is being used, average processor utilization, and more; they also illustrate how the Windows Server 2003 environment is performing under various workloads.

After the baseline performance values are documented and understood, the performance-related information that the monitoring solution is still capturing should be analyzed periodically. More specifically, pattern and trend analysis needs to be examined on a weekly basis if not on a daily basis. This analysis can uncover current and potential bottlenecks and proactively ensure that the system operates as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Routine Reporting

Although the System Monitor can log performance data and provide reporting when used with other products such as Microsoft Excel, it behooves administrators to use products such as MOM for monitoring and reporting functionality. For example, MOM can manage and monitor multiple systems and provide graphical reports with customizable levels of detail.

Management-Level Reporting

Management-level reporting on performance data should be concise and direct but still at a high level. Stakeholders don't require an ample amount of performance data, but it's important to show trends, patterns, and any potential problem areas. This extremely useful information provides a certain level of insight to management so that decisions can be made as to what is required to keep the systems operating in top-notch condition. For instance, administrators identify and report to management that, if current trends on Exchange Server processor utilization continue at the current rate of a 5% increase per month, this will require additional processors in 10 months or less. Management can then take this report, follow the issue more closely over the next few months, and then determine whether to allocate funds to purchase additional processors. If the decision is made to buy more processors, management has more time to negotiate quantity, processing power, and cost instead of having to potentially pay higher costs for the processors at short notice.

Technical Reporting

Technical performance information reporting is much more detailed than management-level reporting. Details are given on many different components and facets of the system. For example, many specific counter values may be given to determine disk subsystem utilization. In addition, trend and pattern analysis should also be included to show historical information and determine how to plan for future requirements.




Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Unleashed(c) R2 Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Unleashed (R2 Edition)
ISBN: 0672328984
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2006
Pages: 499

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