GUI tools

Owned by Kiss, Mate
Jul 31, 2018
2 min read

The following graphical management tools are recommended to be utilized when working in the Verba environment:

  • SQL Server Management Studio (or SQL Server Management Studio Express in an SQL Server 2008 Express Edition installations)
  • SQL Server Configuration Manager
  • SQL Server Profiler

The following topics provide brief explanation of these tools. For detailed information about the mentioned applications, follow the above provided link to the Microsoft documentation site.

SQL Server Management Studio and SQL Server Management Studio Express

These tools provide an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of the SQL Server. SQL Server Management Studio combines a broad range of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors that provide access to SQL Server for developers and administrators at all skill levels.

SQL Server Management Studio combines the features of Enterprise Manager, Query Analyzer, and Analysis Manager, included in previous releases of SQL Server, into a single environment. In addition, SQL Server Management Studio works with all components of SQL Server such as Reporting Services, Integration Services, SQL Server Compact Edition, and Notification Services.

To access SQL Server Management Studio on the taskbar, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft SQL Server 2008, and then click SQL Server Management Studio.

For further information on how to use SQL Server Management Studio, refer to
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms174173.aspx.

For further information on how to use SQL Server Management Studio Express, refer to http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms365247.aspx .

SQL Server Configuration Manager

The SQL Server Configuration Manager utility is a tool to manage the services associated with SQL Server, to configure the network protocols used by SQL Server, and to manage the network connectivity configuration from SQL Server client computers. The SQL Server Configuration Manager combines the functionality of the following SQL Server tools: Server Network Utility, Client Network Utility, and Service Manager.

SQL Server Configuration Manager is a Microsoft Management Console snap-in that is available from the Start menu, or can be added to any other Microsoft Management Console display. To invoke the SQL Server Configuration Manager the Microsoft Management Console (mmc.exe) uses the SQLServerManager.msc file located in the Windows System32 folder.

For further information about SQL Server Configuration Manager, refer to http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms174212.aspx.

SQL Server Profiler

SQL Server Profiler is a tool that captures SQL Server 2008 events from a server. The events are saved in a trace file that can later be analyzed or used to replay a specific series of steps when trying to diagnose a problem. SQL Server Profiler is used for activities such as:

  • Finding and diagnosing slow-running queries.
  • Capturing the series of Transact-SQL statements that lead to a problem. The saved trace can then be used to replicate the problem on a test server where the problem can be diagnosed.
  • Monitoring the performance of SQL Server to determine bottlenecks and identify opportunities to tune database and system workloads. For information about tuning the physical database design for database workloads, see Database Engine Tuning Advisor Reference.
  • Correlating performance counters to diagnose problems.

SQL Server Profiler also supports auditing the actions performed on instances of SQL Server. Audits include records on security-related actions for later review by a security administrator.

For further information on SQL Server Profiler, refer to http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms173757.aspx.