About the Author:
Rey Lawrence Torrecampo is a Pre-sales Engineer for dbWatch and
a full-time Database Administrator. He has extensive knowledge in Postgres and MSSQL database management systems, with SQL as his most proficient language.
Today, managing databases is no longer driven by a concentrated focus on single instance optimization. Gone are the days when squeezing every last ounce of improvement was the norm. At the same time, Database Administrators are also caught in a whirlwind of modern problems like:
1. The looming threat of database security2. Database continually being distributed over the cloud or outsourced to hosting platforms.
3. The complexity of handling hundreds and thousands of databases and instances
Slowly, DBAs are losing control over the instances they manage. It is not that DBAs lack the knowledge or capabilities to address these problems, far from it. DBAs lack the necessary tools and time to provide a better solution. Hence, modern problems require modern solutions. And what better tool to use is a monitoring and management tool like dbWatch Control Center.
What is dbWatch Control Center?
dbWatch Control Center is a database monitoring and management solution launched by dbWatch in 2021. It has an intuitive User Interface. It is easy to pick up with minimal training.
But dbWatch Control Center is not just for aesthetics. Above all else, it champions functionality.
dbWatch Control Center installs jobs to your database instances. These are agentless jobs that are triggered by the dbWatch Server. Data is then kept in that database server, and it will only be pulled when needed. This method conserves resources for both the dbWatch Server and database server thus; either machine will feel little or no additional resource consumption.
Once the dbWatch Server pulls data, it displays them in graphs and tables in dashboards and views. Non-DBAs reading them will have an easier time understanding the presented database information. In essence, dbWatch is also accessible to non-technically inclined staff members who want to see their database system’s accurate and contextual information.
But that’s not all. Control Center can monitor hundreds of databases simultaneously. Whether you are database instances are MySQL, MS SQL, Postgres, or Oracle, connecting to them is possible. You can read our blogs on database farm management to learn more about it.
On top of that, Control Center is reliable even in unstable environments or multiple domains. You can connect your existing dbWatch servers or centralize them under one dbWatch Server. These servers will run smoothly even in low-bandwidth connections.
dbWatch Control Center presents unique advantages. dbWatch Control Center gives you the tools to improve efficiency and productivity for all roles: IT manager, operations manager, or a DBA.
Making best practices better
Manual execution is the common industry practice for index maintenance, disaster recovery, version, log, and license management. Although this is a widespread practice that most DBAs observe, it is riddled with inefficiency and too much time exhaustion. Even in big IT departments fall prey to this practice can be observed.
dbWatch Control Center presents a solution to combat the problems of manual execution. Through automation, the suitable policies can be applied throughout your databases. No longer does a DBA have to micromanage an entire database farm. For instance, he can easily track the compatibility level of his monitored SQL instances. (Click the link to read more). DBAs are assured that the versions are aligned and compatible across the farm.
Another application is maintenance. Using Control Center you can get information across your SQL environments.
With the Farm Module, you can check which instances needs indexes to be reorganize or rebuild. Using the severity indicator, you can check if that instance that deserves attention. The tabs presented gives DBA options to rebuild or reorganize indexes, clean data fragmention and check their databases for corruption. Coupled with the compatibility level tracking, you can standardize your entire SQL farm. By having compatible SQL jobs installed in every monitored instance, it’s easier to monitor them with the correct jobs and deploy necessary maintenance with just a click of a button.
With Control Center’s monitoring, you can detect potential problems before they occur. dbWatch scans database instances for backups and memory management. It provides timely alerts color-coded in red or yellow. Users can act on potential problems before they become critical.
In addition, it sports a feature where it scans for new database servers over a range of IP addresses. You no longer need to add database instances manually.
dbWatch is not just for automating operations; it offers customizable and reliable reports. You can schedule a report that is accessible for your colleagues and managers. Control Center prepares it with your organization’s logo and desired file format such as HTML or PDF by personalizing the report.
In Control Center, you can also customize your dashboard. Using Farm Data Language, you can manipulate fields and displays the output data with your organization’s needs. Like the image above, you can create your dashboard and personalize it the way you want.
In an industry where best practice is at the forefront of an organization’s operations, automated monitoring , auto-generated reports, and customizable dashboards are vital differentiators. dbWatch Control Center delivers these services. Consequently, it redefines your approach to database operations.
Counting the cost
Databases are your most valuable assets. They are the bread and butter of your organization. Your organization’s priority is to maintain it at all costs. Being too fixated on budgeting your maintenance costs should not compromise your organization’s goals in delivering excellent services to your customers. Control Center offers a solution where it adds value to your organization and, at the same time, minimizes costs in the long run.
License management is one of dbWatch Control Center’s features. By trimming down underutilize databases, you save money in the process. This way, you are taking control of your database license portfolio and decommission that unwanted database instance.
The same idea applies to cloud services or any hosting platform. Cloud services observe a pay-per-use model. You can add resources or pool from existing resources to your machine on the fly, but this could drive up the cost rapidly.
Exhibiting control over your cloud database instances is of utmost importance to most businesses. Businesses need a way to project costs while maintaining a level of service. dbWatch delivers in this aspect. As it monitors all your registered cloud instances, you get accurate database utilization and estimated cost projection. Your database’s monthly utilization metrics are vital information. With this, you can properly decommission underutilized cloud databases and prevent overutilization. Not only that, but you can also monitor and manage them using the same tool without needing to open another one.
You can see this application best exemplified when migrating to Azure cloud services. Having accurate information on your local database’s utilization maps a close estimation in setting up your cloud services. You can select the most appropriate service tier and instance configuration. With this information, you no longer need to mix and match services tiers and configurations blindly. Upon deployment, you are assured that there will be a seamless transition between your off-premise database server to the cloud server saving you time and money.
Any database. Anywhere
dbWatch Control Center can operate with any cloud, virtual or physical servers. Regardless of your company’s decision to adopt an exclusive cloud or on-premise setup, it works well with most database engines. As long as there is an IP connection or any subnets with differing firewall and policies, whatever the bandwidth and latency, dbWatch Control Center can connect to it.
Control Center employs that engine’s native SQL dialect: calling procedures and functions and running scripts through a native interface. The ODBC connector and Java drivers will support different Oracle, MS SQL, Postgres, or MySQL versions. Even if your database uses a Linux OS or Windows OS, Control Center pushes flexibility in all and any environment.
That sort of flexibility creates a seamless experience in cross-platforming between different kinds of database engines. Using dbWatch Control Center, you can check the status of one of your MSSQL Servers, then check the status of an Oracle Server from the comfort of one screen.
Generating a report also encompasses all registered database instances. You do not have to create a report for each instance individually; with just a click of a button, it will account for all registered instances in your local machine. That is more efficient than using multiple tools to do a single task and get an overview of your entire database environment.
dbWatch also restricts the privileges and access of other users using the application. The fine-grained access control provides needed security and control. Using the tool, you can modify access to individual users to specific modules, database connections, and authorizations.
Summary
Put it all together, dbWatch gives you the tools to go beyond simple performance tuning to manage your entire database environment. It provides optimum efficiency and cost savings while still getting the performance the business needs. In the modern age of bigger data, a tool as trusty as dbWatch will redefine how you will look at database operations.
Get you free licenses for five instances valid for six months now! dbWatch Control Center free license.
If you have any questions about dbWatch Control Center, feel free to contact me: rey@dbwatch.com
For more information, visit www.dbWatch.com or the dbWatch wiki pages
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