I had written an article on SSWUG on how to track performance problems using Performance Dashboard. So, I thought it would be a good idea to blog about the new enhancements to the toolset for SQL Server 2012. The Performance Dashboard has been enhanced for SQL Server 2012 and is available for download on the Microsoft Download site.

And with this I also start the Awesomesauce series on my blog where I will keep posting about new features of SQL Server 2012 which I think are just plain awesomesauce!!

Once you install the Performance Dashboard, you need to do the following:

1. Each SQL Server instance you plan to monitor must contain the procedures and functions used by the queries in the reports.  Using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), open the setup.sql script from your installation directory (default of %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft SQL Server\110\Tools\Performance Dashboard) and run the script.  Close the query window once it completes.

2. In the Object Explorer pane in SSMS, right mouse click on the SQL Server instance node, then choose Reports-Custom Reports.  Browse to the installation directory and open the performance_dashboard_main.rdl file.  Explore the health of your server by clicking on the various charts and hyperlinks in the report.

3. All of the remaining reports are accessed as drill through operations from the main page or one of its children.  For a detailed explanation of all installation requirements and guidance on how to use the reports, please see the help file, PerformanceDashboardHelp.chm

Now that the nitty gritty details are out of the way, what will you get when you view the dashboard and you will notice the dashboard having a new entry for XEvent sessions currently active on the instance.

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