EOL: Bi xPress reached its end of life date on June 15, 2022. See the Solarwinds End of Life Policy for more information.
Introduction
| Feature Icon | Description |
|---|---|
 | The BI Compare add-in compares two SQL Server objects down to the property level and then displays the results. You can save the comparison, which saves the object paths and filters for easy comparison in the future. You can also export the comparison, which gives you a freeze-frame of the objects at the time that they were originally compared. |
Feature Highlights
- Compare the differences between any SSIS packages
- The providers for SQL Server and SSAS allow you to read the entire instance specified, including all databases, settings, and logins
Note: To run a comparison with SSIS packages containing third-party components, the third-party components must be installed on the machine running BI Compare.
SentryOne Workbench must be used when comparing SSIS packages on a machine that only contains SSDT for Visual Studio 2015.
Creating a Comparison Scenario
1. Select BI Compare from the SentryOne Workbench to open the New Comparison Scenario window. Enter a meaningful Name for your comparison, then select Next to continue. 
Note: Name the comparison something that relates to the items you want to compare for easy identification!
2. Select the left hand source type from the Source type drop-down menu. Configure the applicable connection settings for your source type, then select Next to continue. 
Note: In this example we have selected SQL Server as the source type, and selected the applicable connection string. Each source type has different connection requirements:
| Source Type | Connection Requirements |
|---|---|
| SQL Server | Enter the server name you want to compare, and your permissions (either Integrated or SQL Server Authority). |
| SSIS | Select your packages from the file system, SQL Server, Package Store, or 2012 Integrated Services Catalog. |
| SSAS | Enter the server name. Only Integrated Security is available for Analysis Services. |
| SSRS | Select your report objects from the file system individually, from a folder (to compare several objects at once), or from the web service. |
Note: If the source type you want to use doesn't display, you may not meet the system requirements for that provider. For more information about system requirements, see the System Requirements article.
3. Select the right hand source from the source type drop-down menu. Configure the applicable connection settings for your source type, then select Finish to begin the comparison.
Important: You must select the same source type for both sides of the comparison.
Success: You have created a comparison and are ready to navigate the view!
Navigating the Comparison
After your comparison has finished loading, one object displays on the left, and the other object displays on the right. Properties that don't match display an x, and objects that exist only on one side or the other are delimited with an arrow pointing to that side.
Note: Highlighting a line displays the value of the object and highlights the differences between them.
The following toolbar options are available:
| Button | Description |
|---|---|
| New | Starts a new comparison scenario. |
| Open | Opens a previously saved comparison file and starts the comparison. |
| Save | Saves the current comparison. This generates a file that's used to point BI Compare to the selected targets. Note: Saving the comparison only saves the object paths, and not the comparison results. To save the current comparison results, use the Export Results option. |
| Save As | Creates a new file name from the current comparison. |
| Refresh | Starts the comparison process again and generates updated results. |
| Filters | Select to include properties such as ID, StartTime, and StopTime. |
| Export Results | Creates a file that records the comparison results at the time of the comparison. |
| Switch Left/Right | Select a different object for one side of the comparison without having to create a new comparison scenario. |
| View | Explicitly filter out the types of comparison results you want to display. |
| Starting points | Adjust the left and right starting point for the comparison. By default, the left and right starting point will be set to the root of the source. Adjusting the left and/or right starting points is an excellent way to compare the same item that has been moved from one environment to another. |
