Documentation forSQL Sentry

Configuring Settings

Note:  As a reminder, settings define criteria for when a condition is met. Certain settings known as source settings are used to define which events are collected by SQL Sentry.

Configuring Settings

To configure settings, select the desired node in the Navigator pane. 

For example, select the shared groups node to configure settings globally, or select an individual instance node to configure settings specific to just that instance. If you do not see the Settings pane once you have selected your desired node in the Navigator pane, select View > Settings to open the settings pane. Then, select the drop-down lists found in the Settings pane to select the desired settings. 

See the following examples:

To configure the Top SQL Minimum Duration Collection setting globally: 

1. Select the shared groups node in the Navigator pane.
SentryOne Navigator Pane select All Targets

2. In the Settings pane, use the top drop-down list to select SQL Server settings.
SentryOne Settings Pane Global select SQL Server

3. Use the second drop-down list to select Top SQL Source. You should now see the Top SQL Source settings that are being applied globally.SentryOne Settings Pane Global select Top SQL Source

4. Change Minimum Duration to the desired value, then select OK to save your changes.
SentryOne Settings Pane Global SQL Server Top SQL Source Minimum Duration

To configure the Top SQL Minimum Duration Collection setting for an individual instance:

1. Select the desired instance node in the Navigator pane.
SentryOne Navigator Pane select Instance

2. In the Settings pane, use the drop-down list to select Top SQL Source. You should now see the Top SQL Source settings that are being applied for that instance.SentryOne Settings Pane for Instance Top SQL Source

3. Change Inherit from Parent to false.
SentryOne Settings Pane for Instance SQL Server Top SQL Source Inherit From Parent

4. Change Minimum Duration to the desired value. It saves automatically.

SentryOne Settings Pane for Instance SQL Server Top SQL Source Minimum Duration

Adjusting Global Runtime Threshold Settings

By default, the global Runtime Threshold settings for SQL Server Agent Jobs are set at a Minimum Runtime Threshold of 10 percent and Maximum Runtime Threshold of 250 percent. This means that any time a job runs for less than 10 percent of its average runtime or longer than 250 percent of its average runtime, you'll be notified. If you find you are receiving too many notifications, these settings can be adjusted. See the following example:

To configure the SQL Server Agent Job Maximum Runtime Threshold percent globally:

1. Select the shared groups node in the Navigator Pane.

SentryOne Navgiator Pane select All Targets

2. In the Settings pane, use the top drop-down list to select SQL Server settings.

SentryOne Settings Pane Global select SQL Server

3. Use the second drop-down list to select SQL Server Agent Job. You should now see the SQL Server Agent Job settings that are configured globally.

SentryOne Settings Pane Global select SQL Server Agent Job

4. Change Maximum and Minimum Runtime Threshold Percent to the desired values.

SentryOne Settings Pane Global SQL Server SQL Server Agent Job Runtime Thresholds

Using time-based thresholds

Time-based thresholds are usually less valuable at the global level, particularly the Minimum Runtime Threshold that doesn't have much value globally. Explicit time-based thresholds tend to be more applicable at the actual instance or object level for overriding the global percentage thresholds on a case-by-case basis.

Note:  Any time an explicit time-based threshold is specified, it overrides the percentage-based thresholds for that object.

Consider a job that has a great deal of volatility in runtime such as a transaction log backup that can run from anywhere between 30 seconds and 30 minutes, with an average runtime of five minutes. To avoid unnecessary percentage-based threshold notifications for the job, set its Maximum Runtime Threshold to 35 minutes and Minimum Runtime Threshold to 20 seconds. Select either the job's node in the Navigator pane, or select an instance of the job on the calendar, then follow the previous steps to access and change the job's Runtime Threshold settings.

Additional Information: For more information about settings, see the Alerting and Responses System topic.