Companies deal with copious amount of data files that require large storage space. This makes databases extremely crucial. However, databases do more than just store information. Many applications access the database, and it affects the overall performance of the system. The performance of databases helps to maintain inventories, customer data, and business transactions. So, companies need to introduce database monitoring to make sure that the database is working correctly.

Metrics in Database Monitoring

Database monitoring includes several metrics. These metrics are constantly tracked and help to optimize the entire system. The metrics that can be measured during database monitoring are as follows:

• Database Infrastructure

Metrics related to the database infrastructure include CPU time, mainly what percent of it is used by the numerous database processes, the disk space available, and the memory. While monitoring the memory metrics, the percentage of virtual memory use is also included.

• Availability of Database

Most companies are migrating their on-premise databases to the Cloud and are therefore using cloud enablement services. However, it is essential to ensure that the database is readily available and accessible. This can be done through database monitoring. The metrics here are related to port and end-point database availability, database nodes using Telnet, Ping, or other similar common protocols.

• Performance

Different databases have different performance metrics. Usually, database monitoring will help determine database lock timeouts and application traces. Database monitoring of performance metrics also includes inspecting queries running very slow and data distribution in various nodes.

• Throughput

The throughput metrics help to establish a performance baseline for normal production. These metrics can help analyze the time taken to finish an update or delete command and how many read queries have been received or are in progress through database monitoring. Metrics also help determine the active database connections, data growth, use of heap memory, completed transactions, and replication lags.

• Tasks

Every database deals with specific monotonous tasks. Since these tasks are scheduled beforehand and are pretty repetitive, the manual workforce will not cope. After automation of these processes, database monitoring keeps track of maintenance tasks that include analysis and updating statistics, log rotation, compaction, vacuuming, and reindexing. Regular integrity checks are also scheduled for database maintenance tasks. Database monitoring helps to ensure that these are done as frequently as necessary.

• Logs

Database engines generate several logs which require constant monitoring. Logs usually contain system queries, user queries, database system events, and scheduled job outputs. Database monitoring ensures that the logs are recording and storing all essential information.

• Database Security

Security for the entire system is essential, and most companies invest in cyber security and compliance services. However, there has to be additional and constant security for databases as they may contain confidential information. Database monitoring for security metrics essentially means keeping track of user activity. User activity usually includes password changes, changes in database configuration, and the creation of new accounts.

Why is Database Monitoring Necessary?

Every company has a database that stores essential and sensitive information. One can use the data to predict patterns in business processes and ensure that they are functional. With the advancements in technology, companies are investing in AIOps digital transformation solutions for better automation and optimization of these processes and accurate analysis of the available data. However, for all kinds of data to be available and accessible, one needs to monitor the database. But manually monitoring is an impossible task, and it leaves room for error. Therefore, companies need to use database monitoring solutions.

Given below are some of the reasons why professionals need to ensure proper database monitoring:

• Performance Improvement

It is crucial to monitor the performance of the database. If the database is glitching, analysts and other employees will not access important information. It will also affect the business processes and thus have a negative impact on the services that the company provides. Database monitoring can check the performance and help point out the areas that may affect the database.

• Identification of Security Breaches or Risks

Security issues can arise due to malfunctioning applications on the database. Database monitoring can help identify security glitches by checking the user activity on the applications. If there is a security breach or a risk observed in any application, it can affect the entire database. Therefore, database monitoring can help in understanding what risks are involved.

• Quick Troubleshooting

Various applications draw from one particular database. Now different aspects of an application can malfunction, and this might affect the database. So quick troubleshooting is necessary. Database monitoring can identify the issues and quickly help to troubleshoot those applications. It can assist in debugging every application component.

• Early Identification of Issues

Database monitoring is usually a proactive approach. It helps to track specific patterns that may lead to a security breach. Glitches that can lead to system-wide malfunctioning can also be identified early on through database monitoring. Understanding what may cause issues before they do so can help avoid significant problems or accidents within the database.

• Application Optimization

Applications can malfunction at times. When that happens, the first place to check is the database, as risks may arise from issues there. If the database is monitored every day, it will be easier to understand what can affect the applications. Once professionals can identify the issue, they can then optimize the application.

• Monitoring Back-ups

While companies have one extensive database, back-ups are essential. Performance and security are essential for the central database as well as the back-ups. Database monitoring solutions cover the back-ups as well. Therefore, in the event of malfunctioning applications and database glitches, the back-ups can be used.

Conclusion

To receive the benefits of database monitoring, companies need to use proper tools. Most companies use data center migration planning tools. However, database monitoring tools are equally important. Professionals need to choose the right tools. The best database monitoring tools can record, store, and analyze all critical events and data.