New SQL management pack

SQL Server Blog – New SQL Management pack released!

The blog posting the pack release fell through the cracks. Released on 10 July, I’ve had some issues getting the updated MSI’s, but they’re live now. I normally use the SQL Tech Community SQL releases site https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/sql-server-blog/bg-p/SQLServer/label-name/SQLReleases

Don’t forget to look for SQL Security updates, (CU) Cumulative Updates, or (SP) Service Pack updates at the SQL releases link! https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/sql-server-blog/bg-p/SQLServer/label-name/SQLReleases

New SQL pack released

Microsoft System Center Management Pack for SQL Server enables the discovery and monitoring of SQL Server 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, and upcoming versions.

Download link https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx/?id=56203

Version:
7.6.5

File Name:
SQLServerMP.Windows.msi

SQLServerMP.CustomMonitoring.msi

SQLServerMP.Linux.msi

SQLServerMPWorkflowList.pdf <missing as of today>

Date Published:
7/10/2024

Functionality https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/system-center/scom/sql-server-management-pack-changes-history?view=sc-om-2022

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx/?id=56203

June 2024 – 7.5.19.0 CTP

What’s New

Added new “Table Clustered Index Fragmentation” monitor that targets databases and checks for high fragmentation of clustered indexes
Added new “Property Bag” step in the custom monitor setup to extend the alert context with a property from the query result
Updated the “Product Version Compliance” monitor with the most recent version of public updates for the SQL Server
Reworked the “Long Running Queries” alert rule to improve security
Improved accessibility for the Summary Dashboard view and Monitoring Wizard template, including the following major changes:
- implemented Keyboard Navigation using the A and D buttons on the tiles in the dashboard
- added the ability for the screen reader to announce buttons and errors in the SQL Server wizard
- redesigned dashboard list controls for greater accessibility

Pretty simple steps

Download and save to your SCOM server, or SCOM console connected machine

Navigate to the Administration tab

Expand Management Packs

Click on Installed Management packs

Click the Add drop-down, select the packs

Verify selections, and click Install button

Importing new SQL v7.6.5.0 packs into the SCOM Console

Click Close after import

v7.6.5.0 management packs are imported into the SCOM console

Enjoy!

Uncommon Custom MP Fragments

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Building on Kevin Holman’s MP Fragment Library are additional Uncommon Custom MP Fragments

This is the SCOM Management Pack Fragment Library which includes VSAE Fragments you can use to make SCOM management packs quickly and easily.

V1.0 has two Event Monitors with two state, two or three criteria monitors

Assumptions

Visual Studio, and the VSAE Fragments are installed

Visual Studio has a powerful plugin called VSAE (Visual Studio Authoring Extensions)
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30169

If you aren’t familar with MP fragments for authoring, see instructions at: https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/kevinholman/2016/06/04/authoring-management-packs-the-fast-and-easy-way-using-visual-studio/

Background
A Management Pack fragment is simply a bit of XML, that contains all the “working parts” for a specific workflow….

Several authors have written about the power of fragments since VSAE launched, but the biggest gap I saw can be broken up into two major issues:
•Nobody provided a good “library” of workable MP fragments
•Nobody came up with a VERY simple method to reuse fragments quickly and easily

If you can do a FIND and REPLACE in notepad, you can use this.

Kevin Holman’s MP Fragments here

Gallery download for the uncommon MP fragments https://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/Uncommon-Custom-MP-c5a12a86

Supported SQL version for System Center

I’ve also been asked what versions of SQL work with System Center, so here’s references to see what the latest supported SQL version and patch.

Here is the System Center SQL matrix

2016 https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/system-center/scom/plan-sqlserver-design?view=sc-om-2016#sql-server-requirements

2019 https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/system-center/scom/plan-sqlserver-design?view=sc-om-2019#sql-server-requirements

2012R2 https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn281933.aspx

Sizing SCOM 2012R2 and 2016

Many times, the question comes up for Microsoft sizing guidelines for Operations Manager/SCOM. The Sizing Calculator XLS is a great resource to use to help answer some of the storage and SQL DB questions as it relates to the various features you enable in your environment.

The sizing calculator takes features beyond windows agents to help size SQL and storage needs, as well as management servers.

The SCOM Sizing Calculator XLS from TechNet helps determine capacity and storage needs for 2012 and 2016. Here is the 2016 System Center SQL matrix

http://download.microsoft.com/download/C/A/6/CA60425C-950B-456E-986C-C5F2FCD5668D/System%20Center%202012%20Operations%20Manager%20Sizing%20Helper%20Tool%20v1.xls

Other SCOM features that change the Operations Manager environment

# of Unix Servers

Network monitoring

Application Performance Monitoring (APM)

URL monitoring (transactional and availability)

DB Data retention requirements