This document provides an overview of SQL Server Distributed Replay, a feature that allows replaying SQL Server workloads against test environments. It discusses the components of Distributed Replay, including the administration tool, controller, clients, and target server. The document outlines the basic steps to set up Distributed Replay and replay a workload, including capturing a trace, preprocessing it, deciding replay options, and replaying the trace. Resources for learning more about Distributed Replay are also provided.

1. Replay your workload as it’s your actual one!
Boris Hristov
SQL Server DBA, Speaker, Trainer, Blogger

2. Our Sponsors

3. So who am I?
@BorisHristov

4. How many of you…

5. Possible scenarios:
1. Application compatibility
2. Performance / Load testing
3. Forecasting

6. What tools did we have till now?

7. The Mighty Profiler

8. RML Tools
ReadTrace
Reporter
OSTRESS

9. These are cool…
… but are just not cool enough!

10. “There’s a new player in town!”
DISTRIBUTED REPLAY

11. So what’s Distributed Replay?
SQL Server 2012 feature
Available in all editions (kind of…)
Works with 2005 and higher (kind of…)

12. Distributed Replay Components
1. Administration tool – the cmd tool to manage the replay
2. DReplay Controller – the brain behind the replay
3. DReplay Client – machines(up to 16) that replay the workload
4. Target Server – The SQL Server instance you replay against

13. OK, but how are they working together?

14. DEMO
Setting up DReplay Environment
(installing gotchas)

15. Installation requirements and gotchas
1. Services must run under domain user accounts
2. Firewalls must allow the traffic of DR Components
3. DCOM permissions must be configured
4. SQL Server logins for the clients need to be created

16. So how do we issue a replay?

17. Step 1: Capture a trace!

18. Step 2: Preprocesses the .trc file/s

19. Step 3: Decide on replay mode and options

20. Step 4: Replay the preprocessed trace

21. DEMO
The Replay Process!

22. Replay your workload. The steps.
1. Capture the workload with Profiler (TSQL-Replay)
2. Preprocess the trace with “dreplay preprocess”
3. Decide on a mode – synchronization or stress
4. Replay the workload with “dreplay replay”
5. Analyze the results

23. The GUI that is in beta from 2011

24. At the end
1. The Tool for replaying mission critical workloads
2. Don’t be afraid of not having a GUI
3. Capture -> Preprocess -> Replay
4. Document, blog, share it with the community!

25. Resources
My blog – FAQ and RunAs Radio Podcast
Channel 9 - Joe Sack(SQLSkills) Intro and Demo
Jonathan Kehayias(SQLSkills) Intro and Demo
Microsoft Peace of Mind Video
MSDN Documentation
Distributed Replay GUI (in beta)
… you and me now

26. THANK YOU!