As database professionals, we have a need to benchmark performance of the database, processes, and essentially overall performance. When benchmarking, it is preferable to get a baseline and then run the same benchmark tests on a periodic basis and compare those results to the baseline.
Recently I was reminded of a couple of tools that should be in every DB Professionals vocabulary and tool set. Each one is used for a different purpose. Those tools are:
CPU-Z is a freeware app that helps you gather information about motherboard, CPU, and memory. It helps you to determine processor usage and if you are running your hardware at an optimal level.
TPC-E simulates the OLTP workload. It is designed to be representative of OLTP systems and is scalable.
Both of these tools can be of great use to the database professional. Check them out and see what you can learn by using them.
