I was testing some of the new features in SQL Server 2008 and discovered an amazing Easter Egg. With Easter coming in a couple weeks, I thought I'd share this fun tidbit in the editorial.

In SQL Server 2008, there is a new feature called the Data Collector. It's a component that reads all types of measurements from your SQL Servers and store them in a database called the Management Data Warehouse. There are also some reports in Management Studio that allow you to track the usage of your SQL Servers over time.

However, check this out:

This report shows static activity from your server, but you can get this to update and show data in real time! And it's only a 1% CPU hit on your server. This is a great little Easter Egg you can sit on a server somewhere to show the boss that you're actively monitoring your SQL Server. You can even edit the RDL to put whatever server name you want on the report. That way you can appear to be monitoring the sales server when it's really loading your local instance.

To enable this Easter Egg, first you need to close Management Studio and then start it from the command line with the -q parameter as :"SQLWB -q". Next choose the Server Activity Report under the Data Collector.  Now press the left ALT key, the left Shift key, the "R", and it's April Fools.

Hope you've enjoyed this short note, no Easter Eggs I'm aware of in SQL Server 2008.

Steve Jones