3. Data Collector Sets
The Data Collector Sets subfolder is a vital
feature available within the Performance Monitor snap-in. The purpose
of a data collector set is to review or log system performance data.
This is achievable through a single component that encompasses
organized multiple data collection points. This information can then be
analyzed to diagnose problems, correct system performance issues, or
create baselines.
Performance counters, event trace data, and
system configuration information are all data collector elements that
can be captured and contained in a data collector set. Data collector
sets can be based on a predefined template, from a data collector set
that already exists, by creating it manually, with a wizard, or it can
be user defined. Data collector sets can be exported and used for
multiple systems, easing the administrative load involving the
configuration of new systems producing more effective monitoring.
Wizards facilitate the creation of data collector sets and enable an
administrator to quickly create collections based on server roles or
the type of information that is required.
Note
To create data collector sets, you must be a
member of the Administrators group or logged on with an account that is
a member of the Performance Log Users group.
Creating Data Collector Sets
You can create data collector sets manually
from a template or from Performance Monitor. The following examples
will help you understand the different methods for creating data
collector sets.
To create a data collector set from Performance Monitor, follow these steps:
1. In the Performance Monitor console, navigate to Performance Monitor.
2. Add counters based
on items you want to capture. For this example, the following counters
were used: Memory - Pages/Sec, Physical Disk - Avg.Disk Queue Length,
and Processor - % Processor Time.
3. After the counters
are added, right-click Performance Monitor in the navigation tree,
select New, and then select Data Collector Set. The Create New Data
Collector Set Wizard is launched.
4. Enter a name for this new data collector set on the Create New Data Collector Set page, and then click Next.
5. On the next page,
specify where you want the data to be saved. The default path is the
%systemdrive%\PerfLogs\. Click Finish to save the current settings and
exit or click Next to enter a user account to run as.
6. Click the Change button to enter a user for this dataset.
7. Select the option
to Save and Close or Start This Data Collector Set Now, and then click
Finish to complete the data collector set creation process.
You can configure the resulting data
collector set to run immediately by right-clicking the new data
collector set and selecting Start. You can view the properties of the
data collector set by right-clicking and selecting Properties.
Data collector sets can be created, saved, or
restored from templates. Many templates are built in and can be created
using the Create New Data Collector Set Wizard in Windows Performance
Monitor. This wizard is invoked by right-clicking the User Defined
folder, the Event Trace Sessions folder, or the Startup Event Trace
Sessions folder under Data Collector Sets and selecting New, Data
Collector Set.
To create a data collector set from a template, follow these steps:
1. Expand the Data Collector Sets folder and then the User Defined subfolder in the Performance Monitor snap-in.
2. Right-click the User Defined subfolder and select New Data Collector Set to launch the Create New Data Collector Set Wizard.
3. Enter a name for this new data collector set, select the Create from a Template option, and then click Next.
4. On the next page, select the desired template to use, and then click Next.
Note
The Create New Data Collector Set Wizard
offers four templates for creating Data Collector Sets: Basic, System
Diagnostics, System Performance, and WDAC Diagnostics. Use the Basic
template when you want create a basic data collector set. The System
Diagnostics template generates a report detailing the status of local
hardware resources, system response times, system information, and
configuration data. The Systems Performance template is leveraged when
you want to not only generate a report detailing the status of local
hardware resources and system response times, but also processes on the
local computers. In summary, the Basic template usually provides basic
diagnostics, the Systems Diagnostics template is good for maximizing
performance and streamlining system operations, the System Performance
template is a good choice when you want to identify performance issues,
and the WDAC Diagnostics template is used for performing analyzing WDAC
components. Each of the templates can be edited after they have been
created. In addition, it is possible to click the Browse button and
import templates from other servers.
5. On the next page,
specify where you want the data to be saved. The default path is the
%systemdrive%\PerfLogs\. Click Finish to save the current settings and
exit or click Next to enter a user account to run as.
6. Click the Change button to enter a user for this data collector set.
7. Select the
option to Save and Close, Start This Data Collector Set Now, or Open
Properties for This Data Collector Set, and then click Finish to
complete the data collector set creation process.
