10 DBA Tools for Managing Microsoft SQL Server

In this article, we would outline 10 important tools for DBAs.

SQL Server Management Studio(SSMS)
Dataedo
Sportlight
SSDT
SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer(DPA)
Microsoft Visual Studio
Longitude
Database Migration Assistance
SQL Web Data Administrator
MySQL WorkBench

1. SQL Server Management Studio(SSMS)

SSMS I would say is the DBA tool I have used the most! It is used for configuration, management and administration of Microsoft SQL Server databases. You can use it to design tables, views, stored procedures and other database objects.

It provides both scripting and GUI features

Download SQL Management Studio here for free

2. Dataedo

This is a very important DBA tool for creating database documentation. With this tool you can import your database and then it reads your data schemas and then lets you provided description for data elements such as tables, columns, views and stored procedures.

Get Dataedo here.

3. Sportlight

This tool created by Quest, helps you monitor and optimize your SQL server database performance. According to their website, you can do this from any device. Some of the benefits are:

efficiently diagnose real-time issues with your server
improve database performance
gain insight into all aspects of your database
achieve high availability(HA)

Get Sportlight trial version here

4. SQL Server Data Tools(SSDT)

According to the SSDT documentation, this tools helps you to build SQL Server relational databases, Analytics Services(AS) data models, Integration Services(IS) packages and Reporting Services (RS) reports. To be used, SSDT is added as an extension to MS Visual Studio.

5. SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer (DPA)

This is a performance monitoring and analysis tool developed by SolarWinds. It provides interface for visualising various aspects of the system including execution plans, SQL statements, blocking, deadlocks etc. It also provides realtime and historical analysis. According to their website, the features include:

query performance analysis
real-time and historic monitoring
blocking and deadlock analysis
anomaly detection
intuitive performance analysis

You can try DPA for free here

6. Microsoft Visual Studio(VS)

This is a very powerful IDE(Integrated Development Environment) from Microsoft that used for building applications. It includes code which supports intellisense and code refactoring. VS can easily be used to managed MS SQL server databases.

Download Visual Studio for free here

7. Longitude for Database Monitoring

Longitude is a database monitoring tool developed by Heroix for monitoring databases including Oracle, MS SQL and MySQL. According to their website, it proactively monitors for problem areas by evaluating key performance and availability metrics ensuring the at databases perform optimally. Some of the features include:

automatic collection of database performance metrics
generates comprehensive performance reports
generates alerts on performance problems

Get free trial here

8. Database Migration Assistance (DMA)

DMA provides the features for upgrade of a database by detecting potential compatibility issued that may impact the functionality of the new SQL Server version. It also recommends peformance and reliability improvements for the target environment. Then it allows you to efficiently move both your data and schema to the new platform.

Get DMA for free here

9. SQL Web Data Administrator (SqlWebAdmin)

This is one of the oldest tools for DBAs. SQLWebAdmin enables you to easily manage you SQL database server from anywhere via a browser interface. It allows you to perform the following from a web interface:

create, edit and manage databases in SQL Server
perform ad-hoc queries against databases and save them locally
import and export database schema and data
manage users and roles
create, view and edit stored procedure

Download SqlWebAdmin from here

10. MySQL WorkBench

Just like the name suggest, MySQL Workbench is used for managing MySQL databases. It is a unified tool for both developers and DBAs. It can be used for data modelling, SQL development and database administration.