This document summarizes a presentation on monitoring SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS). It discusses why monitoring SSRS is important, what metrics can be captured like report usage, performance, and parameters used. It then overviews the SSRS architecture and describes three methods for monitoring including using built-in Microsoft features, third party tools, and querying the SSRS database directly. Automated monitoring of the SSRS database is described as the most full-featured approach.

1. SSRSInception:
Reporting on Reporting Services
Terry McCann
@SQLshark

2. What is covered?
Why do we want to monitor SSRS?
What metrics can we capture?
A overview of the SSRS Architecture.
What methods can be used to monitor SSRS?
Method 1 - Simple - Microsoft way
Method 2 – SSRS Queries from Codeplex
Method 3 – Automated SSRSDB

3. Please hold
for a
Microsoft
warning!

4. Microsoft warning
blah, blah, blah….
“The table structure for the databases is optimized for server
operations and should not be modified or tuned. Microsoft might
change the table structure from one release to the next. If you
modify or extend the database, you might limit or prevent the
capability to perform future upgrades or apply service packs.
You might also introduce changes that impair report server
operations…
All access to a report server database must be
handled through the report server…”

5. How to get the scripts
goo.gl/WRryrV

6. Why would
you want to
monitor SSRS?

7. Whywouldyou wantto monitor SSRS?
WHO is using your reports
HOW are your reports are being used
WHEN a report is used and WHEN it is not used at all (Trend history)
HOW MANYtimes is a report used & if there are performance issues
WHAT are people doing with that data
You want to see this in a VISUAL WAY – Well we are BI developers!

8. So we want …
WHEN
HOW
what
Graphical/VISUAL way
WHO
How many

9. What metrics
are captured?

10. What metrics are captured?
Grain is per report execution.
Which reports are being viewed, How often & who by?
In what format - Report, PDF, HTML?
How long is each report taking to produce?
How it was produced - User, schedule?
Which parameters were used?
Who is not using your reports!
HOW
WHO
WHat
WHen
HOW many

11. Demo 0 SSRS Architecture
goo.gl/d1vg1X

12. Method3
SSRSDB

13. Method3 – SSRSDB
Pros
Covers WHO, WHEN, HOW, HOW MANY & WHAT
A wider variety of data is captured
Extendable, maintained & FREE
Captures trends and usage history
All held within SSRS in a familiar way to users.
It does a lot more than just monitor SSRS – “Like what?” – Next slide
Cons
Requires a process to backup and restore

14. Method3 – SSRSDB
Reporting & Data Visualisations
Captures history and tracks changes
Also free and highly flexible
Suite of reports available
Source control
Captures changes to reports definition (.rdl)
Can be used as a source control
Automatic report expiration
Automatically expire reports based on age
Notify the owner that their report is not used
Controlled an a per report basis
Report theme management
Dynamically control styles and themes
Customised per report

15. Questions?
SCRIPTS -> goo.gl/WRryrV

16. Questions?

17. Have ye registered?
Over 50 hours of training
More than 25 speakers
Full day expert training
APRIL 24/25
http://sqlsatexeter.azurewebsites.net/