Database Monitoring

What is Database Monitoring?

Database Monitoring is used to track database performance to create and maintain a functioning application infrastructure. information is collected from a database and any connected applications. Dynatrace then delivers automatic root-cause analysis for performance problems with your database services.


 

screenshot of database monitoring page pf dynatrace

Dynatrace Databases App:

Monitor, Analyze, and Optimize All Your Databases from a Single Interface

Introduction:

Dynatrace has introduced Databases, an innovative observability app designed for Database Administrators (DBAs), and Application Owners. This new solution provides an all-in-one monitoring platform, helping teams quickly assess database availability, performance, security incidents, and optimization opportunities.

With organizations managing multiple database technologies across diverse infrastructures, keeping track of performance issues, anomalies, and security threats can be complex. The Dynatrace Databases App simplifies this challenge by offering a single-pane view across all databases, reducing reliance on multiple management tools and enabling faster problem resolution.

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Key Features of the Dynatrace Databases App

Managing multiple databases across different platforms is now effortless with Dynatrace.

✅ Unified Observability: Monitor all databases alongside applications and infrastructure from a single dashboard.
✅ End-to-End Visibility: Gain insights into services, hosts, instances, tablespaces, and other performance-impacting elements.
✅ Efficient Troubleshooting: No need for separate proprietary tools—view database architecture, performance, and connectivity in one place.

Why It Matters:
Many organizations rely on multiple database management tools, leading to scattered workflows and inefficient issue resolution. With Dynatrace Databases, all monitoring data is consolidated, enabling faster and more effective database health tracking.

Dynatrace simplifies the daily monitoring routine by providing a clear overview of database performance and efficiency.

✅ Real-Time Insights: Instantly see which databases need attention and identify slow queries.
✅ Performance Summary Charts: View the most time-consuming queries and database usage trends.
✅ Proactive Problem Solving: Quickly pinpoint performance bottlenecks and optimize queries.

Example Use Case: A DBA starts the day with a quick overview of monitored databases, identifying a slow-performing query that needs immediate optimization.

Dynatrace offers in-depth tracking of database health, including storage, usage, and efficiency.

✅ Monitor Disk Space & Tablespaces: Track database storage utilization and prevent disruptions due to low free space.
✅ Database Instance Health: See a detailed list of all monitored database instances, along with their status and performance trends.
✅ Historical Trends & Forecasting: Predict potential performance issues before they happen.

Example Use Case: A DBA detects that a critical tablespace is nearing full capacity and takes proactive action to increase storage before a failure occurs.

Dynatrace enables deep performance analysis of SQL queries and database statements.

✅ Identify Slow Queries: Discover which statements are consuming the most resources.
✅ Optimize Database Performance: Adjust and fine-tune queries to reduce execution time.
✅ Monitor Query Performance Trends: See long-term trends to improve system efficiency.

Example Use Case: A DBA notices that a frequently used SQL query is taking too long to execute and optimizes it to improve system response times.

Dynatrace is continuously improving the Databases App to provide even more powerful features. Upcoming updates include:

  • Query Execution Plan Analysis: Gain deeper insights into query performance by accessing execution plans.
  • Database Log Monitoring: Introduce comprehensive log tracking for better security and operational visibility.
  • Automated Monitoring Candidate Discovery: Identify which databases need monitoring faster and with less manual configuration.
  • Enhanced Application & Infrastructure Integration: Unify all database-related monitoring needs within a single, powerful interface.

Databases Technology Options

  • Oracle

    Object-relational database management system

    Monitors your Oracle Database services across all platforms

  • MSSQL

    Monitors SQL Server databases across all platforms

    Provides visibility to individual MSSQL commands

  • PostgreSQL

    Object-relational database management system

    Handles small single-machine apps to larger internet-facing apps

  • MySQL

    Provides continuous insights and root-cause analysis

    Categorizes activities on your MySQL instances

    Monitors databases across all platforms

  • MongoDB

    Provides detailed metrics for every single database statement

    Source-available cross-platform document-oriented database program

Setup and Configuration

Pre-Requisite

Database monitoring technologies require specific permissions that you may not have, therefore the DBA needs to create an account for you. For special admin access you can do either of the following:

  1. Contact the DBA team
  2. Contact the Enterprise Monitoring team through a ServiceNow form submission
    1. Be sure to provide a specific subject and description on what you need access for.
    2. e.g. Subject: Special admin access for Oracle database monitoring Description: I need a username and password for special access so that I can setup Oracle Database Insights

Configuration

  1. Navigate to the Hub and type “MSSQL” in the search bar
  2. Click on Microsoft SQL Server with the word Installed next to it
  3. Select Configure
  4. Select Add configuration
    1. This will add a completely new configuration and requires authentication parameters
    2. For DBA team - there are three sets of credentials saved in the credential vault which can be used
  5. The DBA team has two configurations set up - Production & Non-production. Endpoints can be added to these by selecting the three dots under Actions > Edit
  1. Navigate to the Hub and type “PostgreSQL” in the search bar
  2. Click on PostgreSQL with the word Installed next to it
  3. Select Configure
  4. Select Add configuration
    1. This will add a completely new configuration and requires authentication parameters
    2. For DBA team - there are three sets of credentials saved in the credential vault which can be used
  5. The DBA team a configuration set up (FTS_DBA). If you’d like to add more servers to this configuration, Endpoints can be added by selecting the three dots under Actions > Edit
  1. Navigate to the Hub and type “Oracle” in the search bar
  2. Click on Oracle Database with the word Installed next to it
  3. Select Configure
  4. Select Add configuration
    1. This will add a completely new configuration and requires authentication parameters
    2. For DBA team - there are three sets of credentials saved in the credential vault which can be used
  5. The DBA team has a configuration set up (Oracle PROD). If you’d like to add more servers to this configuration, Endpoints can be added by selecting the three dots under Actions > Edit
  1. Navigate to the Hub and type “MySQL” in the search bar
  2. Click on MySQL (remote monitoring) with the word Installed next to it
  3. Select Configure
  4. Select Add configuration
    1. This will add a completely new configuration and requires authentication parameters
    2. For DBA team - there are three sets of credentials saved in the credential vault which can be used
  5. The DBA team has a configuration set up (FTS_DBA). If you’d like to add more servers to this configuration, Endpoints can be added by selecting the three dots under Actions > Edit
  1. Navigate to the Hub and type “MongoDB” in the search bar
  2. Click on MongoDB (local or remote monitorng) with the word Installed next to it
  3. Select Configure
  4. Select Add configuration
    1. This will add a completely new configuration and requires authentication parameters
    2. For DBA team - there are three sets of credentials saved in the credential vault which can be used

Useful Links

FAQ

  • No, this is a default Dynatrace feature starting at version 1.173


 

  • It is recommended that you do, so that you get a better overall picture of what’s going on in your database

The Dynatrace Databases App ensures efficient storage usage by:

  • Monitoring tablespace utilization to prevent storage shortages.
  • Sending alerts when free space is low, allowing proactive management.
  • Providing recommendations on storage expansion or optimization.

Yes! The Dynatrace Databases App is designed for multi-database, multi-cloud, and hybrid environments. It allows you to:

  • Monitor different database technologies (SQL, NoSQL, Cloud DBs) from a single interface.
  • Track interactions between databases and applications for full-stack observability.
  • Compare performance metrics across multiple vendors to optimize infrastructure decisions.