Often you'll find yourself logged into a web or application server and need to simply test that you can get to the SQL server you've unsuccessfully been trying to point your app at. Luckily there is a nifty trick built into Windows that allows you to save the day without having to install anything on your box – and it works on both client and server operating systems just as well.
But I also want something server-side base for our enterprise build server. I am not looking for a replay feature (Yes it could do the trick but it would be difficult to program a lot of different scenarios) I've look at the following tools: RML Utilities from Microsoft; DTM DB Stress (this is the closest to what I'm looking for) SQL Stress. Database Stress Testing Software Overview. DTM DB Stress is a software for stress testing and load testing the server parts of information systems and database applications, as well as databases and servers themselves. It is suitable for solution scalability and performance testing, comparison and tuning. The tool allows users to create and configure a continuous set of requests to the server. TSQLt is specifically designed as a commercial database unit testing framework dedicated to Microsoft SQL Server. Uses T-SQL script to write unit tests that can run automatically. Tests are grouped in a schema and output can be generated in XML format or plain text. Also, helps identify ambiguous tables and stored procedures with code isolation. SQLStress - A SQL Server Stress Test Tool. SQLStress - A SQL Server Stress Test Tool. Home Overview Walkthrough Download ClickOnce Release Notes Support Disclaimer.
Your app is having trouble connecting to SQL and you don't know what's wrong.
Is something wrong with your app?
Is it a network or firewall issue?
Is SQL even there…?
The guys at Microsoft have baked a SQL Connectivity tool right into Windows with the creation of Microsoft Universal Data Link files (*.UDL) – something designed for another purpose.
These were designed as a way to save SQL connection data for use in a whole range of applications and are available on pretty much every version of Windows since *eternity*.
They also provide an awesome way to test SQL Connectivity.
To make this work simply follow the bouncing ball:
Create a new file anywhere. For arguments sake create a new Text file on your desktop
Now rename that file and change it's file extension to TestDatabase.udl (take note of the file extension).
Select 'Yes' when asked if you want to change the file extension.
This will give you a Data Link Editor that allows you to test the connection.
Pretty nifty in times of need!
(For the older web developers among us this might remind you of the panel you used for configuring a DSN for your ASP classic app… that's because it's the same panel!)