Database Management

Self-Led Project Plan for Database Performance Analyzer

This article provides a step-by-step guide for self-led onboarding of SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer (DPA). It covers installation, configuration, alerting, reporting, and integration with the Orion Platform to help you monitor, analyze, and optimize database performance.

First published date

8/14/2025 7:06 PM

Last published date

8/20/2025 5:05 PM

Overview

Installation & Setup

Confirm DPA Installation

Ensure DPA is installed and the architecture is understood.
DPA Architecture

Verify System Requirements

Ensure your environment meets the latest system requirements.
DPA System Requirements
Increase DPA heap memory to monitor large numbers of instances
Scale DPA for the number of databases being monitored and the number of custom metrics

Licensing

Activate your DPA license and understand the licensing model.
DPA license types

Configure Email, LDAP, and SSL (Optional)

Set up email notifications, LDAP integration, and SSL security.
Configure DPA to use Active Directory or LDAP

Create User Accounts

Set up user roles and permissions for the DPA web console.
Create a DPA user account and assign privileges
DPA roles and privileges

Navigation & Performance Analysis

Explore DPA Features

Use DPA to identify and troubleshoot performance issues
The DPA approach to investigating performance issues

Dashboard & Drilldowns

Navigate the main dashboard, drill into time slices, and explore blocking and resource metrics.
Identify blocking sessions and deadlocks with DPA
View resource metrics in DPA

Query & Table Tuning

Use the Query Advisor and Table Tuning features to optimize performance.
Access DPA query, table, or index advisors

Query Analysis Page (QPA)

Analyze SQL statements and trends.
Name SQL statements
View detailed information about a query

Alerts & Reporting

Configure Alerts

Set up alerts for wait times, resources, administrative actions, and custom SQL.
Create a DPA Wait Time alert
Create a DPA Resources alert
Create a DPA Administrative alert

DPA Reports

Generate and customize performance reports.
Create a DPA Custom alert
DPA Reports

DPA Custom Metrics

Define and monitor custom metrics for deeper insights.

SolarWinds Platform Integration

Integrate with the SolarWinds Platform

Enable DPAIM to integrate DPA with the SolarWinds Platform.
View DPA data in the SolarWinds Platform

Performance Analysis Reports

Use PerfStack to create multi-dimensional performance views.
Set up the DPA Integration Module
Troubleshooting environmental issues with Performance Analysis dashboards

Best Practices & Enhancements

Backup Configuration

Back up DPA settings before upgrades or major changes.

Validate Database Connectivity

Ensure monitored instances are reachable and polling correctly.

Use Custom Properties

Tag and organize monitored databases for easier filtering and reporting.

Schedule Reports

Automate report delivery to stakeholders.

Notes

This plan is designed for customers who prefer a self-paced onboarding experience.
- Self-Led Project Plans
For assisted onboarding, refer to SolarWinds Deployment Services.
- Deployment Scope
For troubleshooting, contact SolarWinds Support.
- Submit a Ticket

Product section

Database Performance Analyzer

Disclaimer: Please note, any content posted herein is provided as a suggestion or recommendation to you for your internal use. This is not part of the SolarWinds software or documentation that you purchased from SolarWinds, and the information set forth herein may come from third parties. Your organization should internally review and assess to what extent, if any, such custom scripts or recommendations will be incorporated into your environment. You elect to use third-party content at your own risk, and you will be solely responsible for the incorporation of the same if any.