The CS (Consistent State) Database Rapid Review is a fixed cost package that includes a detailed analysis of the customer's database instance. This service is a short version of the Health Check. This analysis data is reviewed correlated to expose negative patterns and a set of recommendations are presented in a final report.
The CS Database Rapid Review is a 4 day engagement as shown below:
Day 1 – Installation and Configuration of Monitoring Tools
A lightweight data collection script is installed and configured. This script collects data metrics that will be analyzed for the final report. We also configure the logging parameters so we can generate a query report for analysis on day 3.
The script collects a variety of database statistics on at regular intervals such as:
- System Stats
- Cluster Stats
- Database Stats
- Table Stats
- Index Stats
The next step is a high level analysis of the database Server. In this phase we analyze the database server based on best practices and our experience as PostgreSQL Professionals. In this phase we review and analyze a number of system areas such as:
- OS Kernel settings
- PostgreSQL Configuration settings
- Memory Usage
- I/O
Day 2 – Analysis of System Architecture and Security
The system architecture is examined in light of best practices and our experience as PostgreSQL Professionals. We review and analyze areas such as:
- PostgreSQL Installation
- System Physical (Disk) Layout
- Logging Analysis
- Security and Access Configuration
- Backup and Recovery Configuration
Day 3 – Query Analysis
We examine database query activity which allows us to present recommendations that will streamline critical database usage areas. This phase includes an analysis of the following:
- Table and Index usage
- Sequential Scans
- Hit Ratios
- Planner Related Configuration
- Planner Related I/O Constants
Day 4 – Data Analysis and Report Generation
The last step is to compile all of our collected data, review the results as a team and prepare the final report. In this phase we shut down the data collection tools we installed on day 1, gather / compile all the information we collected and analyzed for the past 3 days and prepare it for a team review by the CS staff. This analysis includes looking at trends for the past 4 days in several key areas such as:
- Checkpoints
- Background writer
- Table usage
- Index usage
- Vacuum stats
Once the CS staff review is complete we compile the final report and organize the final recommendations. The final recommendation report is then presented to the client along with scope/cost estimates (and options) for implementing each of the recommendations. This allows the client to easily make an informed decision per what to tackle in house and what they may want us to assist with.