• SQL 2005 performance tools enhance administrative control over servers.rackmount server farm datacenter image by Adryn from Fotolia.com
  
  Performance tools made for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 are designed to increase productivity by making it easier to manage, administer and set up their parent program. These tools encompass a wide variety of functions ranging from building data management solutions to tracking server performance and mapping network relationships. They come in a variety of packages that are each designed to fulfill a specific type of task related to enhancing the performance of SQL Server 2005.
  
  

Integration Services

• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Integration Services is an add-on package for SQL Server 2005 that provides a number of solutions for manipulating data efficiently. Also known as SSIS, this tool set is also used by administrators to design and carry out SQL Server maintenance plans.
  
  

Best Practices Analyzer

• Another product used to optimize databases is Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Best Practices Analyzer. This software gathers and evaluates information gathered from the settings of its parent program to spot potential problems. BPA uses a predefined list of settings recommendations to improve efficiency for SQL Server 2005 users. These recommendations are implemented based on the information collected about the system it is operating on.
  
  

SQL Performace Dashboard

• This program is used to identify performance issues and their causes. It allows the server administrator to identify data bottlenecks and what parts of the network are causing them. It is specifically focused on identifying sources of I/O and CPU bottle-necking and resolving blocking and latching issues.
  
  

Health and History Tool

• SQLH2 is the short name for Microsoft's SQL Server Health and History Tool. This program collects and stores information from SQL Server. Using this data, SQLH2 generates reports to determine how SQL is being utilized. It specifically monitors what features are being used, how long the server has been running, the configuration settings of machines and software interacting with the SQL database, and performance counters.