In the last couple of posts you’ve seen collection and manual analysis of Performance data. In this post let’s automate the analysis using one of the really fantastic tools called PAL – Performance Analysis of Logs. Download it from CodePlex.

Ensure that you have installed all the pre-requisites…

1. Log Parser 2.2
Log parser is a powerful, versatile tool that provides universal query access to text-based data such as log files, XML files and CSV files, as well as key data sources on the Windows® operating system such as the Event Log, the Registry, the file system, and Active Directory®. PAL uses the Log Parser tool to query perform logs and to create charts and graphs for the PAL report.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=890cd06b-abf8-4c25-91b2-f8d975cf8c07&DisplayLang=en

2. This is mandatory, even if you have MS Office 2007 or 2010 installed.

Microsoft Office Web Components 2003
Log Parser requires the Office Web Components 2003 in order to create charts.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7287252c-402e-4f72-97a5-e0fd290d4b76

3. .NET Framework 2.0 – It is highly likely that you will already have it (Check your folder… C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727)

Once you have the components installed, using PAL is relatively simple.

    Start –> All Programs –> PAL. Click Next.

    Select the performance log file. There is a sample provided in the install folder. Select and click Next

    Choose one of the items that you want to evaluate. I am selecting IIS 5.0/6.0. Click Next.

    Select the Question Variable Names and type in the Answer for all the questions. Click Next.

    Let the Analysis Interval by AUTO. Click Next

    Configure the Output path, if you wish… click Next –> Next –> Finish.

    You will see a series of text in CMD window… (depending on the size of your Perfmon Logs this analysis can take a lot of time. Be patient and let it finish). This sample blg was small and the analysis was completed in less than a minute on my laptop.

    Check the output… the Alerts are present and hyperlinked for easy navigation.

    Yes, it is that simple!!

Hope this helps,
Rahul

Quote of the day:
All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure. - Mark Twain