sys.dm_os_performance_counters

Returns a row per performance counter maintained by the server. For information about each performance counter, see Using SQL Server Objects.

Column name

Data type

Description

object_name

nchar(128)

Category to which this counter belongs.

counter_name

nchar(128)

Name of the counter.

instance_name

nchar(128)

Name of the specific instance of the counter. Often contains the database name.

cntr_value

bigint

Current value of the counter.

Note:

For per-second counters, this value is cumulative. The rate value must be calculated by sampling the value at discrete time intervals. The difference between any two successive sample values is equal to the rate for the time interval used.

cntr_type

int

Type of counter as defined by the Windows performance architecture. See WMI Performance Counter Types or your Windows Server documentation for more information on performance counter types.

Permission

Requires VIEW SERVER STATE permission on the server.

Remarks

If the installation instance of your SQL Server fails to display the performance counters of the Windows Operating System, use the following Transact-SQL query to confirm that performance counters have been disabled.

SELECT COUNT (*) FROM sys.dm_os_performance_counters

If the return value is 0 rows, the performance counters have been disabled. You should then look at the setup log and search for error 3409, "Reinstall sqlctr.ini for this instance, and ensure that the instance login account has correct registry permissions" This denotes that performance counters were not enabled. The errors immediately prior to the 3409 listing should indicate the root cause for the failure of performance counter enabling. For more information about setup log files, see How to: View SQL Server 2005 Setup Log Files

See Also

Reference

Dynamic Management Views and Functions
SQL Server Operating System Related Dynamic Management Views
sys.sysperfinfo (Transact-SQL)

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance

Change History

Release	History
15 September 2007	New content: Added Remarks section.