Overview

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  Like any computer, a server may not perform as well when it is running several process simultaneously, especially if those processes are complex. Database stress-testing tools allow the user, such as a server administrator, to monitor how well a database management system and the server on which it is installed will react to simulations of simultaneous processes. By performing these tests, administrators can make appropriate changes to increase the efficiency of the database before employing it in a full-scale project.
  
  

DTM DB Stress

• This utility tests server parts, applications, database management systems (DBMS) and servers on Windows (XP, Vista and 7; Server 2003 and 2008) systems. DTM DB Stress provides reports and statistics after a user employs a stress test on his server. In addition to this, users can automate the process by entering prompts in the command line. DTM DB Stress also allows users to schedule tests to occur on a frequent basis.
  
  Users can download and use a trial version of the tool. The trial limits the user to two tasks (tests) per project, and the software will alert the user to purchase the full version 30 seconds after every project deployment and when the user closes the program. Users can purchase the "Standard" or "Professional" versions of the software. There is a bundled "Professional" version that includes plugins as well. They can also purchase an annual support and update subscription.
  
  

Hammerora

• Database administrators can use Hammerora to run load tests on MySQL and Oracle (8i,9i,10g and 11g) server applications. Hammerora is a an open source utility that is available for free, from Source Forge, where users can post inquiries on the official support forum. This utility works on Windows and Linux servers. Steve Shaw, a computing major and database administrator with extensive experiencing using Oracle, originally created this tool to test Oracle servers and has since added MySQL support. Users can stress test the server and the database as well as web-based HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) environments. Hammerora includes premade simulations that users can deploy to test their servers and databases, immediately out of the box.
  
  Database administrators can use the default editor pane to load, write or convert a trace file to create a script written in TCL (Tool Command Language), the language that the software uses to interact with Oracle and MySQL databases.
  
  

Benchmark Factory

• Benchmark Factory is a consumer database stress testing tool by Quest Software. Users can employ Benchmark Factory to test the efficiency of their databases after making hardware or software changes or as a monitoring tool even when no changes have occurred. Benchmark Factory comes with "out-of-the-box industry standard benchmarks" to allow users to run stress tests that simulate real database activity, immediately.
  
  This software is available for Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, Sybase, MySQL and other databases on Microsoft Windows (XP Professional, Vista and Windows 7) and Windows Server (2000, 2003 and 2008) operating systems. Benchmark requires 512MB of RAM and 120MB of hard drive space to work properly.
  
  Users can download a trial version of Benchmark Factory after registering an account on the website. Users can purchase a full license for the product after contacting Quest and requesting a price quote.