--- title: "Get-DbaPfDataCollectorCounterSample" description: "Retrieves real-time performance counter samples from SQL Server systems for monitoring and troubleshooting." url: "https://dbatools.io/Get-DbaPfDataCollectorCounterSample/" availability: "Windows only" tags: ["Performance", "DataCollector", "PerfCounter"] author: "Chrissy LeMaire (@cl), netnerds.net" source: "https://github.com/dataplat/dbatools/blob/master/public/Get-DbaPfDataCollectorCounterSample.ps1" last_updated: "2024-01-01" --- # Get-DbaPfDataCollectorCounterSample ## Synopsis Retrieves real-time performance counter samples from SQL Server systems for monitoring and troubleshooting. ## Description Collects performance counter data from Windows Performance Monitor collector sets and individual counters on SQL Server systems. This function wraps PowerShell's Get-Counter cmdlet to provide structured performance data that DBAs use for monitoring CPU, memory, disk I/O, and SQL Server-specific metrics. You can capture single snapshots for quick checks or continuous samples for ongoing monitoring during troubleshooting sessions. The output integrates seamlessly with Get-DbaPfDataCollectorCounter to build comprehensive performance monitoring workflows. ## Syntax ```powershell Get-DbaPfDataCollectorCounterSample [[-ComputerName] ] [[-Credential] ] [[-CollectorSet] ] [[-Collector] ] [[-Counter] ] [-Continuous] [[-ListSet]] [[-MaxSamples] ] [[-SampleInterval] ] [[-InputObject] ] [-EnableException] [] ``` ## Examples ### Example 1: Gets a single sample for all counters for all Collector Sets on localhost ```powershell PS C:\> Get-DbaPfDataCollectorCounterSample ``` ### Example 2: Gets a single sample for all counters for all Collector Sets on localhost ```powershell PS C:\> Get-DbaPfDataCollectorCounterSample -Counter '\Processor(_Total)\% Processor Time' ``` ### Example 3: Gets 10 samples for all counters for all Collector Sets for servers sql2016 and sql2017 ```powershell PS C:\> Get-DbaPfDataCollectorCounter -ComputerName sql2017, sql2016 | Out-GridView -PassThru | Get-DbaPfDataCollectorCounterSample -MaxSamples 10 ``` ### Example 4: Gets a single sample for all counters for all Collector Sets on sql2017 ```powershell PS C:\> Get-DbaPfDataCollectorCounterSample -ComputerName sql2017 ``` ### Example 5: Gets a single sample for all counters for the 'System Correlation' CollectorSet on sql2017 and sql2016 using... ```powershell PS C:\> Get-DbaPfDataCollectorCounterSample -ComputerName sql2017, sql2016 -Credential ad\sqldba -CollectorSet 'System Correlation' ``` Gets a single sample for all counters for the 'System Correlation' CollectorSet on sql2017 and sql2016 using alternative credentials. ### Example 6: Gets a single sample for all counters for the 'System Correlation' CollectorSet ```powershell PS C:\> Get-DbaPfDataCollectorCounterSample -CollectorSet 'System Correlation' ``` ### Optional Parameters ##### -ComputerName The target computer where performance counters will be collected. Defaults to localhost. Use this when monitoring remote SQL Server systems or collecting performance data from multiple servers simultaneously. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | $env:COMPUTERNAME | ##### -Credential Allows you to login to servers using alternative credentials. To use: $scred = Get-Credential, then pass $scred object to the -Credential parameter. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -CollectorSet Specifies which Performance Monitor Data Collector Set to sample counters from. Accepts wildcard patterns for matching multiple sets. Use this to focus on specific pre-configured collector sets like 'System Performance' or custom SQL Server monitoring sets instead of sampling all available counters. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | DataCollectorSet | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -Collector Specifies which individual Data Collector within a Collector Set to sample from. Accepts wildcard patterns. Use this when you need samples from specific collectors rather than all collectors in a set, such as targeting only SQL Server-related collectors. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | DataCollector | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -Counter Specifies individual performance counter paths to sample in the standard format like '\Processor(_Total)\% Processor Time' or '\SQLServer:Buffer Manager\Page life expectancy'. Use this when you need specific counters for targeted troubleshooting rather than sampling all available counters from collector sets. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -Continuous Enables continuous sampling until you press CTRL+C instead of taking a single snapshot. Combine with SampleInterval to control timing between samples. Use this during active troubleshooting sessions when you need to monitor performance trends in real-time, such as during query execution or system load events. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | False | ##### -ListSet Lists available performance counter sets on the target computers without collecting samples. Supports wildcard patterns for filtering. Use this to discover what counter sets are available before running collection commands, especially useful when working with unfamiliar systems or custom monitoring configurations. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -MaxSamples Specifies the maximum number of samples to collect from each counter before stopping. Default is 1 sample. Use this when you need a specific number of data points for analysis, such as collecting 60 samples at 1-second intervals to get one minute of baseline performance data. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | 0 | ##### -SampleInterval Sets the time interval between samples in seconds with a minimum and default of 1 second. Use this to control sampling frequency based on your monitoring needs - shorter intervals for active troubleshooting or longer intervals for baseline collection to reduce overhead. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | 0 | ##### -InputObject Accepts the object output by Get-DbaPfDataCollectorCounter via the pipeline. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | true (ByValue) | | Default Value | | ##### -EnableException By default, when something goes wrong we try to catch it, interpret it and give you a friendly warning message. This avoids overwhelming you with "sea of red" exceptions, but is inconvenient because it basically disables advanced scripting. Using this switch turns this "nice by default" feature off and enables you to catch exceptions with your own try/catch. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | False | ## Outputs **PSCustomObject (when -Continuous is not specified)** Returns one object per counter sample collected from Performance Monitor. **Default display properties (via Select-DefaultView):** - ComputerName: The computer name of the SQL Server instance - DataCollectorSet: The name of the parent Data Collector Set - DataCollector: The name of the Data Collector - Name: The counter name/path - Timestamp: DateTime of the counter collection - Path: The counter path in standard Performance Monitor format - InstanceName: The instance name from the counter sample - CookedValue: The processed/calculated counter value (double) - RawValue: The raw counter value before processing (long) - SecondValue: The secondary value for certain counter types (long) - MultipleCount: Multiple count value for the sample (int) - CounterType: The type of performance counter (PerformanceCounterType) - SampleTimestamp: The timestamp of the individual sample (datetime) - SampleTimestamp100NSec: Timestamp in 100-nanosecond intervals (long) - Status: Status of the sample (PerformanceCounterSampleStatus) - DefaultScale: Default scaling factor for the counter (int) - TimeBase: Time base value for the counter (long) **Additional properties available:** - Sample: Collection of counter samples (excluded from default view) System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounterSampleData (when -Continuous is specified) When -Continuous is specified, returns raw output from PowerShell's Get-Counter cmdlet providing continuous real-time counter samples until interrupted with CTRL+C. --- Part of [dbatools](https://dbatools.io/), a free and open source PowerShell module for SQL Server administration. Full command index: https://dbatools.io/commands/