Monitor Disk Usage

Applies to: SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server uses Microsoft Windows operating system input/output (I/O) calls to perform read and write operations on your disk. SQL Server manages when and how disk I/O is performed, but the Windows operating system performs the underlying I/O operations. The I/O subsystem includes the system bus, disk controller cards, disks, tape drives, CD-ROM drive, and many other I/O devices. Disk I/O is frequently the cause of bottlenecks in a system.

Monitoring disk activity involves two areas of focus:

• Monitoring disk I/O and detecting excess paging

• Isolating disk activity that SQL Server creates

For more information on how to troubleshoot I/O issues in SQL Server, see Slow I/O - SQL Server and disk I/O performance.

Related content

• Monitor Resource Usage (Performance Monitor)