The Microsoft SQL Server Distributed Replay feature helps you assess the impact of future SQL Server upgrades. You can also use it to help assess the impact of hardware and operating system upgrades, and SQL Server tuning.
Similar to SQL Server Profiler, you can use Distributed Replay to replay a captured trace against an upgraded test environment. Unlike SQL Server Profiler, Distributed Replay is not limited to replaying the workload from a single computer.Distributed Replay offers a more scalable solution than SQL Server Profiler. With Distributed Replay, you can replay a workload from multiple computers and better simulate a mission-critical workload.The Microsoft SQL Server Distributed Replay feature can use multiple computers to replay trace data and simulate a mission-critical workload. Use Distributed Replay for application compatibility testing, performance testing, or capacity planning.- MSDN
While installing SQL Server 2012 RC 0, If you have chosen to install ‘Distributed Replay Controller’ and ‘Distributed Replay Client’ (as shown below), You might come across an error later on while configuring access for Distributed Replay Controller.
- If you have selected ‘Distributed Controller Utility’ in ‘Feature Selection’ step during installation
While installation ,in the below screen, if you try to add a user by adding ‘Current User’ or using the ‘Add User’ option
- And, you try to add users using ‘Add Current User’ or ‘Add’ Button..
You might get following error :-
- You might encounter above error!
Which reads :-
SQL Server Setup has encountered the following error: There was a failure to validate setting CTLRUSERS in validaton function ValidateUsers. Error code 0x85640004.
The error forces the SQL Server set up process to abort and you have start the installation from the beginning.
SCENARIO :-
- Installation is being performed on a standalone system with no access to Active Directory.
- Installation is being performed on a Virtual Machine with no access to Active Directory.
- Active Directory is inaccessible due to any reason.
REASON :-
SQL Server Distributed Replay Controller service account and SQL Server Distributed Replay Client service account must be a domain account. Local accounts are not supported. (Refer MSDN for access and privileges for running Distributed Replay Utility)
SOLUTION :-
Install the Distributed Replay Utility without configuring the users. Click on ‘Next’ in user selection screen and proceed without adding user. This can be done later.Refer how to Modify the Controller and Client Services Accounts .
To know more about Distributed Replay utility see:-
- Installing and Configuring SQL Server 2012 Distributed Replay – Jonathan Kehayias
- SQL Server 2012 (“Denali”): Distributed Replay – James Serra
- Post queries regarding Distributed Replay utility – Microsoft
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