In-Memory OLTP Simulator Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In-Memory OLTP Simulator Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

• What is In-Memory OLTP Simulator?
  In-Memory OLTP Simulator is third-party tool that allows the user to easily create and run scenarios with different workloads against the In-Memory OLTP Engine of SQL Server®.

• What is a Simulation Scenario?
  A simulation scenario is a set of table and stored procedure definitions that generated the data structures, workload and processes that run during a simulation in In-Memory OLTP Simulator.

• Which editions of SQL Server® can be used?
  In-Memory OLTP Simulator connects and generates its database only in SQL Server editions that support In-Memory OLTP. Currently this is support in the Evaluation, Developer and Enterprise editions of SQL Server 2014, SQL Server 2016 and SQL Server 2017.

• What are the differences between the Trial and Ultimate Editions?
  The Trial Edition which is free with a time limitation of 14-days, allows running only the six standard scenarios available in the tool. The Ultimate Edition in addition to the basic functionality it allows to create and use custom simulation scenarios, generate and use multiple simulation databases as well as access the Executive Report functionality.

• Can I modify standard scenarios?
  Standard scenarios cannot be modified neither in the Trial or the Ultimate Editions. However, as an additional functionality for all users of the tool, the use can change the number of records for all standard scenarios with maximum number 1 million records.

• Can I change the number of records for standard scenarios?
  Yes, you can change the number of records for standard scenarios within the range of 100K – 1M records. You can perform this action from Configure – Scenario Manager.

• What are the system requirements for using In-Memory OLTP Simulator?
  You can find all system requirements at the download page of the tool.

• Can I generate and connect to multiple Simulator databases?
  Yes, you can do this in the Ultimate Edition.

• In case a simulation is taking too long can I interrupt it?
  You can forcibly stop the simulation using the functionality provided under the “Emergency” menu. I.e. you can choose to “Stop Simulation” as well as “Drop Scenario” in order to free-up any resources occupied by the scenario’s execution.

• What does “Initialize Scenario” do?
  It creates all the data structures as defined in the selected simulation scenario’s definition as well as it prepares the data to be processed (i.e. sample data generation, or data from other sources).

• What is “Disk-Based” mode?
  In Disk-Based execution mode, all tables are stored in disk storage. This is the “traditional” execution mode which can be found in all Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMs). The Disk-Based mode is considered as the baseline for all simulations.

• What is “Memory-Optimized” mode?
  In Memory-Optimized execution mode, all tables are loaded and processed in-memory. Under this mode, memory-optimized tables can be also combined with disk-based tables if this better suits the user’s needs.

• What is “Memory-Optimized” with “Natively-Compiled Stored Procedure” mode?
  In Memory-Optimized with Natively-Compiled Stored Procedure execution mode, the full power of SQL Server® In-Memory OLTP Engine is being utilized. Along with the memory-optimized data structures, a new special type of SQL Server® stored procedure is used. Natively compiled stored procedures are compiled when they are created (in contrast to the disk-based stored procedures where they are compiled at their first execution) thus achieving significantly faster execution.

• Where can I get more information on In-Memory OLTP Simulator?
  • Official product page
  • Facebook page