--- title: Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server monitoring with NRDOT source: https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/opentelemetry/database/mssql/introduction --- > #### 💡 PREVIEW > > We're still working on this feature, but we'd love for you to try it out! > > This feature is currently provided as part of a preview pursuant to our [pre-release policies](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/licenses/license-information/referenced-policies/new-relic-pre-release-policy/). Get deep insights into your SQL Server performance with our OpenTelemetry-based monitoring solution. Track database metrics, analyze slow queries, monitor resource usage, and correlate database performance with your applications. This NRDOT-based approach complements our existing On-Host Integration (OHI) by leveraging OpenTelemetry standards for database monitoring, making it easier to integrate with your existing observability stack. Key features: - **OpenTelemetry standards**: Integrates seamlessly with existing observability tools - **Comprehensive metrics**: 50+ database performance indicators - **Query-level insights**: Identify and optimize slow-performing queries - **Flexible deployment**: Works with self-hosted and cloud environments - **APM correlation**: Connect database performance to application traces ## Choose your installation method [#install] You can install NRDOT Collector for SQL Server monitoring in following ways: - Self-hosted environments: Manual installation on your own infrastructure - [Windows self-hosted](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/opentelemetry/database/mssql/windows-hosted) - [Linux self-hosted](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/opentelemetry/database/mssql/linux-hosted) - AWS RDS environments: Cloud-managed SQL Server monitoring: - [Windows RDS monitoring](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/opentelemetry/database/mssql/windows-rds) - [Linux RDS monitoring](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/opentelemetry/database/mssql/linux-rds) ## Guided install [#ui-install] To install this through the New Relic UI instead, go to **[one.newrelic.com](https://one.newrelic.com) > Integrations & Agents > MSSQL (OpenTelemetry)** . Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the integration. ## Installation at a glance [#at-a-glance] ### Prerequisites [#prerequisites] - New Relic account with a valid [license key](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apis/intro-apis/new-relic-api-keys/#ingest-license-key) - Network connectivity between the host where you install the NRDOT Collector and your Microsoft SQL Server. - Network connectivity to [New Relic OTLP endpoints documentation](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/opentelemetry/best-practices/opentelemetry-otlp/) - SQL Server requirements, you'll need: - SQL Server 2017 or later - Administrative access to SQL Server (`sysadmin` role or equivalent) - Network connectivity between collector and SQL Server on port `1433` or custom port - This integration is available as a part of New Relic public preview program. Check with your Organization Manager to opt in from the [Previews & Trials](https://one.newrelic.com/admin-portal/promotion-management/home) page. For supported detailed prerequisites, refer to the dedicated prerequisites section of installation document. ### Install NRDOT Collector [#install] Choose your installation path based on your infrastructure: - **Guided install**: To install via New Relic UI, go to **[one.newrelic.com](https://one.newrelic.com) > Integrations & Agents > MSSQL (OpenTelemetry)** . Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the integration. This page covers the CLI install path only. - **Self-hosted environments**: Manual installation on your own infrastructure - [Windows self-hosted](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/opentelemetry/database/mssql/windows-hosted) - [Linux self-hosted](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/opentelemetry/database/mssql/linux-hosted) - **AWS RDS environments**: Cloud-managed SQL Server monitoring - [Windows RDS monitoring](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/opentelemetry/database/mssql/windows-rds) - [Linux RDS monitoring](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/opentelemetry/database/mssql/linux-rds) ### Configure monitoring users [#user] Create a dedicated Microsoft SQL Server user with the necessary permissions to allow the NRDOT Collector to collect metrics and query performance data. The user should have read-only access to the required. ### Configure NRDOT Collector [#configure] Configure the NRDOT Collector to connect to your Microsoft SQL Server instance. This involves specifying the connection details, authentication method, and any additional configuration options required for your environment. ### Restart NRDOT Collector [#restart] After configuring the NRDOT Collector, restart the service to apply the changes and begin collecting data from your Microsoft SQL Server instance. ### Find and use your data [#find] Once your data is being collected, you can access comprehensive SQL Server database monitoring through the New Relic UI. To find your SQL Server database entity in New Relic: 1. Go to **[one.newrelic.com](https://one.newrelic.com) > All capabilities > Databases**. 2. From the **Entity type** dropdown, select **MSSQL instance**, then click **Apply**. 3. Select your SQL Server database from the list of entities to view its dashboard, metrics, and query performance data. /\* ### Set up APM-database correlation \[#correlation] To correlate your application performance with database operations, you can set up database service identification. This feature allows you to see exactly which applications are generating specific database workloads. For more information, refer to \[set up database service identification](/docs/opentelemetry/database/capabilities/db-apm/) to get APM-database correlation in New Relic. To view database performance data in APM, both entities must be in the same New Relic account. If the entities are in different New Relic accounts, you must have access to both accounts to view the data. \*/ ## Related documentation [#related-docs] [Linux instrumentation for self-hosted environments](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/opentelemetry/database/mssql/linux-hosted) Learn how to set up MSSQL monitoring in self-hosted Linux environments with New Relic. [Windows instrumentation for self-hosted environments](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/opentelemetry/database/mssql/windows-hosted) Learn how to set up MSSQL monitoring in self-hosted Windows environments with New Relic. [Metrics reference](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/opentelemetry/database/mssql/metrics-reference) Learn about the available metrics collected by the NRDOT Collector.