How to test if a SQL Server 2008 database can serve 200 concurent users

Question

I have a SQL Server 2008 database in 3NF.

I must check if the db can support many concurent users.

Which is the best method ?

Is there any free tool to do this ?

Thank you very much.

Answer 1

Since uses are hopefully not accessing the database directly you must have some front end, that is where I would perform my load test. You can use TFS to do load tests as well as Selenium.

Answer 2

The database design and the queries you run against it are vital; no generic answer can be reliable.

I recommend you start with the MS SQL community's benchmark tools.

Answer 3

Assuming that you have created some kind of web front end that queries your database, then the excellent open source tool Sahi would really help you out. The test toolkit allows you to simulate multiple users using your website - and therefore your database.

Answer 4

SQLQueryStress - http://www.datamanipulation.net/SQLQueryStress/documentation/documentation.asp

and

SQLStress - http://www.sqlstress.com/Overview.aspx

Both look like a good fit for what you want to do.