Define an SQL Server Server Audit

Use the SQL Server Server Audit Editor to define the actions on the server to audit and for whom. In addition, define the physical file that is used to contain the audit data.

To define an SQL Server server audit

1. Click Model, Target - SQL Server, Server, Audits.

   The SQL Server Server Audit Editor opens.

2. Select the server audit in the Navigation Grid that you want to define and work with the following options:

   Note: Click New on the toolbar to create a server audit. Use the Enter filter text box to filter a large list of server audits to locate the one that you want to define.

   Name

   Specifies the name of the server audit. You can change the name of the server audit in this field.

   Type

   Specifies the location for the audit trail. Select File, Application Log, or Security Log from the drop-down.

   Enabled

   Specifies the status of the audit.

   Generate

   Generates SQL during forward engineering. Clear the check box if you do not want to generate SQL.

3. Click the General tab and work with the following options:

   Audit Options

   Lets you specify the following options for the server audit:

   Queue Delay

   Specifies the maximum time to wait, in milliseconds, before writing audit information to disk. Enter a value in this field.

   Failure Action

   Specifies the action to take upon failure to write an audit entry. Select an action from the drop-down.

   Audit GUID

   Specifies the GUID for the audit on a mirrored database. Enter the GUID in this field.

   Where

   Specifies the predicate expression that helps SQL Server determine the events that must be processed. The maximum number of characters you can enter is 3000.

   Audit File Options

   Lets you specify the following options for the audit file.

   Note: These options are available only if the server audit type is File, as specified in the Navigation Grid.

   File Path

   Specifies the location of the audit file. Enter the location in this field.

   Max Size

   Specifies the maximum size of the audit file. Enter a value in this field.

   Maximum Rollover Files

   Specifies the maximum number of audit files to retain. Enter a value in this field.

   Max Files

   Specifies the maximum number of audit files that can be created.

   Reserve Disk Space

   Specifies whether disk space must be preallocated. Select an option from the drop-down list.

4. (Optional) Click the Comment tab and enter any comments that you want to associate with the object.
5. (Optional) Click the Where Used tab to view where the object is used within the model.
6. (Optional) Click the UDPtab to work with user-defined properties for the object.
7. (Optional) Click the Notestab to view and edit user notes.
8. (Optional) Click the Extended Notes tab to view or edit user notes.
9. Click Close.

   The server audit is defined and the SQL Server Server Audit Editor closes.