Working with the SharePoint Health Analyzer in SharePoint Foundation 2010

Dipal Choksi
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In this article, we will take a look at the features of the SharePoint Health Analyzer in SharePoint Foundation 2010 and some details on extending it by creating custom Health Rules.

What is the SharePoint Health Analyzer?

Provides a tool for admins to schedule automatic checks
Can maintain the farm health against potential configuration, performance and usage problems.
Health checks are implemented through Health Rules
Rules List is available on Central Admin - Monitoring - Health Analyzer - Review rule definitions. Use the Rule list to edit settings or disable the rule.
Used at Farm level.

What is a Health Rule?

Many health rules are provide OOTB and custom health rules can be created.
Works on farm level and is a preventive aid.
It monitors configuration, performance, availability or security.
Designed to be short and simple. Should not place load on farm resources.
Work on a periodic schedule as set by the Farm Administrator
A Rule = Assembly - Derives from SPHealthAnalysisRule or SPRepairableHealthAnalysisRule
Rule classes implement the Check() method: detect and report a health issue
Repairable rules additionally implement the Repair() method
The following inherited properties are also implemented in the Rule class - Summary, Explanation, Remedy, Category and ErrorLevel properties, AutomaticExecutionParameters property
AutomaticExecutionParameters property - default settings for the timer job to schedule the Rule processing.
Once the Health Rule is developed, it can be tested by instantiating the Rule class, invoking the Check() method and validating the method's return value.
Deployment - can done through a Feature - in the FeatureActivate Event Handler, the Rule is registered by invoking the SPHealthAnalyzer.RegisterRule(Assembly) method.
RegisterRule method - creates a timer job with the frequency based on Rule's AutomaticExecutionParameters property and adds an item for the rule in the Health Analyzer Rule list.
In the long term, the deployment is usually handled through a Solution to provide ease of maintenance within the server farm.
How is Rule Administration handled?

Rule Administration: Administrators view and edit settings for Health Rules via the Rules List through Central Admin.
Rules List in the Object Model: SPHealthRulesList - Subclass of SPList
Rules List: SPHealthRulesList.Local property (uses unmanaged resources - disposal handled by the developer)

Where can the Health Check Results be accessed?

The Health check results are provided in the form of Status reports available on the Central Administration site.
Reports contain info on the issue, the servers associated with the problem and steps for remedy.
Automatic repairs are carried out where configured and are logged in the Status Report.
Results of the latest health check: Central Admin - Monitoring - Health Analyzer Reports list
Archived health check results: Central Admin - Monitoring - Health Analyzer - Review problems and solutions - archived reports
In the Server Object Model, SPHealthReportsList (subclass of SPList) - through SPHealthReportsList.Local

Conclusion

I hope this article gave you a good overview of the Health Rule Analyzer and it's components. We also took a look at corresponding classes in the Server Object Model. The automated analysis and self-repair features can provide a valuable offering towards a stable and secure SharePoint implementation.