SQL Server Wait Type: HADR_AR_CRITICAL_SECTION_ENTRY

Wait statistics, in the context of SQL Server, refer to the amount of time that a query spends waiting to access data in the database. When a client application requests data from the database, the request is placed in a queue and the client application must wait for its turn to access the data. The time that the query spends waiting is called a “wait” and is tracked by SQL Server. This information can be used to identify potential performance bottlenecks and optimize the performance of the database. Wait statistics are commonly used by database administrators to diagnose and troubleshoot performance issues in SQL Server.

In Microsoft SQL Server, a wait type is a type of event that occurs when a task has to wait for a resource or for an event to complete before it can continue processing. One of the wait types that can occur in SQL Server is HADR_AR_CRITICAL_SECTION_ENTRY.

The HADR_AR_CRITICAL_SECTION_ENTRY wait type occurs when a task is waiting to acquire a lock on the Always On Availability Groups (AG) Auto-Restore (AR) critical section. The AG Auto-Restore feature is a component of the AG feature in SQL Server that allows you to restore a database to a previous state in case of data loss or corruption. The critical section is a mechanism that ensures that only one task can access the AG Auto-Restore feature at a time.

The HADR_AR_CRITICAL_SECTION_ENTRY wait type can occur for various reasons, such as when there are multiple tasks trying to access the AG Auto-Restore feature simultaneously, or when there is an issue with the critical section itself. It can also occur if the database is heavily accessed and there are not enough resources available to complete the tasks in a timely manner.

It is important to monitor for the HADR_AR_CRITICAL_SECTION_ENTRY wait type, as it can indicate that there may be issues with the performance of the database or with the AG Auto-Restore feature. If this wait type occurs frequently or for a long duration, it can potentially impact the performance and availability of the database.

To resolve issues with the HADR_AR_CRITICAL_SECTION_ENTRY wait type, you may need to troubleshoot the cause of the issue and take appropriate action, such as optimizing the AG Auto-Restore configuration or increasing the available resources. It is also important to ensure that the AG Auto-Restore feature is properly configured and that all tasks being performed by the AG Auto-Restore are functioning correctly. By monitoring for and addressing issues with the HADR_AR_CRITICAL_SECTION_ENTRY wait type, you can ensure that your database is performing optimally and that your data is protected.

More details avilable on this wait type here: http://DatabaseHealth.com/Waits/HADR_AR_CRITICAL_SECTION_ENTRY.html

Do you have a favorite tool for monitoring your wait statistics on SQL Server over time? This is something that you can use Database Health monitor to do. More details at http://DatabaseHealth.com.

If you are having performance issues assocaited with this wait type and need soem help, please contact us with our 30 minute consulation link.