SharePoint: Are there any Users currently on the site?

Problem

Ever wondered is there anyone connected to the SharePoint Site before doing an iisreset or a server reboot? Or how much the site is used on a daily basis?

Solution

The Performance Monitor tool is just about perfect for this. You can make a custom console, save it and use later. Or you can collect data over time to have a better overview on the server usage (Data Collector Sets section, not covered in this post).

Below I'll detail step by step how to create a custom MMC Console.

1. First, start a blank mmc console
   
   
   
   
   
2. Add a Performance Monitor Snap-In
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. You've got a blank Performance Monitor Console. Now you have to add the Counters.
   
   
   
   
4. Click on the green Plus Sign and find the following counters:
   
   Web Service Category
   - Current Anonymous Users
   - Current Non-Anonymous Users
   
   At the Instances section you can select a particular website or just _Total.
   
   
   
   I also like to add other helpful counters like CPU Usage, Memory, etc. For more info on counters please consult this blog post.
   
   
   
5. Go to View -> Customize and remove the clutter
   
   
   
   
   
6. Go to File -> Save As and save the console for later use. There you go.
   
   

Obviously, you can use this to monitor any kind of IIS Website like TFS, etc.