Wait Type BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT

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.

SQL Server’s wait types offer insight into where the database engine might be experiencing delays. One specific wait type, BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT, relates to SQL Server’s Service Broker, a feature used for reliable messaging and communication between databases. If you see BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT waits, it indicates that SQL Server is waiting for messages to be transmitted, or delivered, via Service Broker. In this post, we’ll discuss what BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT means, when it appears, and what it could indicate for your SQL Server environment.

What Is the BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT Wait Type?

The BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT wait type occurs when SQL Server is waiting to transmit or deliver a message using Service Broker. Service Broker is designed to support communication and messaging in SQL Server, allowing messages to be exchanged reliably between databases or even between different SQL Server instances.

When SQL Server uses Service Broker to send messages, it creates a transmission object to manage each message. The BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT wait type happens when SQL Server is waiting for one of these transmission objects to complete its task, which could involve sending, receiving, or processing messages.

When Does BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT Appear?

This wait type is specific to environments where Service Broker is actively being used for messaging and communication. You might encounter BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT waits in the following scenarios:

• Sending Messages Between Databases – When Service Broker is set up to send messages between databases, SQL Server may experience BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT waits as it waits to transmit each message.
• Message Processing Delays – If there’s a delay in processing messages, either due to resource constraints or network issues, BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT waits can increase.
• Handling Large Message Volumes – Environments with high messaging volume may experience these waits if Service Broker is trying to handle many messages simultaneously.

In general, BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT waits are normal in Service Broker workflows. However, high or prolonged waits could indicate that messages aren’t being processed as efficiently as expected.

Why BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT Waits Matter

Frequent or long BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT waits can signal issues with Service Broker performance, which may impact applications or processes that rely on Service Broker for timely message delivery. For example, if messages are delayed, dependent applications might experience performance issues or slower response times.

Common causes of increased BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT waits include:

• Network Latency – If Service Broker is sending messages across servers, network latency can cause delays.
• Insufficient Resources – Limited CPU or memory resources on the server may slow down message processing.
• Backlogged Messages – If there’s a backlog of messages due to high volume, Service Broker may experience prolonged waits as it clears the queue.

How to Address BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT Waits

If you are seeing frequent or extended BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT waits, here are a few strategies to help address them:

• Optimize Network Performance – If messages are transmitted between servers, ensure that network latency and bandwidth are optimized for smooth message delivery.
• Scale Resources – Increasing CPU and memory on the server can help Service Broker handle message processing more efficiently.
• Monitor Queue Depth – Regularly check for message backlogs in Service Broker queues and consider optimizing workflows to reduce the load on Service Broker.
• Review Service Broker Settings – Service Broker has several configuration options. Adjusting settings for message delivery and queue processing may improve performance.

Conclusion

The BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT wait type in SQL Server is associated with Service Broker’s message transmission process. While some waits of this type are normal, high or sustained waits may indicate resource limitations or other issues in the message processing workflow. By optimizing network performance, scaling resources, and monitoring message queues, you can help reduce BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT waits and maintain efficient Service Broker operations.

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Applies to

Related Waits

See Also

• More About BROKER_TRANSMISSION_OBJECT