Microsoft SQL Server Profiler is a graphical user interface to SQL Trace for monitoring an instance of the Database Engine
Database engine
A database engine (or storage engine) is the underlying software component that a database management system (DBMS) uses to create, read, update and delete (CRUD) data from a database. Most database management systems include their own application programming interface (API) that allows the user to interact with their underlying engine without going through the user interface of the DB…
Microsoft Analysis Services
Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services, SSAS, is an online analytical processing and data mining tool in Microsoft SQL Server. SSAS is used as a tool by organizations to analyze and make sense of information possibly spread out across multiple databases, or in disparate tables or files. Micros…
Does SQL profiler affect server performance?
Yes, SQL Server Profiler does affect performance. When you trace using the GUI, all events are synchronously processed and filtered, so factors such as server load, network latency, which events you collect, and even where the collected events are stored, all contribute to overhead.
How to launch a SQL Server Profiler session?
williammsft commented on Dec 26, 2021
- Open Azure Data Studio.
- Make sure to have the Profiler v0.11.0 installed or the Admin Pack for SQL Server 0.0.2.
- Once installed connect to an Azure Database or any other type of SQL Server with a large amount of memory. ...
- Press ALT+P or right click on the instance/AzureDB and select Launch Profiler.
How to use SQL profiler to create a SQL trace in Microsoft SQL Server?
- Determine what version of SQL Server you have and double-click the link below to download the zip file of SQL templates. ...
- Within SQL Profiler, click on File | New Trace. (Connect or log in as prompted.) a. In the Trace Properties window, enter a name for Trace Name as desired. ...
- Click RUN to start the trace and the SQL Profiler window will open and the trace is now running. ...
What is startup parameters in SQL Server?
Whenever SQL Server starts, it needs three startup parameters:
- Master database data file location (-d parameter)
- Errorlog file location (-e parameter)
- Master database transaction log file location (-l parameter)
What is profiling in SQL?
An SQL server profiler is a tool for tracing, recreating, and troubleshooting problems in MS SQL Server, Microsoft's Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). The profiler lets developers and Database Administrators (DBAs) create and handle traces and replay and analyze trace results.
How do I use SQL Server Profiler?
METHOD 1 - Use a SQL TemplateDetermine what version of SQL Server you have and double-click the link below to download the zip file of SQL templates. ... Within SQL Profiler, click on File | New Trace. ... Click RUN to start the trace and the SQL Profiler window will open and the trace is now running.
What is the use of SQL Profiler in SQL Server 2012?
SQL Server Profiler is a diagnostic tool included with Microsoft SQL Server 2012. It allows you to create SQL traces that track the specific actions performed against a SQL Server database. SQL traces provide valuable information for troubleshooting database issues and tuning database engine performance.
Does SQL Profiler affect performance?
Yes, SQL Server Profiler does affect performance. When you trace using the GUI, all events are synchronously processed and filtered, so factors such as server load, network latency, which events you collect, and even where the collected events are stored, all contribute to overhead.
Why Profiler is used in SQL Server?
SQL Server Profiler is an interface to create and manage traces and analyze and replay trace results. Events are saved in a trace file that can later be analyzed or used to replay a specific series of steps when diagnosing a problem.
What can I use instead of SQL Profiler?
Sql Server Profiler Alternatives149. dbForge Event Profiler for SQL Server. Free • Proprietary. Windows. ... ExpressProfiler. Free • Open Source. Windows. ... Neor Profile SQL. Free • Proprietary. Mac. ... Datawizard SQL Profiler. Paid • Proprietary. Windows. ... IdealSqlTracer. Free • Open Source. Windows. ... ClearTrace. Free • Proprietary. Windows.
How can I tell if SQL Profiler is running?
How to find all the profiler traces running on my SQL Serverselect. [Status] =case tr.[status]when 1 THEN 'Running'when 0 THEN 'Stopped'end.,[Default] =case tr.is_default.when 1 THEN 'System TRACE'More items...•
How do I trace SQL Profiler?
Creating a trace file is useful when troubleshooting database-related issue.Run the MS SQL Server Management Studio.Go to Tools > SQL Server Profiler.Provide a name under Trace name.Use the “Standard (default)” template.Click Save to File.Provide the path and filename for the file to be saved.More items...
How can I improve my query performance?
It's vital you optimize your queries for minimum impact on database performance.Define business requirements first. ... SELECT fields instead of using SELECT * ... Avoid SELECT DISTINCT. ... Create joins with INNER JOIN (not WHERE) ... Use WHERE instead of HAVING to define filters. ... Use wildcards at the end of a phrase only.More items...
How do I trace a query in SQL Server?
What to KnowGo to Start > SQL Server Profiler > File > New Trace. Enter connection details and choose Connect. ... Choose a template and select Save to File. Click the Events Selection tab to review the events, then choose Run to begin the trace.Instructions differ for SQL Server 2012.
When was SQL Server profiler deprecated?
SQL Server 2016SQL Server Profiler is still a tool used to monitor our relational databases and our multidimensional ones. We used for performance and security purposes. However, in the SQL Server 2016, they announced that the SQL Profiler will be deprecated in future versions.
Why query is running slow in SQL Server?
7 Ways to Find Slow SQL QueriesGenerate an Actual Execution Plan. ... Monitor Resource Usage. ... Use the Database Engine Tuning Advisor. ... Find Slow Queries With SQL DMVs. ... Query Reporting via APM Solutions. ... SQL Server Extended Events. ... SQL Azure Query Performance Insights.
How can I tell if SQL Profiler is running?
How to find all the profiler traces running on my SQL Serverselect. [Status] =case tr.[status]when 1 THEN 'Running'when 0 THEN 'Stopped'end.,[Default] =case tr.is_default.when 1 THEN 'System TRACE'More items...•
How do I filter a SQL Profiler for a database?
Steps To Filter Profiler Trace For Events From A DatabaseFrom the profiler trace window, go to menu Files > Properties.In the Trace Properties window, go to Events Selections tab.Select the check box Show all columns.Press the Columns Filters… ... In the Filter pop-up window, from the left panel select DatabaseName.More items...•
How do I trace a query in SQL Server?
What to KnowGo to Start > SQL Server Profiler > File > New Trace. Enter connection details and choose Connect. ... Choose a template and select Save to File. Click the Events Selection tab to review the events, then choose Run to begin the trace.Instructions differ for SQL Server 2012.
How do I profile a SQL query?
Profiling an SQL statementOn the Start page, click Query Profiler. A new SQL document window opens.In the text editor, type the following script: SELECT * FROM AdventureWorks2012. Person. Person WHERE FirstName = 'Robin'Click Execute. The Plan Diagram window opens.
What is SQL Server profiler?
An SQL server profiler is a tool for tracing, recreating, and troubleshooting problems in MS SQL Server, Microsoft’s Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). The profiler lets developers and Database Administrators (DBAs) create and handle traces and replay and analyze trace results. In a nutshell, it’s like a dashboard that shows the health of an instance of MS SQL Server.
How does a profiler work?
It works by giving DBAs and developers a high-level view of the operation of a system. Users create traces to capture data and monitor errors and other problems. They then use the profiler to store, retrieve, and view the results of many traces graphically for purposes of troubleshooting and repair. This function all happens on the client-side, meaning it uses resources on the same machine it’s monitoring.
Why is server side trace deprecated?
While it’s a robust tool, many features are being deprecated by Microsoft. This is happening because most developers and DBAs feel a server side trace is a more robust option.
Why is server-side trace better than client-side trace?
A server-side trace is considered superior because client-side traces may drain enough local resources to skew results. As you can see in the screenshot above, Retrace provides a detailed performance view that offers a variety of insights including: the number of times a query is executed (in light blue)
What is retrace profiler?
Retrace : A lightweight profiler captures critical details about what your code is doing. Get deep, code-level insights into your application’s health. It’s called Retrace because you can literally retrace what your code is doing!
Why are server side tracers considered superior?
Server-side traces are considered superior because they don’t use client-side resources. A Server Side Trace requires less overhead and performs more accurate monitoring and reporting. Extended Events is Microsoft’s replacement for the profiler.
What is the purpose of filtering in a trace?
Use filters to limit the volume of data in your trace. This is especially true with frequently recurring events.
When would you use SQL Profiler?
SQL Profiler has many use cases, but it's main purpose is to monitor the activity in your SQL Server instance. Whether someone has called suspecting there is an issue with your SQL Server instance or you just want to check the overall health/performance of you database, SQL Profiler gives you the ability to monitor anything from regular user activity/transactions to locks/deadlocks and system errors. You can also perform proactive maintenance on your SQL Server instance by using SQL Profiler to identify any poor performing queries so they can be analyzed and tuned or you could use it to capture a large time frame of activity so it could be used for replay on a test system. Lastly SQL Profiler can be used to perform auditing on your SQL Server instance. You have the ability to define login/logout events so you can see who is accessing your instance and what systems they are accessing it from. You can also capture all DDL events which would give you a log of all the changes that are made to your environment.
What version/editions of SQL Server is SQL Profiler available on?
SQL Profiler is only available in the Enterprise, Business Intelligence and Standard editions of SQL Server however if you have either Enterprise or Standard edition installed somewhere in your environment it can be use to profile any of the other editions i.e. Express or Web.
Is SQL Server trace still used?
However, SQL Server Profiler / SQL Server Trace is still widely used and continues to provide value to address numerous DBAs needs.
Where to run SQL Server Profiler?
You can start SQL Server Profiler from the Windows 10 Start menu, from the Tools menu in Database Engine Tuning Advisor, and from several locations in SQL Server Management Studio.
How to start SQL Server Profiler 17?
To start SQL Server Profiler from the Windows 10 Start menu. Click the Windows Start icon or press the Windows key and start to type"SQL Server Profiler 17". When the SQL Server Profiler 17 tile appears, click it.
How to select trace query in SQL Server?
In Query Editor, right-click and then select Trace Query in SQL Server Profiler.
Do you need to have the alter trace permission to run a SQL Server profile?
To perform tracing with SQL Server Profiler, users must also have the ALTER TRACE permission.
Why use SQL Profiler?
The different purposes of using SQL Profiler are: It is used to find the cause of the problem by stepping through problem queries. It is very useful to analyze the cause of slow running queries. It can be used to tune workload of the SQL server.
What is the purpose of SQL Profiler in SQL server?
SQL Profiler captures SQL Server events from a server. The events are saved in a trace file that can be used to analyze and diagnose problem.
What is SQL Trace?
Query Plans and Query Text, captured by SQL Trace as well as by other means, for example, Dynamic Management Views and Functions ( DMVs, D MFs), Extended Events, can contain sensitive information. Therefore, the permissions ALTER TRACE, SHOWPLAN, and the covering permission VIEW SERVER STATE should be granted to only those who need these to fulfill their job functions, based on the principle of least privilege.
How to replay a SQL Server trace?
If SQL Server Profiler encounters a login event in a trace that is being replayed, the following permission checks are performed: 1 User1, who has the ALTER TRACE permission, starts replaying a trace. 2 A login event for User2 is encountered in the replayed trace. 3 SQL Server Profiler uses the EXECUTE AS command to impersonate User2. 4 SQL Server attempts to authenticate User2, and depending on the results, one of the following occurs:#N#If User2 cannot be authenticated, SQL Server Profiler returns an error, and continues replaying the trace as User1.#N#If User2 is successfully authenticated, replaying the trace as User2 continues. 5 Permissions for User2 are checked on the target database, and depending on the results, one of the following occurs:#N#If User2 has permissions on the target database, impersonation has succeeded, and the trace is replayed as User2.#N#If User2 does not have permissions on the target database, the server checks for a Guest user on that database. 6 Existence of a Guest user is checked on the target database, and depending on the results, one of the following occurs:#N#If a Guest account exists, the trace is replayed as the Guest account.#N#If no Guest account exists on the target database, an error is returned and the trace is replayed as User1.
What permissions do you need to run a trace against SQL Server?
In order to run a trace against SQL Server, you must be a member of sysadmin fixed server role or have the ALTER TRACE permission.
Is SQL Server Profiler deprecated?
SQL Trace and SQL Server Profiler are deprecated. The Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Trace namespace that contains the Microsoft SQL Server Trace and Replay objects are also deprecated.
Does SQL Server Profiler require the same permissions?
By default, running SQL Server Profiler requires the same user permissions as the Transact-SQL stored procedures that are used to create traces. To run SQL Server Profiler, users must be granted the ALTER TRACE permission. For more information, see GRANT Server Permissions (Transact-SQL).
