How to get all activities on SQL server without using Profiler.

  • Hi All,

    How to get all activities on SQL server without using Profiler.

    I want to know is there any alternative for sql profiler. I need the same information the sql profiler do.

    I could not run sql profiler due to some constraints, I need other way around to get this informatioon.

    RAM uses get higher due to some reasons I need to check that why it is getting higher and what are the activities during these times.

    Thanks

    http://matespoint.blogspot.com

  • You can use the sys.dm_exec_sessions and sys.dm_exec_requests to see what's currently running on the server.

    You can use the server-side trace procedures (sp_trace_*) to inplement a trace. They're the same procs that profiler uses, but you won'tr use the gui.

    Why can you not use profiler?

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • GilaMonster (6/30/2008)


    You can use the sys.dm_exec_sessions and sys.dm_exec_requests to see what's currently running on the server.

    You can use the server-side trace procedures (sp_trace_*) to inplement a trace. They're the same procs that profiler uses, but you won'tr use the gui.

    Why can you not use profiler?

    Could you please let me know some link for trace example.

  • Books online has a lot of info about the sp_trace procs.

    You can also use profiler to generate a script for you. Set up a trace with the events and columns that you want then go to the file ment and the the Script Trace item.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • Thanks a lot!!!

  • Does this server have a non-default max memory setting? You should do that for every server, and it will probably prevent the issue you are seeing.

    Best,
    Kevin G. Boles
    SQL Server Consultant
    SQL MVP 2007-2012
    TheSQLGuru on googles mail service

  • If your environment is MS SQL 2005 + SP2, the best choice is SQL Server 2005 Performance Dashboard. It is a free download software.

    http://www.sql-server-performance.com/articles/per/bm_performance_dashboard_2005_p1.aspx

  • rw_ebox (7/2/2008)


    If your environment is MS SQL 2005 + SP2, the best choice is SQL Server 2005 Performance Dashboard. It is a free download software.

    http://www.sql-server-performance.com/articles/per/bm_performance_dashboard_2005_p1.aspx

    Cant do anything on server, its a production server.

  • Mohammad Irfan (7/2/2008)


    rw_ebox (7/2/2008)


    If your environment is MS SQL 2005 + SP2, the best choice is SQL Server 2005 Performance Dashboard. It is a free download software.

    http://www.sql-server-performance.com/articles/per/bm_performance_dashboard_2005_p1.aspx

    Cant do anything on server, its a production server.

    That statement doesn't make much sense to me. You simply MUST be able to properly monitor and tune a production server. To do otherwise is just throwing money away.

    Best,
    Kevin G. Boles
    SQL Server Consultant
    SQL MVP 2007-2012
    TheSQLGuru on googles mail service

  • If you just want to run some SQL queries, please check Microsoft web site, "SQL Server Best Practices".

    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-ca/sqlserver/bb331794.aspx

    SQL Server Best Practices Toolbox

    Scripts and Tools for Performance Tuning and Troubleshooting SQL Server 2005

    Buffer Cache

    CPU and Optimization

    Indexes and Indexing

    Input/Output

    Performance

    Query Plan Re-Use

    Retrieving SQL Text and XML Plans

    SQLOS: Schedulers, Runnable Queue, Waiter List

    Tempdb

    Transactions and Locking

    Wait Statistics

    SQL Server 2005 Best Practices Analyzer

    DMV Stats

  • Hi,

    without profiler the only option is by clicking the REPORT tab in SSMS u will get all activities of server, its performance and many lot.:)

  • Linchi Shea has a good write up and example on using sp_trace at SQLblog.com:

    http://sqlblog.com/blogs/linchi_shea/archive/2007/08/01/trace-profiler-test.aspx

    It also shows how server trace and profiler impact the server.

    😎

    The more you are prepared, the less you need it.

  • Thanks An

  • Hi All,

    I ran into the same situation. I was assigned to identify and remedy poor performing queries on an extremely heavy use production server. First I was using SQL Profiler in combination with Database Tuning Advisor using Tuning predefinied template to monitor bad SP, T-SQL etc... CPU, read, write trying to get the hint toward a solution. But my boss and the IT team ordered me to stop that because it adds more overhead, performance penalty to already heavy-use production server, degrading the performance more... I know I can use DMV, DMF ...but as far as I know, SQL profiler is the best tool to diagnose performance....

    Now, I'm not allowed to use SQL profiler, anyone knows a tool, another way to substitute SQL profiler without incurring more overhead on the production server.

    Thanks.

    David N Nguyen

  • Use the server-side trace functionality. It's what profiler uses behind the scenes and it uses a bunch of sp_trace procedures.

    You can get profiler to create a script for you (the best way), then modify and run that on the server. Provided you're writing to a fast drive that doesn't contain any of the database files, the overhead should be a lot, lot lower than that of the Profiler GUI.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

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