SQL Server® 2008 Administration: Real World Skills for MCITP Certification and Beyond

SQL Server Profiler

The SQL Server Profiler (from here on simply called Profiler) is like a network packet analyzer for all things SQL Server. A network packet analyzer is a software program that reads packets off the network wire for low-level analysis. In reality, the SQL Server Profiler is even better than a network packet analyzer. It not only captures the activity that transpires based on network requests, but it also captures everything else. You can monitor for general activity, such as T-SQL statement execution, or more advanced activity, such as deadlock occurrences and deprecated features. The interface can be a bit overwhelming to some people because it is a blank slate when you first launch it. But don't let this intimidate you into ...