Applied SQL: Server Side Traces

It’s time to get your server side trace on, with a little practical application!

I introduce this whole concept in Applied SQL: You Have Homework. Find all assignments on the Applied SQL page.

Prerequisites: basic T-SQL, basic experience with SQL Profiler

Reading:

• SQLServerPedia article: The Server-side Trace: What, Why, and How   
• SQL Server Books Online sp_trace_create, sp_trace_setevent, and fn_trace_getinfo articles (just for a general overview, and for later reference).

Level 1 Assignments: Generate the script for a server side trace.

[1-1] Generate the script using these options:

• Save to file: c:\temp\Trace
• Enable file rollover
• Enable trace stop time.
• In the events selection, add “DatabaseID” to all selected events.
• Add a filter for DatabaseID = 5

[1-2] Open the script and add these queries to the bottom, commented out:

• Add a trace stop command.
• Add a trace delete command.
• Add a query to get information about all existing server-side traces. (This will take just a little research.)

Level 2 Assignment: Edit the script.

[2-1] Open the generated script and make these edits: 

• Start time should be 30 minutes after the start of the script.
• Max file size should be 20 Mb.
• Trace output file should be c:\temp\MyTestTraceOutput.
• Add the option for trace file rollover.

[2-2] Find and comment out all the code that adds tracing for the “SQL:BatchCompleted” event.

Bonus points: Post your scripts (or a link to them) in the comments below, just to show off that you did it.

Double bonus points: Do you think we should’ve done something more here? Post a related assignment of your own in the comments, and I’ll see how I do