How to: Set Global Trace Options (SQL Server Profiler)

This topic describes how to set options that apply to all traces that are created with a specific instance of SQL Server Profiler.

To set global trace options

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

  2. In the General Optionsdialog box, click Choose Fontto modify the display options, and then click OK.

  3. Optionally, select Start tracing immediately after making connection.

  4. Optionally, select Update trace definition when provider version changes. This option is recommended and is selected by default. When this option is selected, the trace definition is automatically updated to the current version of the server where tracing is performed.

  5. Optionally, specify how the server should manage rollover files:

    • Select Load all rollover files in sequence without prompting to automatically load rollover files during replay.

    • Select Prompt before loading rollover files to control rollover files during replay.

    • Select Never load subsequent rollover files to replay only one file at a time.

  6. Optionally, set replay options:

    • Default number of replay threadscontrols the number of processor threads to use during replay. A higher number of threads causes replay to complete faster, but causes server performance to degrade during replay. The recommended setting is 4. The following table lists the available options:

      Value

      Description

      2

      Minimum value. Use two threads to replay.

      4

      Default value.

      255

      Maximum value. Setting a maximum value will impede performance for other processes.

    • Default health monitor wait interval (sec) sets the maximum amount of time that a replay thread can block another process in seconds. The following table explains the values.

      Value

      Description

      0

      Minimum value. A setting of 0 means that SQL Server Profiler will never stop a blocking process.

      3600

      Default value. Allow blocking processes that do not exceed 3600 seconds, or one hour.

      86400

      Maximum value. Allow blocking processes that do not exceed 86400 seconds, or one day.

    • **Default health monitor poll interval (sec)**sets the frequency to poll replay threads for blocking processes. The following table explains the values.

      Value

      Description

      1

      Minimum value. A setting of 1 means SQL Server Profiler will poll for blocking processes once per second.

      60

      Default value. Poll for blocking processes once per minute.

      86400

      Maximum value. Poll for blocking processes once per 86400 seconds, or one day.