SQL Trace Files Location & Deletion

Lorisj33Lorisj33 Posts: 2
edited November 17, 2010 12:21PM in SQL Monitor Previous Versions
Good morning,

I have a server that we setup profiler tracing on but 7,300 files with 33GB of data have been collected in the SQL Server log directory. Is there a way to set where the trace files will be stored, or will it always use SQL's log directory? How can I reduce the number of trace files that are kept? Or do I simply have to not use tracing on this server? The file dates range from 11/10 thru 11/16. It's SQL 2005 SP3 EE running on Windows 2003 SP2.

Thank you,
Lori

Comments

  • Hi Lori,

    Thanks for your post.

    Generally we only recommend having Trace turned on if you're looking for a specific issue on a problematic server as it can use up to 5% extra CPU usage and potentially more memory. It can, as you've experienced here, also log a large amount of data which effectively becomes useless if you're searching for a specific problem.

    There isn't a way of changing the place in which the files are logged, and it can't be reduced.

    For more information on collecting trace data please click the following link;

    http://www.red-gate.com/supportcenter/C ... L_Response\help\1.3\SR_Collecting_Trace.htm

    The new version - SQL Monitor - initially gathers the information collected in a trace file when Trace is turned on, however after this point it routinely overwrites it once the data file gets too big.

    Also, for your information - if you still have active support and upgrades attached to your SQL Response license, you're eligible for a complimentary upgrade to the SQL Monitor which has many new features and benefits. You can check it out here - http://www.red-gate.com/products/SQL_Monitor/index.htm

    If you email our sales team at sales@red-gate.com they can look into this for you.

    Thanks,

    Siân Williams
    Red Gate Software
    Tel: 0800 169 7433
    sian.williams@red-gate.com
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