SQL Profiler is not necessarily a SharePoint Administrator's tool. It is associated with the Database Administrator. However, due to SharePoint's reliance on SQL Server, it is important that an administrator understand the tool and its use.
SQL Profiler is a tool that captures every event going to SQL and saves the information in a trace file. Using the built-in recorder, the administrator can capture information and then stop when enough has been collected.
This information can be critical to debugging and performance tuning. With SQL Profiler, you can monitor SQL statements and stored procedures, slow performance, and audit and review activities.
This recipe shows how to instantiate SQL Profiler against SharePoint 2010.
You must have administrator permissions to connect to a specific instance of SQL Server and have permissions to execute Profiler stored procedures. You must have SQL Server Client Tools loaded to your machine.
