SharePoint Dragons

Of course messing with SharePoint databases is not supported but we’ve found there are times when we do want to take a closer look at SharePoint databases and see where certain information is stored or how long an operation takes at the database level. As we don’t do this that often, we thought it would be convenient to document the procedure for profiling SharePoint databases and also thought the write-up could be helpful for others.

Follow this procedure to start profiling databases:

1. Start SQL Server Profiler directly or via SQL Server Management Studio and then choose Tools > SQL Server Profiler.

2. Click File > New Trace. This opens the Connect to Server dialog window.

3. Enter the server name of the SharePoint database server or instance that you want to profile.

4. Click Connect.

5. This opens the Trace Properties dialog window.

6. Enter a valid Trace name.

7. In the Use the template drop down list, choose TSQL_Duration. This template is especially good for finding how long it takes to run SQL queries and stored procedures.

8. Click the Events Selection tab.

9. Select the Show all columns checkbox.

10. Check the DatabaseName column for both Stored Procedures and TSQL.

11. If you don’t know the exact name of the database(s) you want to profile, click Run.

Perform the UI actions that you want to investigate further, and click the Pause Selected Trace button. This gives you the chance to identify the names of the databases you’re interested in. Now that you’ve established that, you’re ready add a filter to profile only the databases you’re interested in and no more. This is a necessary step as the number of queries that are executed on a SharePoint database server are quite overwhelming. Typically, but not always, you’ll be most interested in the SP_Content_* databases.

Now follow the next procedure to add some filters:

1. Click the Clear Trace Window button.

2. Click File > Properties.

3. Click the Events Selection tab.

4. Click Column Filters. This opens the Edit Filter dialog window.

5. Select DatabaseName.

6. Click Like.

7. Enter the desired database name, e.g. %Content%.

8. Click Run.

Now you have a better chance to find out what’s taking so long and where specific information is stored.