Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Bible

The Extended Events Profiler

The biggest change to Extended Events in SQL Server 2012 is the new user interface to create and modify Extended Events sessions. Extended Events now has a folder under the Management folder in Object Explorer (see Figure 40.2). From this folder you can create a new Extended Event session, modify existing sessions, view Target data for existing sessions, and Watch Live Data. If you choose the last option you're presented with an interface similar to the SQL Profiler you're familiar with, but one that captures Extended Events information as it is processed.

Figure 40.2 You can view the new Extended Events folder in Object Explorer. Users can now create and modify Event Sessions graphically using SQL Server Management Studio.

What's New with Extended Events in SQL Server 2012

There are several enhancements to Extended Events in SQL Server 2012. Although the largest improvement is the new Extended Events Profiler, there are new Actions and Targets, a new Extended Events event reader API, the ability to interact with Extended Events via PowerShell, and the new sp_server_diagnostics stored procedure. This system stored procedure uses Extended Events data to report on system components and is used heavily to capture system heartbeat information in the new AlwaysOn feature.

Finally, while there are no special commandlets in PS for interacting with XEvents, ...