We are planning to image a Server 2003 Standard (x86) install on a Dell server, using Backup Exec System Recovery onto new hardware.
The new server has two physical CPUs (the old one has only 1)
The new server has 16Gb of ram (the old one has 4Gb)
My question is not about the imaging - as we know we can do this.
My question(s) are:
1) Bearing in mind Server 2003 Standard (x86) only supports 4Gb of ram - if we image the OS, and load it onto the new hardware - after an "upgrade" to Server 2003 Enterprise (x86) on the new hardware - will all 16Gb be recognised by the OS?
2) If the above is true - we have a SQL 2005 Standard license being used on the existing server - we are aware that we will need an extra processor license for SQL for the dual processor configuration - but can SQL be configured to use say, 8Gb of the 16Gb ram installed in the new hardware? If so - how?
3) Is this feasible? Bear in mind - that we do not wish to do a full reinstall - as we are attempting to do this quickly - and haven't really got the time to do a full SQL migration.
Thanks in advance.
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Thanks for the assistance. Part (2) was just a general enquiry - does this limit memory per SQL instance - or for all instances?
Can someone confirm - that SQL 2005 Standard can see all the available memory in this situation?
I realise that x64 should be the way to go - but we have some old apps on that server (this is just a member server, not a DC) that run 16-bit, so x64 is out of the question...
sql server will use the maximum available memory you tell it it can have
the above way to set the max limit is PER INSTANCE therefore an understanding o fthe number of instances you have run would be needed to work out the division.
As kcts states once the image of the standard 2003 has been done you will then need to perform an inplace upgrade to enterprise so that you can realise the additonal ram you have
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by: PakaPosted on 2008-03-17 at 06:37:25ID: 21141974
The W2003 will dynamically recognize the new RAM. You can configure SQL to use only a part of the available memory, it's in one of the properties pages of the SQL server manager. It is feasible, just make sure you power down the first server before powering up the second. If anything goes wrong, you can always roll back to the old server.