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SQL Server 2000 \3gb PAE Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Boot.ini configuration?

I am running Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition, using IIS, and SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition. It as a 6 month old Dell server running 2 quad core processors with 8GB of RAM. I have not changed any entries to the boot.ini or with SQL Server to take advantage of the memory. I am looking for the best way to utilize the hardware in the machine???? I am somewhat familiar with the /3gb option and a little with PAE and AWE through researching. What is the best configuration to utilize the hardware in this server?

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Network_Data_Support

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jbarton221

ASKER

Thanks for the info and this is what I was leaning toward. What would you recommend setting the max server memory too? I also have quite a few users connecting through IIS which uses some memory. Would you recommend checking with our software provider before doing this, or is this something that normally will not affect?

Network_Data_Support

how big are your sql database you want to try and load as much as you can into memory but if it is quite big i would then be careful otherwise sql wil kill the server. you got 1 gb for OS so leaves you with 7GB check with your software provider and set accordinly

jbarton221

ASKER

It looks like the databases add up to just over 5GB, so should I set it to 6GB maximum?

Hemantgiri S. Goswami

Hi,

Here are best reference material http://support.microsoft.com/kb/274750
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEdrv.mspx
http://blogs.msdn.com/chadboyd/archive/2007/03/24/pae-and-3gb-and-awe-oh-my.aspx

Network_Data_Support

yes idealy you want to load the database into ram but if you are using the server for other applications you want to let them have a little

jbarton221

ASKER

When I added all of the switches I got complaints that it was running slow. When you look at the running apps in task manager does it not show the extended 4GB for memory useage on those apps?

Network_Data_Support

if you dont set the maxium ram amount in sql then it will hog and take it all have you set this

jbarton221

ASKER

We set the maximum, but how can I check that it is using the extended 4GB. Example:

When I set the \3GB switch in the boot.ini and leave the maximum memory to default in SQL the sqllogon process is at 2.7GB

When I use the \AWE switch and set the maximum memory to 6GB that same process is only at 96,000

Network_Data_Support

To find out use Performance Monitor (total SQL server memory, target SQL server memory), not Task Manager