SQL Server Performance Forum – Threads Archive

Max Server Memory configuration

Hi We have a Production server which has a Total physical memory of 32GB, Max Server Memory has been configured to 25 GB,
boot.ini file has been edited to have /PAE switch My question is – Do i need to mention /3GB switch in boot.ini file along with /PAE switch?
Thanks

What is the operating system used? Satya SKJ
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Writer, Contributing Editor & Moderator
http://www.SQL-Server-Performance.Com
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MicroSoft Windows 2003 Enterprise Edition

Then not a problem as Win 2k3 EE support this physical RAM by using the Physical Address Extensions (PAE) feature. fyi KBAhttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/555223 on the stuff. Satya SKJ
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Writer, Contributing Editor & Moderator
http://www.SQL-Server-Performance.Com
This posting is provided AS IS with no rights for the sake of knowledge sharing. Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves or we know where we can find information on it.

Thanks for your quick response. But the link you have provided did not give information about /PAE or /3GB.. Thanks

That link is intended to give you an idea on VAS, memory and other counters. The PAE kernel is not enabled by default for systems that can support more than 4 GB of RAM. To boot the system and utilize PAE memory, the /PAE switch must be added to the corresponding entry in the Boot.ini file.
Satya SKJ
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Writer, Contributing Editor & Moderator
http://www.SQL-Server-Performance.Com
This posting is provided AS IS with no rights for the sake of knowledge sharing. Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves or we know where we can find information on it.

Thank you.

you cannot use PAE & 3GB with more than 16GB in the 32-bit version of Windows this is because the OS needs more than 1GB (what left with /3GB) to manage more than 16GB with PAE so just use /PAE better yet, switch to Windows 64-bit,
if you still need to use 32-bit SQL, you can use /3GB
PAE not needed at the OS level, still use AWE from SQL

How to configure SQL Server to use more than 2 GB of physical memory
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/274750 MohammedU.
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