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rockmoose
SQL Natt Alfen
3279 Posts |
 Posted - 2005-10-12 : 03:16:29
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| Hi all,Running SQL Standard on Windows Enterprise.4GB RAM.SQL Server can use 2GB RAM, which is the maximum for standard.Now we install another Instance of SQL Server on the box.Apply the /3GB switch.The first Instance allocates memory dynamically (take as much as possible up to 2GB)Can the 2nd Instance then grab grab 1GB RAM, leaving 1GB for the OS ?-----------------1st Instance: 2GB2nd Instance: 1GBOS: 1GB RAM-----------------rockmoose |
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ACALVETT
Starting Member
34 Posts |
Posted - 2005-10-12 : 06:12:31
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| Why enable /3gb if you don't want a single instance to use more than 2gb?Basically each instance of SQL can now take up to 3gb if you have set the dynamic memory to go up to 3gb. So, SQL in the configuration your describing will be constantly fighting with the OS (and other instance) for memory.Best to determine what the max memory requirement for each instance is and the set appropriately so the sum of the two is not going to cause a fight with the OS. |
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rockmoose
SQL Natt Alfen
3279 Posts |
Posted - 2005-10-12 : 07:37:33
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| Standard SQL can only use 2GB even with /3GB from what I understand.I was thinking: /3GBInstance 1 (dynamic allocating of memory, as much as possible, which will be max 2)Instance 2 (max 1GB)Leaves 1 for the OS.Would it work that way ? |
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mcrowley
Aged Yak Warrior
771 Posts |
Posted - 2005-10-12 : 09:42:53
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| I would think that each instance will go by its own configuration settings, and take as much memory as they can. The /3GB switch seems to apply to a single instance of an application be it SQL or exchange, or sol.exe. |
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ACALVETT
Starting Member
34 Posts |
Posted - 2005-10-12 : 10:06:26
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| Standard SQL will use 3gb if you add /3gb to boot.ini assuming its configured to do so.Configure instance one max memory for 2gb, instance two max memory 1gb and then the OS will get the rest.I don't think you need /3gb but if you enable /3gb it causes a massive drop in available page table entries (PTE). If you then have a very busy system etc you can end up running out of PTE's which causes server lock up etc etc. Now i`m not saying don't enable if you want but initially make sure you monitor the available PTE's in perfmon. You do not want to see them below 50,000. |
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rockmoose
SQL Natt Alfen
3279 Posts |
Posted - 2005-10-12 : 15:06:12
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| Thanks.>> Standard SQL will use 3gb if you add /3gb to boot.ini assuming its configured to do so.That's not what I know, standard can only use 2GB no matter what.(No offense meant to you acalvett, it's just that I've heard different from other sources, eg.BOL)>> The /3GB switch seems to apply to a single instance of an applicationhttp://www.sqlteam.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=55191Maybe the pte could be an issue, I'll have to monitor that.More on PTE:http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/exchange/EXBPA/19b3c0db-3193-4d28-ab84-7bfdab7effda.mspxThe scheme with the 2 instances is to have one of them as QA.This one would basically just be used to test upgrade scripts, plus light testing of the app during upgrade.And verification of backup/restore procedures. |
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ACALVETT
Starting Member
34 Posts |
Posted - 2005-10-13 : 06:23:50
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| No offense taken :DI thought it did but i can get things wrong so i've put it on my list of things to check next time i`m playing on one of our dev servers. |
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eyechart
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
3575 Posts |
Posted - 2005-10-13 : 12:17:17
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quote:
Originally posted by ACALVETT
Standard SQL will use 3gb if you add /3gb to boot.ini assuming its configured to do so.
Standard will only use max of 2GB regardless of the /3GB switch in place or not. -ec |
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rockmoose
SQL Natt Alfen
3279 Posts |
Posted - 2005-10-19 : 16:09:21
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| The way I understand is that with /3GB it would be possible to have 2 instances of sql server 2k standard.1 using 2GB ram, and the other using 1GB ram.(server has 4GB ram, enterprise windows server 2003)Does anyone want to confirm / refute this ?regards,rockmoose |
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eyechart
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
3575 Posts |
Posted - 2005-10-19 : 18:29:00
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quote:
Originally posted by rockmoose
The way I understand is that with /3GB it would be possible to have 2 instances of sql server 2k standard.1 using 2GB ram, and the other using 1GB ram.(server has 4GB ram, enterprise windows server 2003)Does anyone want to confirm / refute this ?regards,rockmoose
yes, that is possible. The 2GB limitation is per process, so two instances of sql server running would be two separate processes.-ec |
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eyechart
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
3575 Posts |
Posted - 2005-10-19 : 18:30:46
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| one thing to keep in mind about running multiple instances of standard edition is that you have to pay a server license for each instance. If this was enterprise edition, you could run multiple instances on a box but you would only need to purchase the one EE server license.-ec |
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rockmoose
SQL Natt Alfen
3279 Posts |
Posted - 2005-10-20 : 03:29:42
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Thanks ec!quote:
one thing to keep in mind about running multiple instances of standard edition is that you have to pay a server license for each instance. If this was enterprise edition, you could run multiple instances on a box but you would only need to purchase the one EE server license.
That bugs me, originally I read this (which led me to beleive that I can have multiple standard instances):http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/faq.mspx#EQCquote:
Q. How does licensing work with the multi-instance feature in SQL Server 2000?A. You can run multiple instances of SQL Server 2000 on a single computer. Multiple instances are used by organizations that have several applications running on a server, but want them to run in isolation so that any problem in one instance will not affect the other instances.Under the Processor licensing model of SQL Server 2000, you can install multiple instances of SQL Server on the same computer without having additional licenses. Under the Server/CAL model, you can install multiple instances of SQL Server on the same computer only if you use SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition. With Standard Edition, using the Server/CAL licensing model, you must have a separate license for each instance.
But:http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2000/reskit/part2/c0461.mspxquote:
Licensing for a Multi-Instance ConfigurationSQL Server 2000 includes the ability to run multiple instances of the server software on a single server. Multiple instances are used by organizations that have several applications running on a server, but want them to run in isolation. Running them in isolation protects each from a failure on another instance. SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition Processor Licenses and Server Licenses allow you to install multiple instances of SQL Server on the same computer without requiring additional licenses. SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition supports multiple instances, but you must have a separate license for each instance.
Too bad  rockmoose |
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Yet another Instance of the /3GB question