max server memory

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max server memory

sunny.tjk

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January 25, 2016 at 2:45 pm

#311122

If max server memory is 12GB out of total 16GB RAM, does that mean that 4GB is allocated to OS?

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Alvin Ramard SSC-Forever Points: 41190 More actions · Answer 1

sunny.tjk (1/25/2016)
If max server memory is 12GB out of total 16GB RAM, does that mean that 4GB is allocated to OS?

Yes and No.

It means 4 GB is not allocated to SQL Server. It could be allocated to something other than SQL Server. 4 GB is available for use by OS or other services.

Also, if SSIS, SSAS, or SSRS, are active on the server, the memory used by those services is not part of the 12GB.

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Orlando Colamatteo SSC Guru Points: 182279 More actions · Answer 2

In SQL 2008 it means 12GB is allocated to the Buffer Pool of that instance but the setting does not cover any non-Buffer Pool memory the instance (i.e. SQL Server Database Engine service) might use.

In SQL 2012 the Max Memory setting was modified to represent all memory associated with an instance, not just the Buffer Pool memory. It was a subtle adjustment in how we discuss the setting but has added much more certainty around configuring instances.

Are you having issues with memory usage on your server or just wondering?

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wisl SSCommitted Points: 1554 More actions · Answer 3

What does this mean then, if you are running SSIS and SSRS on the same 2012 machine, should we reduce the max memory further, in order to allow more memory for these?

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 4

Probably, yes.

Gail Shaw
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Orlando Colamatteo SSC Guru Points: 182279 More actions · Answer 5

How much free memory does Windows have right now? How high or low does that go during the course of a normal business cycle?

There are no special teachers of virtue, because virtue is taught by the whole community.
--Plato

wisl SSCommitted Points: 1554 More actions · Answer 6

I have 56 Gb of Memory and I had assigned 50 to SQL Server, leaving 6 GB (ish) for OS and everything else.

Now that I've read this post I think I need to reduce the amount for SQL Server to allow SSIS and SSRS more memory - have I understood that correctly?

Orlando Colamatteo SSC Guru Points: 182279 More actions · Answer 7

wisl (1/26/2016)
I have 56 Gb of Memory and I had assigned 50 to SQL Server, leaving 6 GB (ish) for OS and everything else.
Now that I've read this post I think I need to reduce the amount for SQL Server to allow SSIS and SSRS more memory - have I understood that correctly?

It depends on the overall behavior of your system but I'll leave it there because it is not proper net etiquette to hijack other people's threads. Creating a new thread with your situation would be appropriate here.

There are no special teachers of virtue, because virtue is taught by the whole community.
--Plato

wisl SSCommitted Points: 1554 More actions · Answer 8

Sorry it was not my intention to hijack this thread.

Thank you for your help anyway.

johnwalker10 SSCrazy Eights Points: 9124 More actions · Answer 9

johnwalker10

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January 26, 2016 at 10:28 pm

#1854600

Simply, yes