SQL Server AWE?

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SQL Server AWE?

SQL*

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January 29, 2010 at 11:47 pm

#156628

Hi to all,
In sql server 2005 we AWE what actually it is? how can we configure? What are the system configurations( WIndows) i need to enable?
And what PAE?
Do we have these options in sql server 2000
Thanks,
🙂

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Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 1

AWE allows SQL to address memory about the 4GB boundary imposed by the 32 bit processor architecture. Hence it's only useful when running 32 bit SQL Server.

These may help

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms190673.aspx

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa213764%28SQL.80%29.aspx

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

Dugi SSCoach Points: 17998 More actions · Answer 2

PAE allows the OS to use more than 4GB of memory.

AWE allows the application to use more than 4GB.

Look at the BOL for more info about AWE configuration in your SQL Server.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms190673%28SQL.90%29.aspx

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SELECT YOUR PROBLEM FROM SSC.com WHERE PROBLEM DESCRIPTION =
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Dugi SSCoach Points: 17998 More actions · Answer 3

PAE is an Operatin System setting and you can find it at Boot.ini

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SQL* SSCertifiable Points: 6638 More actions · Answer 4

thanks fro ur replay,

i have a doubt:

If production system is having 16GB RAM then is it required to AWE ON?

i.e., if my RAM SIZE IS GREATER THAN V.S. then only enable AWE?

I need some clarifications about this RAM SIZE AND AWE

🙂

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 5

dba-vb (1/30/2010)
If production system is having 16GB RAM then is it required to AWE ON?

Depends. 32 bit or 64 bit?

i.e., if my RAM SIZE IS GREATER THAN V.S. then only enable AWE?

V.S.?

I need some clarifications about this RAM SIZE AND AWE

Did you bother to read the articles I referred you to? I doubt it, seeing as they were all about AWE and when it's necessary.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

SQL* SSCertifiable Points: 6638 More actions · Answer 6

thanks,

i read but not carefully:

Now what i understood is--Please correct me if i'm wrong.

Ex:

1. If windows server is 32-bit then Virtual Address Space is 4GB(V.S.)

And RAM is <4GB then No need to enable AWE?

if >4GB then we should enable AWE?

One more different doubt is about /3GB switch.

is there any help links.

🙂

Dugi SSCoach Points: 17998 More actions · Answer 7

dba-vb (1/30/2010)
thanks fro ur replay,
i have a doubt:
If production system is having 16GB RAM then is it required to AWE ON?
.....

If your machine running with 64 bit, you don't need to enable the AWE, 64 bit machines will use your all available RAM Memory, in this case 16GB.

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SELECT YOUR PROBLEM FROM SSC.com WHERE PROBLEM DESCRIPTION =
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/[/url]

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 8

dba-vb (1/30/2010)
1. If windows server is 32-bit then Virtual Address Space is 4GB(V.S.)
And RAM is <4GB then No need to enable AWE?
if >4GB then we should enable AWE?

Yes.

btw, Virtual Address Space is usually abreviated VAS

One more different doubt is about /3GB switch.
is there any help links.

You could start with Google. A search term of 3GB site:microsoft.com will probably find something useful.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

GURSETHI SSCommitted Points: 1912 More actions · Answer 9

Hi,

Let me put some more light on this.

A 32 Bit Environment has a limit of reading memory upto 4 GB by default. If we have more memory on the server means more than 4 GB then we have to enable PAE (Page Address Extention) in Boot.ini which will make 32 Bit Operating System to look memory more than 4 GB (its 16 GB in your case). Now this is on Operating System side.

On SQL Server side we have a option of AWE (Address Windows Extention), when we enable this then SQL Server also become capable of looking memory more than 4 GB so it will report memory as much as your Operating System reports.

Example:

If we have 16 GB of memory on the Operating System and we want to set SQL Server to use 12 GB of memory then below thing need to be done.

1) Enable PAE in Boot.ini

2) Reboot the server.

3) Enable AWE in SQL Server.

3) Set MAX Server Memory for SQL to 12 GB.

On 64 Bit environment this is not required as 64 bit OS can see all memory more the box i.e. 16 GB in this case.

I Hope this will help.

Regards

GURSETHI

SQL* SSCertifiable Points: 6638 More actions · Answer 10

SQL*

SSCertifiable

Points: 6638

January 31, 2010 at 9:57 pm

#1111415

hi,

It's more explanatory. Thanks a lot.

🙂

SQL* SSCertifiable Points: 6638 More actions · Answer 11

hi,

thanks for Your clarification,

if my environment like windows server 2008 64-bit

SQL Server 2005 32-bit

then what i need to do with AWE/PAE?

🙂