Re: Allocated Memory Alerts & Mem Usage vs. VM Size

Thanks Robert and SuperGumby for the interesting back and forth. FYI, I
haven't added the /3GB switch. After setting the min and max memory
settings for the worst-offending of the sqlservr.exe instances, I decided to
sit back and watch.

It's now been roughly a week since the change and the memory situation seems
improved. Although the memory settings I applied to the sql server instance
are only designed to directly affect (iiuc) the Mem Usage, it's also had a
beneficial effect on the VM Size, which had been alarmingly high on this
server instance prior to the change (over 1.6 GB). I configured the Mem
Usage maximum to be 112 MB, and the VM Size has never risen much past double
that (it currently sits at 233 MB). Haven't noticed any problems with the
sql server operation (SBSMonitoring) so far. Overall pagefile usage
immediately dropped considerably, and although it has slowly crept up again
over the past week, it's still quite a bit lower than where it had been
sitting.

What used to be my next "worst" sqlservr.exe instance in terms of memory
usage is now the worst; it's for my enterprise antivirus managment,
currently at 296 MB Mem Usage and 804 MB VM Size. I'm going to try setting
limits on it as I did on the SBSMonitoring server and see how it goes. So
far I've gotten no warnings of low virtual memory since making the change
and things still seem to be operating normally, so I'm hoping this one will
take just as well to the change.

I'll post back once the change is made with further results.

Thanks again Robert and esp Supergumby for posting the links. I had
previously followed the story of conflicting advice on the /3GB switch for
SBS 2003 boxes, but it had been a while, so the refresher was great and
confirmed my inclination to avoid using it if possible.

I'll keep you posted.

Bryan


"Robert Li [MSFT]" <v-robeli@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:Px390afYHHA.4088@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi Not,

Thanks for updating.

Normally we don't use the /3GB Switch on SBS 2003, that may casue
something
upexpected.

Bayan, please don't use /3GB Switch on the server. I will try my best to
find the way to resolve the issue.

Best regards,

Robert Li(MSFT)

Microsoft CSS Online Newsgroup Support

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

=====================================================

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Any input or comments in this thread are highly appreciated.

=====================================================

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.

--------------------
<From: "SuperGumby [SBS MVP]" <not@xxxxxxxxxxx>
<References: <#FZFBwpWHHA.3500@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<oqajUvyWHHA.4020@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<JcPhOKHXHHA.5792@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<uvifY8MYHHA.3928@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<ds8Qz0UYHHA.2372@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<ONPE#6WYHHA.4000@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<M14zVXXYHHA.2244@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<Subject: Re: Allocated Memory Alerts & Mem Usage vs. VM Size
<Date: Fri, 9 Mar 2007 04:30:14 +1100
<Lines: 371
<X-Priority: 3
<X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
<X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3028
<X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3028
<X-RFC2646: Format=Flowed; Original
<Message-ID: <#01#ydaYHHA.588@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs
<NNTP-Posting-Host: cpe-60-229-61-244.nsw.bigpond.net.au 60.229.61.244
<Path: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP01.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl
<Xref: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs:21736
<X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs
<
<and g'day back v,
<
< the first link simply drops me in the W2K3 deployment guide, is there
a
<particular section of it you believe I should look at? General W2K3
<documentation is notorious for not addressing SBS correctly.
<
<How about this link from 'The Official SBS Blog'?
<Using the /3GB Switch with SBS 2003
<http://209.34.241.68/sbs/archive/2006/06/30/439628.aspx
<
<which also links to
<How to optimize memory usage in Exchange Server 2003
<http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;815372
<Because Microsoft Small Business Server installs as an integrated domain
<controller and Exchange server, we also do not recommend setting the /3GB
<switch when you run Exchange Server 2003 in a Small Business Server
<environment. However, the other concepts and settings that are described
in
<this article apply equally to Exchange Server 2003 in a Microsoft Small
<Business Server environment.
<
<"Robert Li [MSFT]" <v-robeli@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
<news:M14zVXXYHHA.2244@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<> Hi Not,
<>
<> Thanks for your input.
<>
<> You are right, we don't recommend to /3 GB switch to SBS 2003. But on
some
<> special occasions, you can add the /3 GB switch. See this article:
<>
<> Host: chrisavi (Microsoft)
<> Q: Should the /3GB switch still be added to the boot.ini if physical
<> memory
<> is greater than 1gig?
<> A: Typically, yes. Here is an article that explains how to manage
memory
<> requirements with the switch and the apps you are running. --
<>
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/all/deploy
<>
guide/en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/windowsserv/2003/all/de
<> ployguide/en-us/dssbj_dcc_imef.asp
<>
<> Small Business Server 2003 Partner Chat
<> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/chats/trans/sbs/sbs0421.mspx
<>
<> Have a nice day.
<>
<> Best regards,
<>
<> Robert Li(MSFT)
<>
<> Microsoft CSS Online Newsgroup Support
<>
<> Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
<>
<> =====================================================
<>
<> This newsgroup only focuses on SBS technical issues. If you have issues
<> regarding other Microsoft products, you'd better post in the
corresponding
<> newsgroups so that they can be resolved in an efficient and timely
manner.
<> You can locate the newsgroup here:
<> http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx
<>
<> When opening a new thread via the web interface, we recommend you check
<> the
<> "Notify me of replies" box to receive e-mail notifications when there
are
<> any updates in your thread. When responding to posts via your
newsreader,
<> please "Reply to Group" so that others may learn and benefit from your
<> issue.
<>
<> Microsoft engineers can only focus on one issue per thread. Although we
<> provide other information for your reference, we recommend you post
<> different incidents in different threads to keep the thread clean. In
<> doing
<> so, it will ensure your issues are resolved in a timely manner.
<>
<> For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft CSS directly.
Please
<> check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.
<>
<> Any input or comments in this thread are highly appreciated.
<>
<> =====================================================
<>
<> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
<> rights.
<>
<> --------------------
<> <From: "SuperGumby [SBS MVP]" <not@xxxxxxxxxxx>
<> <References: <#FZFBwpWHHA.3500@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<> <oqajUvyWHHA.4020@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<> <JcPhOKHXHHA.5792@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<> <uvifY8MYHHA.3928@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<> <ds8Qz0UYHHA.2372@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<> <Subject: Re: Allocated Memory Alerts & Mem Usage vs. VM Size
<> <Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2007 21:44:23 +1100
<> <Lines: 229
<> <X-Priority: 3
<> <X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
<> <X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3028
<> <X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3028
<> <X-RFC2646: Format=Flowed; Original
<> <Message-ID: <ONPE#6WYHHA.4000@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<> <Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs
<> <NNTP-Posting-Host: cpe-60-229-61-244.nsw.bigpond.net.au 60.229.61.244
<> <Path: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP01.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl
<> <Xref: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs:21681
<> <X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs
<> <
<> <funny how the first article (823440) says:
<> <
<> <Note You do not have to use the /3GB switch on Microsoft Windows Small
<> <Business Server 2003-based computers. We do not recommend that you use
<> the
<> </3GB switch parameter in the Boot.ini file for Exchange Server
computers
<> <that are also Active Directory domain controllers or global catalog
<> servers.
<> <
<> <Why do MS staff keep recommending practices which MS documentation
<> <(particularly the document they themselves are pointing to) explicitly
<> state
<> <_not_ to implement such advice?
<> <
<> <"Robert Li [MSFT]" <v-robeli@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
<> <news:ds8Qz0UYHHA.2372@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<> <> Hi Brian,
<> <>
<> <> Thanks for updating.
<> <>
<> <> You have 4GB of physical memory on the server, but occasionally the
<> <> Windows
<> <> reports that Virtual Momory is low. At this point, I recommend you
to
<> use
<> <> /3gb switch as well as the /userva switch for boot.ini file.
<> <>
<> <> Here is an example for the boot.ini file.
<> <>
<> <> [Boot Loader]
<> <> Timeout=30
<> <> Default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\Windows
<> <>
<> <> [Operating Systems]
<> <> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\Windows="Microsoft Windows
Server
<> <> 2003"
<> <> /fastdetect /3GB /USERVA=3030
<> <>
<> <> More information, please refer to:
<> <>
<> <> Use of the /3GB switch in Exchange Server 2003 on a Windows Server
<> <> 2003-based system
<> <> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/823440
<> <>
<> <> Using the /Userva switch on Windows Server 2003-based computers that
<> are
<> <> running Exchange Server
<> <> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810371
<> <>
<> <> How to use the /userva switch with the /3GB switch to tune the
<> User-mode
<> <> space to a value between 2 GB and 3 GB
<> <> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316739
<> <>
<> <> Small Business Server 2003 Partner Chat
<> <>
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/chats/trans/sbs/sbs0421.mspx
<> <>
<> <> Then please keep monitoring your server to see if the problem will
<> <> reoccur.
<> <>
<> <> Hope above information helps.
<> <>
<> <> If you need further assistance, please don't hesitate to let me
know.
<> <>
<> <>
<> <> Best regards,
<> <>
<> <> Robert Li(MSFT)
<> <>
<> <> Microsoft CSS Online Newsgroup Support
<> <>
<> <> Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
<> <>
<> <> =====================================================
<> <>
<> <> This newsgroup only focuses on SBS technical issues. If you have
issues
<> <> regarding other Microsoft products, you'd better post in the
<> corresponding
<> <> newsgroups so that they can be resolved in an efficient and timely
<> manner.
<> <> You can locate the newsgroup here:
<> <> http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx
<> <>
<> <> When opening a new thread via the web interface, we recommend you
check
<> <> the
<> <> "Notify me of replies" box to receive e-mail notifications when
there
<> are
<> <> any updates in your thread. When responding to posts via your
<> newsreader,
<> <> please "Reply to Group" so that others may learn and benefit from
your
<> <> issue.
<> <>
<> <> Microsoft engineers can only focus on one issue per thread. Although
we
<> <> provide other information for your reference, we recommend you post
<> <> different incidents in different threads to keep the thread clean.
In
<> <> doing
<> <> so, it will ensure your issues are resolved in a timely manner.
<> <>
<> <> For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft CSS directly.
<> Please
<> <> check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone
numbers.
<> <>
<> <> Any input or comments in this thread are highly appreciated.
<> <>
<> <> =====================================================
<> <>
<> <> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
<> <> rights.
<> <>
<> <> --------------------
<> <> <From: "Bryan L" <blinton.nospam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<> <> <References: <#FZFBwpWHHA.3500@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<> <> <oqajUvyWHHA.4020@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<> <> <JcPhOKHXHHA.5792@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<> <> <Subject: Re: Allocated Memory Alerts & Mem Usage vs. VM Size
<> <> <Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 09:41:36 -0600
<> <> <Lines: 95
<> <> <X-Priority: 3
<> <> <X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
<> <> <X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3028
<> <> <X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3028
<> <> <X-RFC2646: Format=Flowed; Original
<> <> <Message-ID: <uvifY8MYHHA.3928@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<> <> <Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs
<> <> <NNTP-Posting-Host: connellinsurance.com 66.76.216.32
<> <> <Path:
TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP01.phx.gbl!TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl
<> <> <Xref: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl
microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs:21490
<> <> <X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs
<> <> <
<> <> <Robert,
<> <> <
<> <> <Thanks for your reply. Some comments and additional information as
I
<> <> read
<> <> <thru your post...
<> <> <
<> <> <> When
<> <> <> you are running SQL Server, consider setting the virtual memory
<> paging
<> <> <> file
<> <> <> size to 1.5 times the physical memory installed in the computer.
<> <> <
<> <> <I am not actually running SQL Server, but several instances of the
<> MSDE
<> <> <engine: namely, the instances that were included in SBS to support
<> WSUS,
<> <> <SHAREPOINT, and SBSMONITORING, and one additional instance to
support
<> my
<> <> <antivirus management console. Does that fact change your
<> recommendations
<> <> at
<> <> <all?
<> <> <
<> <> <I have 4GB of physical memory installed in the computer, but
Windows
<> will
<> <> <not allow me to set a paging file size greater than 4092.
<> Consequently,
<> <> I
<> <> <have selected "System managed size" for my Virtual Memory
<> configuration;
<> <> my
<> <> <current paging file size is 4036 MB, although the "Recommended"
figure
<> <> <reported by the Virtual Memory settings page is 5950 MB.
<> <> <
<> <> <> If you have installed the Full-Text Search feature and plan to
run
<> the
<> <> <> Microsoft Search service so that you can do full-text indexing
and
<> <> <> querying, consider doing the following:
<> <> <
<> <> <I assume Full-Text Search does not run on this server since it is
only
<> <> <running MSDE instead of SQL. (??)
<> <> <
<> <> <> I'd like to provide additional information for SQL server memory
<> usage:
<> <> <>
<> <> <> 1. SQL Server is designed to use memory. It caches data and query
<> plans
<> <> to
<> <> <> memory so that it will be able to quickly access data. All
<> relational
<> <> <> database management systems do this. Unless you are experiencing
<> <> problems
<> <> <> because of the high memory usage from SQL Server, I would not
worry.
<> <> <
<> <> <Occasionally Windows will report that Virtual Memory is low and
will
<> try
<> <> to
<> <> <increase the size of the paging file
<> <> <
<> <> <> 2. However, we can use max server memory to prevent SQL Server
from
<> <> using
<> <> <> more that the specified amount of memory (we can also use min
server
<> <> <> memory
<> <> <> to guarantee a minimum amount of memory to an instance of SQL
<> Server).
<> <> To
<> <> <> do so, open a commandrompt and run the following command:
<> <> <>
<> <> <> osql -E -S sbsserver\<instance name>
<> <> <>
<> <> <> You will enter the osql command prompt. Run the commends below
<> (replace
<> <> <> <xxx> with the amount of memory):
<> <> <>
<> <> <> 1> EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1
<> <> <> 2> reconfigure
<> <> <> 3> go
<> <> <>
<> <> <> 1> EXEC sp_configure 'min server memory', <xxx>
<> <> <> 2> reconfigure
<> <> <> 3> go
<> <> <>
<> <> <> 1> EXEC sp_configure 'max server memory', <xxx>
<> <> <> 2> reconfigure
<> <> <> 3> go
<> <> <>
<> <> <> After doing the above steps, you may run the commands to check
the
<> <> <> configured memory usage:
<> <> <>
<> <> <> 1> EXEC sp_configure
<> <> <> 2> go
<> <> <>
<> <> <> Hope above information help.
<> <> <
<> <> <What I did:
<> <> <
<> <> <Of the 4 sqlservr.exe processes running, the one with the greatest
<> total
<> <> <memory use (Mem Use + VM Size) was SBSMONITORING (Mem Usage:
112,000
<> K,
<> <> VM
<> <> <Size: 1,600,000 K). I used your instructions above to set a min
<> memory
<> <> size
<> <> <of 112 MB and a max memory size of 192 MB for that instance. Task
<> <> manager
<> <> <now reports the following for SBSMONITORING: Mem Usage: 110,216 K
|
<> VM
<> <> <Size: 233,832 K. I saw the change immediately, although I still
<> <> restarted
<> <> <that service for thoroughness.
<> <> <
<> <> <I will monitor this over time and report back. Already the commit
<> charge
<> <> <and PF Usage reported on the Performance tab of Task Manager have
<> dropped
<> <> <considerably.
<> <> <
<> <> <> If you need further assistance, please don't hesitate to let me
<> know.
<> <> <>
<> <> <> Best regards,
<> <> <>
<> <> <> Robert Li(MSFT)
<> <> <
<> <> <Thanks again Robert.
<> <> <
<> <> <Bryan
<> <> <
<> <> <
<> <> <
<> <>
<> <
<> <
<> <
<>
<
<
<



.

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