Multiple Instance Memory Utilization

I have a Dell server with 4GB of memory and 4 CPUs with 1.6G each, hosting
one major application database. SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition was
installed on the server, OS is Windows 2000 Server. Currently with single
instance installed, I checked the memory usage using task manager, the wholes
system can only use up to less then 2 GB of memory. The peak is less than 2
GB. The system neven utilizing more than 2 GM of memory. I am in the process
of doing server consolidation and planning to move another major application
database to this dell server. I want to utilize 4 G of memory after I
consolidate the other SQL server to the Dell Server. If I just move the
database to this dell server without creating a new instance, the most memory
we can utilize is 3GB with 3 GB switch set in boot.ini. If we create a new
instance, does that mean we can utilize the other 2 GB of Memory on the
server? Security is not a major concern when using single instance. What are
the Pros and Cons?
Thank you very much for your help.
You need Enterprise edition to use more than 2GB. Windows 2000 server does
not use the /3GB switch other than in a test scenario. Yes you can use two
instances and each can use 2GB but you have to be careful as now you can
lead to a situation where there is little left for the OS. If you are
consolidating then you should look at using Enterprise edition and Win2000
ADV Server (or Win2003) so you can use all 3GB for Sql Server and have a GB
for the OS and any other apps.
Andrew J. Kelly SQL MVP
"royHe" <royHe@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8B395A5C-26F6-4E71-95B2-D9CE53E62100@.microsoft.com...
>I have a Dell server with 4GB of memory and 4 CPUs with 1.6G each, hosting
> one major application database. SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition was
> installed on the server, OS is Windows 2000 Server. Currently with single
> instance installed, I checked the memory usage using task manager, the
> wholes
> system can only use up to less then 2 GB of memory. The peak is less than
> 2
> GB. The system neven utilizing more than 2 GM of memory. I am in the
> process
> of doing server consolidation and planning to move another major
> application
> database to this dell server. I want to utilize 4 G of memory after I
> consolidate the other SQL server to the Dell Server. If I just move the
> database to this dell server without creating a new instance, the most
> memory
> we can utilize is 3GB with 3 GB switch set in boot.ini. If we create a new
> instance, does that mean we can utilize the other 2 GB of Memory on the
> server? Security is not a major concern when using single instance. What
> are
> the Pros and Cons?
> Thank you very much for your help.
>
|||Thank you very much.
This is a dedicated SQL server. I find out in my situation the OS use very
little memory. Probably If I reserve 256M to 300M for the OS is enough.
Currently the peak for the OS Memory usage is around 250M.
"Andrew J. Kelly" wrote:

> You need Enterprise edition to use more than 2GB. Windows 2000 server does
> not use the /3GB switch other than in a test scenario. Yes you can use two
> instances and each can use 2GB but you have to be careful as now you can
> lead to a situation where there is little left for the OS. If you are
> consolidating then you should look at using Enterprise edition and Win2000
> ADV Server (or Win2003) so you can use all 3GB for Sql Server and have a GB
> for the OS and any other apps.
> --
> Andrew J. Kelly SQL MVP
>
> "royHe" <royHe@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:8B395A5C-26F6-4E71-95B2-D9CE53E62100@.microsoft.com...
>
>