Total Memory & Target Memory Relationship

[Ryan Jacops]

What is the proper relationship between "Total Server
Memory (KB)" and "Target Server Memory (KB)" for a
properly configured SQL Server?

According to the last two paragraphs of the following
article, these two counters should be about the same.
Otherwise, the article indicates you need more RAM:
http://www.sql-server-
performance.com/performance_monitor_counters_memory.asp

However, one of our new servers (W2K Server, SQL2K SP3
Standard Edition) has plenty of RAM with 2.5 GB and is set
up to use dynamic memory allocation. With no database set
up yet and no applications using this server yet,
performance monitor shows the target memory far higher
than the total memory. Target is about 2.3 GB and total
is about 40 MB. Does this indicate a problem? If so,
what is the solution?

My guess is that perhaps this does not indicate a problem
and the total memory will actually creep up dynamically as
needed. There appears to be very little documentation on
this subject.

Thanks In Advance,

Ryan Jacops

[Andrew J. Kelly]

Target is essentially what it thinks it can get but depends on how sql
server and the OS are configured. Total is what it is current consuming and
will only be the same as Target when it starts up if your using AWE. Kalen
Delaney just did a great article on this in this months SQL Server Magazine.
I suggest you get a hold of that for more details. But in your particular
case it is nothing to worry about. One thing to note though. Since you have
SQL Standard Edition you can only use 2GB for SQL Server anyway. It will
actually end up being more like 1.7GB.

--

Andrew J. Kelly
SQL Server MVP

"Ryan Jacops" <nospam...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:04b201c31319$badf6aa0$a601...@phx.gbl...

[Ryan Jacops]

Thank You!

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