A vendor sold us a Windows 2003 Server Std Edition 32-Bit, with (2)
Xeon Processors and 8GB of memory -to be used as SQL Server only--is a
member Server in domain..

We ask him why he sold us 8GB since a 32-bit OS could only utilize
4GB. He said it was because there were dual processors and they could
each utilize 4GB each...that just does notsound right to us???

The other server he sold us at the same time has same OS, but (1) Quad-
Core and 4GB --and it is the DC in the domain with the SQL above.

If he is correct, could the (1) Quad-core CPU utilize 8GB???

Thanks for any input

Hello PorBar,

No, 2003 Standard Edition 32bit can only address 4 GB, this has nothing to
do with the processors. To address up to 32GB RAM in Standard edition you
need the 64bit OS version.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

> A vendor sold us a Windows 2003 Server Std Edition 32-Bit, with (2)
> Xeon Processors and 8GB of memory -to be used as SQL Server only--is a
> member Server in domain..
>
> We ask him why he sold us 8GB since a 32-bit OS could only utilize
> 4GB. He said it was because there were dual processors and they could
> each utilize 4GB each...that just does notsound right to us???
>
> The other server he sold us at the same time has same OS, but (1)
> Quad- Core and 4GB --and it is the DC in the domain with the SQL
> above.
>
> If he is correct, could the (1) Quad-core CPU utilize 8GB???
>
> Thanks for any input
>

Well, he sold you the sales talk.

There's no way that Windows 2003 Server Std Edition 32-bit will utilize more
than 4GB of memory regardless of number of cores and processor sockets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Server_2003

You should have bought Win2008, 64-bit.


"PorBar" <compsosinc@newsgroup> wrote in message
news:b3d0099b-f6f7-4e7b-a292-14f14e2a3438@newsgroup

> A vendor sold us a Windows 2003 Server Std Edition 32-Bit, with (2)
> Xeon Processors and 8GB of memory -to be used as SQL Server only--is a
> member Server in domain..
>
> We ask him why he sold us 8GB since a 32-bit OS could only utilize
> 4GB. He said it was because there were dual processors and they could
> each utilize 4GB each...that just does notsound right to us???
>
> The other server he sold us at the same time has same OS, but (1) Quad-
> Core and 4GB --and it is the DC in the domain with the SQL above.
>
> If he is correct, could the (1) Quad-core CPU utilize 8GB???
>
> Thanks for any input

"PorBar" <compsosinc@newsgroup> wrote in message
news:b3d0099b-f6f7-4e7b-a292-14f14e2a3438@newsgroup

>A vendor sold us a Windows 2003 Server Std Edition 32-Bit, with (2)
> Xeon Processors and 8GB of memory -to be used as SQL Server only--is a
> member Server in domain..
>
> We ask him why he sold us 8GB since a 32-bit OS could only utilize
> 4GB. He said it was because there were dual processors and they could
> each utilize 4GB each...that just does notsound right to us???
>
> The other server he sold us at the same time has same OS, but (1) Quad-
> Core and 4GB --and it is the DC in the domain with the SQL above.
>
> If he is correct, could the (1) Quad-core CPU utilize 8GB???
>
> Thanks for any input

Yes it can, by using the /pae switch in the boot.ini. The switch will tell a
32 bit /pae aware OS that there is 4GB or more of RAM, and how to address it
beyond the physical 4GB addressable limit (based on registers in the Intel
CPU). However, many apps don't recognize the extension, but SQL and Exchange
do.

I don't know if Google Groups, where you're posting from, will allow you to
search or look back at a newsgroup thread link, but I will copy/paste below
the reference and what transpired to get a better understanding of the /pae
in that discussion.

Keep in mind, Google Groups, where you're posting from, as well as
TechArena and dozens of other web-based groups ALL pull and push their
postings into the Microsoft newsgroups. It's rather much easier to use a
newsreader than using their web-based portals. It's easier to search, mark
threads, and a number of other things.

From: =?Utf-8?B?RGFuIERlQ291cnNleQ==?=
<DanDeCoursey@newsgroup>
Subject: Page file
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:16:02 -0700
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.server.general

================
"Dan DeCoursey" <DanDeCoursey@newsgroup> wrote in message
news098BA7A-3ED4-472B-9C09-B972C17637B5@newsgroup

>
> Hello Bruce,
>
> Well it seems as if I keep re iterating the same detials over and over;
>
> My server has 4gb ram installed.... you folks keep saying that 1.5 times
> is
> the "default" ....then why was mine set originally at minimum=2048
> max=4098 ?
> I , since, have examined a couple other servers here and they are the
> same.
> ( these servers are all the same box (hp ml350g5) configured using my
> "standard config" which is Server 2003 standard w/4gb ram) This appears to
> me
> to be the "default" 2048/4096
> The recommedation to establish a pagefile that is 1.5 times the physical
> ram
> = 6144 .. this is what I was origianlly after but when I attempted to
> make
> that change in the pagefile size.. it would say "please select a
> maximun files size that is equal to, or less than 4096"
>
> please expalin this ?
>
> So I then put the /PEA option in the boot.ini...then the server
> permitted
> me to change the pagefileto 6144 ( min and max) and it was
> accepted....
>
> what have I Done ? something good or bad or indifferent?
>
> installing more ram will that do anything more for me since I am running
> 32
> bit server 2003 standard edition ?
>
> I appreciate everyones patience in me getting a grip on this

The /pae (you mentioned /pea) switch allows the system to see beyond the
physical 32bit addressable spectrum. If you take 2^32, it equals to 4GB (4
294 967 296 bytes), hence the 4GB limitation and why the system would not
let you set a pagefile beyond what it can read physically. Once you set the
/pae, it now can 'address' beyond it's 4GB limit.

The reason the pagefile is not setting beyond 4GB is because it simply can't
address beyond the 4GB, because you are implying to the system that there is
more than 4GB of ram when you set it higher than 4GB, therefore it's simply
saying, in layman's terms, "I don't understand." Once the /pae is in place,
now it can address it.

FYI, a 64 bit system is 2^64 which equals to 18,446,744,073,709,551,616
bytes, (whatever denomination they call it), which is pretty large. I don't
think there's any hardware yet in production that can handle that number. If
there is, they haven't told us yet or I haven't heard of it.

Is it bad, good or indifferent? It depends on what you have running, and if
that app can truly 'read' that extra RAM the /pae is providing. SQL and
Exchange will, other apps may not.

Just to recall back to the Pentium III days, they offered a PSE (Page Size
Extension) to allow addressing up to 64 GB by adding 4 more bits to the
memory register (2^36). Not that I used it, knew anyone that used it, nor
what apps recognized it, but it existed.

More info on PAE and what it means. Keep in mind it is not a Microsoft
thing, rather it is an Intel thing (many folks don't know that) in how the
CPU addressable register area is constructed (the register in the CPU that
indicates the beginning byte and end byte of a memory area).

Physical Address Extension - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaIn computing,
Physical Address Extension (PAE) is a feature of some x86 and x86-64
processors that enables the use of more than 4 gigabytes of physical ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_Address_Extension

Physical Address Extension - PAE Memory and WindowsFeb 9, 2005 ... Describes
the design issues for systems capable of supporting greater than 4 GB of
memory and for the adapters and drivers used in such ...
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system...AE/PAEdrv.mspx

Operating Systems and PAE SupportJul 14, 2006 ... Describes some techniques
that Windows 2000 and several UNIX operating systems use to provide support
to applications using Physical Address Extension ...
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system...AE/pae_os.mspx

I hope that helps!

--
Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
confers no rights.

Please reply back to the newsgroup or forum for collaboration benefit among
responding engineers, and to help others benefit from your resolution.

Ace Fekay, MCT, MCTS Exchange, MCSE, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSA Messaging
Microsoft Certified Trainer

For urgent issues, please contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please check
http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.

Not on standard edition.


"Ace Fekay [MCT]" <aceman@newsgroup> wrote in message
news:OnKC44JLKHA.4004@newsgroup

> "PorBar" <compsosinc@newsgroup> wrote in message
> news:b3d0099b-f6f7-4e7b-a292-14f14e2a3438@newsgroup

>>A vendor sold us a Windows 2003 Server Std Edition 32-Bit, with (2)
>> Xeon Processors and 8GB of memory -to be used as SQL Server only--is a
>> member Server in domain..
>>
>> We ask him why he sold us 8GB since a 32-bit OS could only utilize
>> 4GB. He said it was because there were dual processors and they could
>> each utilize 4GB each...that just does notsound right to us???
>>
>> The other server he sold us at the same time has same OS, but (1) Quad-
>> Core and 4GB --and it is the DC in the domain with the SQL above.
>>
>> If he is correct, could the (1) Quad-core CPU utilize 8GB???
>>
>> Thanks for any input

>
>
> Yes it can, by using the /pae switch in the boot.ini. The switch will tell
> a 32 bit /pae aware OS that there is 4GB or more of RAM, and how to
> address it beyond the physical 4GB addressable limit (based on registers
> in the Intel CPU). However, many apps don't recognize the extension, but
> SQL and Exchange do.
>
> I don't know if Google Groups, where you're posting from, will allow you
> to search or look back at a newsgroup thread link, but I will copy/paste
> below the reference and what transpired to get a better understanding of
> the /pae in that discussion.
>
> Keep in mind, Google Groups, where you're posting from, as well as
> TechArena and dozens of other web-based groups ALL pull and push their
> postings into the Microsoft newsgroups. It's rather much easier to use a
> newsreader than using their web-based portals. It's easier to search, mark
> threads, and a number of other things.
>
> From: =?Utf-8?B?RGFuIERlQ291cnNleQ==?=
> <DanDeCoursey@newsgroup>
> Subject: Page file
> Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:16:02 -0700
> Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.server.general
>
> ================
> "Dan DeCoursey" <DanDeCoursey@newsgroup> wrote in message
> news098BA7A-3ED4-472B-9C09-B972C17637B5@newsgroup

>>
>> Hello Bruce,
>>
>> Well it seems as if I keep re iterating the same detials over and over;
>>
>> My server has 4gb ram installed.... you folks keep saying that 1.5 times
>> is
>> the "default" ....then why was mine set originally at minimum=2048
>> max=4098 ?
>> I , since, have examined a couple other servers here and they are the
>> same.
>> ( these servers are all the same box (hp ml350g5) configured using my
>> "standard config" which is Server 2003 standard w/4gb ram) This appears
>> to
>> me
>> to be the "default" 2048/4096
>> The recommedation to establish a pagefile that is 1.5 times the physical
>> ram
>> = 6144 .. this is what I was origianlly after but when I attempted to
>> make
>> that change in the pagefile size.. it would say "please select a
>> maximun files size that is equal to, or less than 4096"
>>
>> please expalin this ?
>>
>> So I then put the /PEA option in the boot.ini...then the server
>> permitted
>> me to change the pagefileto 6144 ( min and max) and it was
>> accepted....
>>
>> what have I Done ? something good or bad or indifferent?
>>
>> installing more ram will that do anything more for me since I am running
>> 32
>> bit server 2003 standard edition ?
>>
>> I appreciate everyones patience in me getting a grip on this

>
> The /pae (you mentioned /pea) switch allows the system to see beyond the
> physical 32bit addressable spectrum. If you take 2^32, it equals to 4GB (4
> 294 967 296 bytes), hence the 4GB limitation and why the system would not
> let you set a pagefile beyond what it can read physically. Once you set
> the
> /pae, it now can 'address' beyond it's 4GB limit.
>
> The reason the pagefile is not setting beyond 4GB is because it simply
> can't
> address beyond the 4GB, because you are implying to the system that there
> is
> more than 4GB of ram when you set it higher than 4GB, therefore it's
> simply
> saying, in layman's terms, "I don't understand." Once the /pae is in
> place,
> now it can address it.
>
> FYI, a 64 bit system is 2^64 which equals to 18,446,744,073,709,551,616
> bytes, (whatever denomination they call it), which is pretty large. I
> don't
> think there's any hardware yet in production that can handle that number.
> If
> there is, they haven't told us yet or I haven't heard of it.
>
> Is it bad, good or indifferent? It depends on what you have running, and
> if
> that app can truly 'read' that extra RAM the /pae is providing. SQL and
> Exchange will, other apps may not.
>
> Just to recall back to the Pentium III days, they offered a PSE (Page Size
> Extension) to allow addressing up to 64 GB by adding 4 more bits to the
> memory register (2^36). Not that I used it, knew anyone that used it, nor
> what apps recognized it, but it existed.
>
> More info on PAE and what it means. Keep in mind it is not a Microsoft
> thing, rather it is an Intel thing (many folks don't know that) in how the
> CPU addressable register area is constructed (the register in the CPU that
> indicates the beginning byte and end byte of a memory area).
>
> Physical Address Extension - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaIn computing,
> Physical Address Extension (PAE) is a feature of some x86 and x86-64
> processors that enables the use of more than 4 gigabytes of physical ...
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_Address_Extension
>
> Physical Address Extension - PAE Memory and WindowsFeb 9, 2005 ...
> Describes
> the design issues for systems capable of supporting greater than 4 GB of
> memory and for the adapters and drivers used in such ...
> http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system...AE/PAEdrv.mspx
>
> Operating Systems and PAE SupportJul 14, 2006 ... Describes some
> techniques
> that Windows 2000 and several UNIX operating systems use to provide
> support
> to applications using Physical Address Extension ...
> http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system...AE/pae_os.mspx
>
> I hope that helps!
>
> --
> Ace
>
> This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
> confers no rights.
>
> Please reply back to the newsgroup or forum for collaboration benefit
> among
> responding engineers, and to help others benefit from your resolution.
>
> Ace Fekay, MCT, MCTS Exchange, MCSE, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSA Messaging
> Microsoft Certified Trainer
>
> For urgent issues, please contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please check
> http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.
>
>
>
>
>

"Dusko Savatovic" <savatovic@newsgroup> wrote in message
news:Obc9f%23JLKHA.3632@newsgroup

> Not on standard edition.
>

Yes, thanks for the reminder. Standard Edition does not support beyond 4GB,
therefore the switch does not apply.

Ace

Ace

The PAE switch cannot be used as you posted on the Windows Server Standard Edition

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"Ace Fekay [MCT]" <aceman@newsgroup> wrote in message
news:OnKC44JLKHA.4004@newsgroup

> "PorBar" <compsosinc@newsgroup> wrote in message
> news:b3d0099b-f6f7-4e7b-a292-14f14e2a3438@newsgroup

>>A vendor sold us a Windows 2003 Server Std Edition 32-Bit, with (2)
>> Xeon Processors and 8GB of memory -to be used as SQL Server only--is a
>> member Server in domain..
>>
>> We ask him why he sold us 8GB since a 32-bit OS could only utilize
>> 4GB. He said it was because there were dual processors and they could
>> each utilize 4GB each...that just does notsound right to us???
>>
>> The other server he sold us at the same time has same OS, but (1) Quad-
>> Core and 4GB --and it is the DC in the domain with the SQL above.
>>
>> If he is correct, could the (1) Quad-core CPU utilize 8GB???
>>
>> Thanks for any input

>
>
> Yes it can, by using the /pae switch in the boot.ini. The switch will tell a 32
> bit /pae aware OS that there is 4GB or more of RAM, and how to address it beyond
> the physical 4GB addressable limit (based on registers in the Intel CPU). However,
> many apps don't recognize the extension, but SQL and Exchange do.
>
> I don't know if Google Groups, where you're posting from, will allow you to search
> or look back at a newsgroup thread link, but I will copy/paste below the reference
> and what transpired to get a better understanding of the /pae in that discussion.
>
> Keep in mind, Google Groups, where you're posting from, as well as TechArena and
> dozens of other web-based groups ALL pull and push their postings into the
> Microsoft newsgroups. It's rather much easier to use a newsreader than using their
> web-based portals. It's easier to search, mark threads, and a number of other
> things.
>
> From: =?Utf-8?B?RGFuIERlQ291cnNleQ==?= <DanDeCoursey@newsgroup>
> Subject: Page file
> Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:16:02 -0700
> Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.server.general
>
> ================
> "Dan DeCoursey" <DanDeCoursey@newsgroup> wrote in message
> news098BA7A-3ED4-472B-9C09-B972C17637B5@newsgroup

>>
>> Hello Bruce,
>>
>> Well it seems as if I keep re iterating the same detials over and over;
>>
>> My server has 4gb ram installed.... you folks keep saying that 1.5 times
>> is
>> the "default" ....then why was mine set originally at minimum=2048
>> max=4098 ?
>> I , since, have examined a couple other servers here and they are the
>> same.
>> ( these servers are all the same box (hp ml350g5) configured using my
>> "standard config" which is Server 2003 standard w/4gb ram) This appears to
>> me
>> to be the "default" 2048/4096
>> The recommedation to establish a pagefile that is 1.5 times the physical
>> ram
>> = 6144 .. this is what I was origianlly after but when I attempted to
>> make
>> that change in the pagefile size.. it would say "please select a
>> maximun files size that is equal to, or less than 4096"
>>
>> please expalin this ?
>>
>> So I then put the /PEA option in the boot.ini...then the server
>> permitted
>> me to change the pagefileto 6144 ( min and max) and it was
>> accepted....
>>
>> what have I Done ? something good or bad or indifferent?
>>
>> installing more ram will that do anything more for me since I am running
>> 32
>> bit server 2003 standard edition ?
>>
>> I appreciate everyones patience in me getting a grip on this

>
> The /pae (you mentioned /pea) switch allows the system to see beyond the
> physical 32bit addressable spectrum. If you take 2^32, it equals to 4GB (4
> 294 967 296 bytes), hence the 4GB limitation and why the system would not
> let you set a pagefile beyond what it can read physically. Once you set the
> /pae, it now can 'address' beyond it's 4GB limit.
>
> The reason the pagefile is not setting beyond 4GB is because it simply can't
> address beyond the 4GB, because you are implying to the system that there is
> more than 4GB of ram when you set it higher than 4GB, therefore it's simply
> saying, in layman's terms, "I don't understand." Once the /pae is in place,
> now it can address it.
>
> FYI, a 64 bit system is 2^64 which equals to 18,446,744,073,709,551,616
> bytes, (whatever denomination they call it), which is pretty large. I don't
> think there's any hardware yet in production that can handle that number. If
> there is, they haven't told us yet or I haven't heard of it.
>
> Is it bad, good or indifferent? It depends on what you have running, and if
> that app can truly 'read' that extra RAM the /pae is providing. SQL and
> Exchange will, other apps may not.
>
> Just to recall back to the Pentium III days, they offered a PSE (Page Size
> Extension) to allow addressing up to 64 GB by adding 4 more bits to the
> memory register (2^36). Not that I used it, knew anyone that used it, nor
> what apps recognized it, but it existed.
>
> More info on PAE and what it means. Keep in mind it is not a Microsoft
> thing, rather it is an Intel thing (many folks don't know that) in how the
> CPU addressable register area is constructed (the register in the CPU that
> indicates the beginning byte and end byte of a memory area).
>
> Physical Address Extension - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaIn computing,
> Physical Address Extension (PAE) is a feature of some x86 and x86-64
> processors that enables the use of more than 4 gigabytes of physical ...
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_Address_Extension
>
> Physical Address Extension - PAE Memory and WindowsFeb 9, 2005 ... Describes
> the design issues for systems capable of supporting greater than 4 GB of
> memory and for the adapters and drivers used in such ...
> http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system...AE/PAEdrv.mspx
>
> Operating Systems and PAE SupportJul 14, 2006 ... Describes some techniques
> that Windows 2000 and several UNIX operating systems use to provide support
> to applications using Physical Address Extension ...
> http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system...AE/pae_os.mspx
>
> I hope that helps!
>
> --
> Ace
>
> This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
> confers no rights.
>
> Please reply back to the newsgroup or forum for collaboration benefit among
> responding engineers, and to help others benefit from your resolution.
>
> Ace Fekay, MCT, MCTS Exchange, MCSE, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSA Messaging
> Microsoft Certified Trainer
>
> For urgent issues, please contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please check
> http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.
>
>
>
>
>

"Peter Foldes" <okf22@newsgroup> wrote in message
news:eDDI9aKLKHA.1248@newsgroup

> Ace
>
> The PAE switch cannot be used as you posted on the Windows Server Standard
> Edition
>
> --
> Peter

Thanks, Peter. I actually knew that and didn't catch it when I previously
posted. Thanks for catching it. I should have been a little more attentive
reading the original post.

Ace

On Sep 3, 11:01*am, "Ace Fekay [MCT]" <ace...@newsgroup>
wrote:

> "Peter Foldes" <ok...@newsgroup> wrote in message
>
> news:eDDI9aKLKHA.1248@newsgroup
>

> > Ace

>

> > The PAE switch cannot be used as you posted on the Windows Server Standard
> > Edition

>

> > --
> > Peter

>
> Thanks, Peter. I actually knew that and didn't catch it when I previously
> posted. Thanks for catching it. I should have been a little more attentive
> reading the original post.
>
> Ace

Thanks everyone..I thought he was talking the "salestalk". I told him
I did not think he was right and would research it.He said he would
too--see what he come up with.
Could not use 2008 or 64-bit in this network..

"PorBar" <compsosinc@newsgroup> wrote in message
news:34258d9d-29c6-4603-9e6e-6ee0e831a9a9@newsgroup

>
> Thanks everyone..I thought he was talking the "salestalk". I told him
> I did not think he was right and would research it.He said he would
> too--see what he come up with.
> Could not use 2008 or 64-bit in this network..

You are welcome. At least you are now armed with info.

Ace