Hardware Benefits of the Enterprise Edition (2000) 2

[JohnBates]

hi all,

We have 2000 Standard running on a server that is Server 2000 and 2 processors, total of 3 GB RAM.

I want to make a case for upgrading this server to SQL Server 2000 Enterprise and replace the server with a more powerful one. We will not have time to convert DTS packages etc to SQL Server 2005, though that would be nice.

If we keep the same OS (2000 Server) but upgrade to 2000 Enterprise, will we be able to use more than 2 processors and more than 2GB of memory? KI know Enterprise can go up to 64GB RAM and 32 processors, but will it actually USE them if the operating system is still 2000 Server?


And do you know what the Upgrade cost might be for going from 2000 Std to 2000 Enterprise for 1 server license and 25 CALs?

Thanks a lot! John

 

[ptheriault]

Hey John,
Yes if you upgrade to Enterprise it would use the added memory or CPU's. To use more than 2gb you would have to enable 3gb in the boot.ini file and AWE with sp_configure.

Things to look at to see if you need more memory:
Max Page Life expectancy (should be above 300 seconds)
Buffer Cache hit Ratio (should be above 90%)

For CPU you want to check what is the most common waittype from sysprocesses. If they are SCHEDULER relaited you could have cpu bottleneck.

- Paul

- If at first you don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.

 

[mrdenny]

Windows 2000 Server Standard supports only 4 Gigs of RAM (

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555223)

Windows 2000 Server Standard supports only 4 CPUs (

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/docs/hyperthreading.doc)

In order to get the most out of this upgrade you will need to purchase Windows 2000 Enterprise Edition as well.

You should look into using Windows 2003 instead. Enterprise will still be needed to go over 4 Gigs of RAM or 4 CPUs.

The cost of a Standard to Enterprise upgrade is the cost of the Enterprise Server License. Your CALs are still valid.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

 

[JohnBates]

..."if you upgrade to Enterprise it would use the added memory or CPU's"

Thanks to both of you for the info.

Somewhat conflicting replies but I think mrdenny is correct
in saying 2000 Server Standard will not utilize more than 4 GB RAM.

Thanks. John

 

[ptheriault]

Denny is correct. As it stands now you could upgrade to 4 gb and 4 cpu's But you would be better off going to 2003 Enterprise Edition.

- Paul

- If at first you don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.

 

[JohnBates]

.... a couple more questions.

Does Windows Server 2003 Standard allow for more than 4 GB RAM or will I need 2003 Enterprise ?

Does enabling AWE really work? I've heard conflicting opinions.

Thanks, John

 

[JohnBates]

anyone know ?

 

[ptheriault]

It's 4 gb for 2003 32 bit
it's 2 to the 64 power for 64 bit.

If you hardware is 64 bit you don't need AWE. You just lock the pages in memory. If you use 32 bit you enable AWE and put PAE and 3gb in you boot.ini file. I've never run into any problems with AWE before.


- Paul

- If at first you don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.

 

[mrdenny]

Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition supports only 4 GB of RAM reguardless of hardware platform. The 4 Gig limit is a licensing limit, not a physically imposed limit.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/features/featuresorterresults.aspx

(Section labled "Support for 4 GB of RAM")

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com