SQL Server Consumes High Memory in a Single-Tier Environment

Products

• Carbon Black App Control

Issue/Introduction

• SQL Server consumes high memory in a single tier environment
• SQL Server is using up all the available memory on the server host

Environment

• App Control Server: All Supported Versions
• Microsoft SQL Server: All Supported Versions
• Microsoft Windows OS: All Supported Versions

Cause

The memory limit for SQL Server is set at the default, unlimited. According to Microsoft:

By default, a SQL Server instance may over time consume most of the available Windows operating system memory in the server.  Once the memory is acquired, it will not be released unless memory pressure is detected. This is by design and does not indicate a memory leak in the SQL Server process.

Resolution

Adjust the SQL Server Maximum Memory to a value below the total system RAM that matches the requirements specified in the App Control SQL Server Configuration guide.

Additional Information

• SQL Express has a built-in memory cap of 1GB
• SQL Server will use all memory assigned to it, so set the maximum limit accordingly.