In SQL Server, you can use Address Windowing Extensions (AWE) to provide access to physical memory in excess of the limits set on configured virtual memory.

If the option has been enabled, the message "Address Windowing Extensions enabled" is written to the SQL Server error log when the instance of SQL Server is started.

Before you use AWE, you must first configure the Microsoft Windows Lock Pages in Memory policy. For more information, see How to: Enable the Lock Pages in Memory Option (Windows).

To support more than 4 GB of physical memory on 32-bit operating systems, you must add the /pae parameter to the boot.ini file and reboot the computer. See your Windows documentation for details.

 To configure the AWE enabled option

1. In Object Explorer, right-click a server and select Properties.

2. Click the Memory node.

3. Under Server memory options, select Use AWE to allocate memory.

 See Also

Concepts

awe enabled Option

Other Resources

Using AWE
Enabling Memory Support for Over 4 GB of Physical Memory
Enabling AWE Memory for SQL Server

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2008 Assistance