Hot-add memory support in Windows Server

On x86-based and x64-based platforms, some Windows Server editions support hot-add memory, which allows ranges of physical memory to be added to a running operating system without requiring a system reboot. This article describes how system manufacturers can take advantage of hot-add memory support in the following Windows Server editions:

  • Windows Server 2008 R2, Enterprise Edition and Datacenter Edition
  • Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Edition and Datacenter Edition
  • Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition and Datacenter Edition

In this section

Topic Description

Hardware support for hot-add memory in Windows Server

This topic discusses hardware support for hot-add memory in Windows Server.

Operating system support for hot-add memory in Windows Server

This topic discusses operating system support for hot-add memory in Windows Server.

Call to action for hot-add memory support in Windows Server

This topic describes how manufacturers can support hot-add memory support in Windows Server.

 

Updated: October 28, 2010

Hot-add memory minimizes a common source of server downtime: requiring the server to be powered off and subsequently rebooted during memory upgrades. Hot-add memory allows ranges of physical memory to be added to a running operating system without requiring the system to be shut down. This allows an administrator to add memory to a running system to address existing or future needs for memory without incurring downtime for the system or applications.

Starting with Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1), Enterprise Edition and Datacenter Edition supports hot-add memory on both x64-based and Intel Itanium-based 64-bit platforms.

Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition and Datacenter Edition support hot-add memory on x86-based ACPI platforms only.

Static Resource Affinity Table

ACPI 2.0 Specification

 

 

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