The Windows Server 2003 /3GB switch is not supported in Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 or in later versions or in SharePoint Portal Server 2003 SP2 or in later versions

  • Article

Thinks

  • Used to be the magic bullet, /3GB that is.
  • Quote form the KB article
    • “
    • The /3GB switch changes the way that the Microsoft Windows 4 GB virtual address space is split up. Instead of splitting the 4 GB virtual address space into 2 GB of user mode virtual address space and 2 GB of kernel mode virtual address space, the split is modified to 3 GB of user mode virtual address space and 1 GB of kernel mode virtual address space. In certain scenarios, this split can starve the kernel for memory and cause system-wide problems. Additionally, applications must be specifically compiled to take advantage of this larger address space.
    • The ability to use the /3GB switch in Windows SharePoint Services was eliminated when large file support was introduced in Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 Service Pack 2 (SP2). Large file support requires using large kernel mode memory buffers that cause instability in Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0 when the /3GB switch is used.
    • Reducing the size of the kernel mode memory buffers when in /3GB mode causes unacceptable performance in Windows SharePoint Services file-transfer operations. Therefore, a decision was made not to support the /3GB switch in Windows SharePoint Services. Windows SharePoint Services will run if you use the /3GB switch. However, the operating system will become unstable in scenarios in which the server is under stress.
    • The appropriate solution to use in an environment in which Windows SharePoint Services requires a large volume of memory is a 64-bit version of Windows SharePoint Services on a 64-bit operating system. Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 support 64-bit environments.
    • “
  • GREAT
    • Good information to know
    • Yea! another reason to go to 64 Bit OS
  • SOMEWHAT GREAT
    • hmm
  • NOT SO GREAT
    • It is common for System Engineers/Admins to try adding this switch as it has worked on other apps.