Home > Workload Solutions > SQL Server > Guides > Microsoft SQL 2019 on Intel Optane Persistent Memory (PMem) Using Dell PowerEdge Servers > Document purpose
This guide examines the different features that are available with SQL Server 2019, its working principles, and configuration options that take advantage of Intel Optane Persistent Memory (PMem). In testing this solution, Dell Technologies solution engineers evaluated OLAP database workloads (that is, TPC-H) with Microsoft SQL Server 2019 when using the NVM device as an in-memory buffer pool or persistent storage. We also evaluated Persistent Memory (PMem), which can provide large main memory capacities in Memory Mode (PMem-MM). Memory Mode is an effective alternative to traditional DRAM in SQL Server database. It can be used as an extension for the memory available for the SQL Server buffer pool and data cache or to extend portions of in-memory environments. For more information, see Intel Optane PMem operating modes.
In this design guide, we also share recommendations for future DBMS design with PMem because hardware or software changes might not be sufficient to optimize the use of PMem in DBMSs.