Ensuring Memory and Processor Resources

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Remote management software tools that run on a management computer use memory, disk, and processor resources. Remote management services that run on a managed server use memory and processor resources. Although you typically do not need to add memory or processor resources for remote management, you might want to ensure that the tools you choose do not degrade server performance, especially on critical servers such as domain controllers.

Remote management tools that support graphical user interfaces use more processor resources than command-line tools do. If you are concerned about the effect of a specific remote management tool on server performance, test the tasks you plan to perform with the tool to ensure that the current memory and processor resources can accommodate remote management. The task you perform with a tool affects processor activity more than the tool itself.

Remote management tools use memory on both the management computer and the server. If the computers meet minimum hardware requirements, remote management tools typically do not cause memory usage performance problems. If you optimize memory by terminating all nonessential services and processes, such as on a Web server, you might want to verify that your remote management tools do not have an impact on performance. For more information about assessing memory usage on remote management computers and servers, see the Storage Technologies Collection of the Windows Server 2003 Technical Reference (or see the Storage Technologies Collection on the Web at https://www.microsoft.com/reskit).