sys.dm_os_memory_cache_clock_hands (Transact-SQL)

Applies to: SQL Server Azure Synapse Analytics Analytics Platform System (PDW)

Returns the status of each hand for a specific cache clock.

Note

To call this from Azure Synapse Analytics or Analytics Platform System (PDW), use the name sys.dm_pdw_nodes_os_memory_cache_clock_hands. This syntax is not supported by serverless SQL pool in Azure Synapse Analytics.

Column name Data type Description
cache_address varbinary(8) Address of the cache associated with the clock. Is not nullable.
name nvarchar(256) Name of the cache. Is not nullable.
type nvarchar(60) Type of cache store. There can be several caches of the same type. Is not nullable.
clock_hand nvarchar(60) Type of hand. Value is one of the following:

External

Internal

Is not nullable.
clock_status nvarchar(60) Status of the clock. Value is one of the following:

Suspended

Running

Is not nullable.
rounds_count bigint Number of sweeps made through the cache to remove entries. Is not nullable.
removed_all_rounds_count bigint Number of entries removed by all sweeps. Is not nullable.
updated_last_round_count bigint Number of entries updated during the last sweep. Is not nullable.
removed_last_round_count bigint Number of entries removed during the last sweep. Is not nullable.
last_tick_time bigint Last time, in milliseconds, that the clock hand moved. Is not nullable.
round_start_time bigint Time, in milliseconds, of the previous sweep. Is not nullable.
last_round_start_time bigint Total time, in milliseconds, taken by the clock to complete the previous round. Is not nullable.
pdw_node_id int Applies to: Azure Synapse Analytics, Analytics Platform System (PDW)

The identifier for the node that this distribution is on.

Permissions

On SQL Server and SQL Managed Instance, requires VIEW SERVER STATE permission.

On SQL Database Basic, S0, and S1 service objectives, and for databases in elastic pools, the server admin account, the Microsoft Entra admin account, or membership in the ##MS_ServerStateReader## server role is required. On all other SQL Database service objectives, either the VIEW DATABASE STATE permission on the database, or membership in the ##MS_ServerStateReader## server role is required.

Permissions for SQL Server 2022 and later

Requires VIEW SERVER PERFORMANCE STATE permission on the server.

Remarks

SQL Server stores information in memory in a structure called a memory cache. The information in the cache can be data, index entries, compiled procedure plans, and various other types of SQL Server information. To avoid re-creating the information, it is retained the memory cache as long as possible and is ordinarily removed from the cache when it is too old to be useful, or when the memory space is needed for new information. The process that removes old information is called a memory sweep. The memory sweep is a frequent activity, but is not continuous. A clock algorithm controls the sweep of the memory cache. Each clock can control several memory sweeps, which are called hands. The memory-cache clock hand is the current location of one of the hands of a memory sweep.

See also

SQL Server Operating System Related Dynamic Management Views (Transact-SQL)
sys.dm_os_memory_cache_counters (Transact-SQL)