sys.dm_exec_query_resource_semaphores (Transact-SQL)
Applies to: 
SQL Server
Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Azure Synapse Analytics
Analytics Platform System (PDW)
Returns the information about the current query-resource semaphore status in SQL Server. sys.dm_exec_query_resource_semaphores provides general query-execution memory status and allows you to determine whether the system can access enough memory. This view complements memory information obtained from sys.dm_os_memory_clerks to provide a complete picture of server memory status. sys.dm_exec_query_resource_semaphores returns one row for the regular resource semaphore and another row for the small-query resource semaphore. There are two requirements for a small-query semaphore:
The memory grant requested should be less than 5 MB
The query cost should be less than 3 cost units
Note
To call this from Azure Synapse Analytics or Analytics Platform System (PDW), use the name sys.dm_pdw_nodes_exec_query_resource_semaphores. This syntax is not supported by serverless SQL pool in Azure Synapse Analytics.
| Column name | Data type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| resource_semaphore_id | smallint | Nonunique ID of the resource semaphore. 0 for the regular resource semaphore and 1 for the small-query resource semaphore. |
| target_memory_kb | bigint | Grant usage target in kilobytes. |
| max_target_memory_kb | bigint | Maximum potential target in kilobytes. NULL for the small-query resource semaphore. |
| total_memory_kb | bigint | Memory held by the resource semaphore in kilobytes. If the system is under memory pressure or if forced minimum memory is granted frequently, this value can be larger than the target_memory_kb or max_target_memory_kb values. Total memory is a sum of available and granted memory. |
| available_memory_kb | bigint | Memory available for a new grant in kilobytes. |
| granted_memory_kb | bigint | Total granted memory in kilobytes. |
| used_memory_kb | bigint | Physically used part of granted memory in kilobytes. |
| grantee_count | int | Number of active queries that have their grants satisfied. |
| waiter_count | int | Number of queries waiting for grants to be satisfied. |
| timeout_error_count | bigint | Total number of time-out errors since server startup. NULL for the small-query resource semaphore. |
| forced_grant_count | bigint | Total number of forced minimum-memory grants since server startup. NULL for the small-query resource semaphore. |
| pool_id | int | ID of the resource pool to which this resource semaphore belongs. |
| 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
Queries that use dynamic management views that include ORDER BY or aggregates might increase memory consumption and thus contribute to the problem they are troubleshooting.
Use sys.dm_exec_query_resource_semaphores for troubleshooting but do not include it in applications that will use future versions of SQL Server.
The Resource Governor feature enables a database administrator to distribute server resources among resource pools, up to a maximum of 64 pools. In SQL Server 2012 (11.x) and higher, each pool behaves like a small independent server instance and requires 2 semaphores.
See Also
Execution Related Dynamic Management Views and Functions (Transact-SQL)
sys.dm_exec_query_memory_grants (Transact-SQL)