seniorT-SQL
How does SQL Server buffer pool management work?
Updated May 17, 2026
Short answer
The buffer pool is SQL Server’s memory area for caching data pages.
Deep explanation
When data is read, pages are loaded into the buffer pool to reduce disk IO. SQL Server uses a least-recently-used (LRU) mechanism with modifications like clock sweep. Dirty pages are flushed asynchronously by checkpoint processes.
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