[NTLUG:Discuss] where's the memory?

[brian@pongonova.net]

On Fri, Mar 22, 2002 at 01:43:38PM -0800, bryn konti wrote:
> Turn off uneeded processes and stop them from auto
> starting.  If none of your processes are memory hogs
> from what the ps or top  commands can tell you, then
> the main memory hog is  probably the kernel. 

Doubtful.  Even the most bloated kernel will not take up more than a meg or so of
memory.  

> As a last
> resort you could recompile the kernel and get rid of
> the things you know you'll never use and  install
> loadable kernel modules instead of drivers/functions
> compliled directly into the kernel.

On the contrary -- this is *always* a good idea.  Smaller kernels lead to faster
reboots, increased system integrity/security, and a smaller memory footprint.

I've found the best indicators of performance on the *nix boxen I live with are (1)
swap space usage and (2) load factor.  I'll trust the kernel developers to
continue to do what's right with memory management. 

  --Brian