[techtalk] linux memory usage

[Elizabeth Leight]

I missed the responses to Beverly's question (2 Jun 2000, techtalk digest,
Vol 1, #87) about Linux memory usage.  We keep struggling with this in our 
organization.  I know that Linux doesn't automatically add memory back to the 
free list, but keeps stuff in buffer and cache.  It then is supposed to free 
up buffer & cache when new programs start up.  However, we have observed that 
instead, it just acts as if there is no memory available, and doesn't free up 
buffer/cache allocated memory when new programs are started.  We're using 
RedHat 5.2, kernel 2.0.36.  We haven't checked to see if behaviour is
better with RH 6.2 yet (we're in the middle of a project and doing 
system/application upgrades only as required for that project).

Elizabeth
eleight at intrinsity.com