[techtalk] linux memory usage

[Jeff Dike]

eleight at intrinsity.com said:
> 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.

So, do you start swapping when there is a ton of memory in buffer/cache?

If so, that's a bug.  I would try a newer kernel.  2.0.36 is pretty old, and 
there's been a lot of work done on the vm system since then.

				Jeff