Defunct processes

[Manoj_36]

We have more than 600 defunct processes on our system. If we do not kill the defunct processes and it keeps on increasing will it cause a condition in which we can error of system can not fork processes . Or defunct processes are not considered for number of processes limit(nproc) of the system becuase defunct processes are dead processes and are just a entery in kernel processes table. Or limit of processes is only for running processes or it is total of processes running and defunct processes.

[Pete Randall · Accepted solution]

Yes, defunct processes will count toward your nproc total. Usually, the defunct processes end up as zombies (PPID=1) and the only way to get rid of them is to reboot. If the PPID is other than 1, killing the parent should get rid of the defunct process.


Pete

[Manoj_36]

I am satisfied with the answer.