topic Re: kernel bigger on some systems in Operating System - HP-UX

kernel bigger on some systems

Tim Nelson — Sat, 08 Jan 2005 20:48:40 GMT

I have a number of N4000 systems all running HPUX 11i. Two of 5 systems have kernels that are 30MB or so in size. The others are about 15MB.
Can anyone point out some reasons why the /stand/vmunix kernel image would be twice the size of the others. I have been trying to compare and have yet to find any tunable differences that could account for the 2x size.

Thanks in advance.

Re: kernel bigger on some systems

Biswajit Tripathy — Sat, 08 Jan 2005 21:03:19 GMT

Systems with larger kernels might also have more
number of kernel modules. Run kmadmin(1M)
command (see manpage for exact usage) to see
how many modules are there in each of the
systems.

- Biswajit

Re: kernel bigger on some systems

Steven E. Protter — Sat, 08 Jan 2005 22:29:58 GMT

Hardware differences and make a difference. Patching can add a lot to the kernel. If the systems are identical and have identical software and hardware, and are patched exactly the same then the kernel should be similar in side.

Other factors:
Kernel parameters
forumla's in the kernels

Add in software such as serviceguard and fiber channel software can add a lot to a kenrel.

SEP

Re: kernel bigger on some systems

Steven E. Protter — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 02:18:41 GMT

My first step would be to compare kmtune output on the two machines.

SEP
awake, doing system maintenance.

Re: kernel bigger on some systems

Zeev Schultz — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 03:12:57 GMT

software (drivers,patches) most probably.

Re: kernel bigger on some systems

A. Clay Stephenson — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 21:12:00 GMT

Momma says, "kernel is as kernel does".

Re: kernel bigger on some systems

Trond Haugen — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 03:02:25 GMT

Take a close look at the things mentioned.
My experience is that systems that are said to be configured the same seldom are.

Regards,
Trond

Re: kernel bigger on some systems

Tim Nelson — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 10:34:55 GMT

Thanks for the ideas.
Have not found any obvious items yet, at least nothing that would account for 2x the size.
Will have to rebuild a couple times with some different settings.

Thanks !!