Memory and cpu questions regarding linux

[Dave Truchan]

Hi, I'm investigating the possibility of running an application on linux.

The servers that I would be getting would be running either redhat 7.3 or redhat advance server 2.1.

The servers would come with 12GB memory and I would be running multiple databases on the servers.

Question, will I run into 2GB 32bit memory addressing problems with linux? I know for hpux your limited to 1.75GB of shared memory but can get by this limitation by implementing memory windows. Is there something similar available for linux or will
I be just wasting memory.

What about cpus? Is there a max number that is recommended? I've heard 4 but I'm wondering how linux would run on an 8way.

Also, do you know of any critical kernel differences between 7.3 and advance server.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

[Kodjo Agbenu · Accepted solution]

Hi Dave,

Linux with latest 2.4 kernel series (unlike 2.2) is capable of managing SMP machines up to 16 processors and large amounts of memory up to 64 GB.

However, there seems to be the same 1.8 GB shared memory segment size limitation. To overcome this, I would suggest you go with RedHat Advanced Server 2.1 instead of RedHat 7.3.

Read this excellent paper from Oracle Technet :

http://otn.oracle.com/tech/linux/pdf/1_linuxVM_v2_accepted.pdf

Good luck.

Kodjo

[Dave Truchan]

Kodjo,

Thanks for that link, that's exactly what I was looking for.

Dave