What Key Kernel Parameters to Watch?

[Michael Steele_2]

Hello:

If I were answering this question for HP-UX I'd start with 'dbc_min_pct' and 'dbc_max_pct' and add from there.

Note that when you list out all the kernel parameters with 'sysctl -a' there are 492 parameters. Hence, the reason for the question.

Thanks in advance.

[Steven E. Protter · Accepted solution]

Shalom,

For the record, Linux handles buffer pool itself, the equivalent of the dbc twins by itself without any user intervention. It pulls memory out of the buffer pool on demand when new processes request it.

There is no performance hit like with HP-UX 11.11

fs.file-max = 50540
fs.file-nr = 3648 0 50540


These should be self evident.


kernel.max_lock_depth = 1024
kernel.ngroups_max = 65536
kernel.pid_max = 32768
kernel.pty.max = 4096
kernel.threads-max = 16382
kernel.msgmax = 65536
kernel.shmmax = 4294967295


shmmax is the same basic function ash HP-UX.

The others can be breached on heavily used systems. As I recall you work with some big ones.

These can be monitored on the /proc area and temporarily changed with echo statements to this same area.

Not complete, but these are the ones I watch.

SEP