Understanding Swap Space: Correcting Common Misconceptions About Memory Management
By
jitl
Fresh out the oven, still warm. Top of the tray.
Summary
This technical article defends the use of swap space in computer systems, arguing that swap is essential for proper memory management rather than being emergency memory. The author explains that disabling swap doesn't prevent disk I/O problems during memory contention but instead shifts thrashing from anonymous pages to file pages, which may be less efficient. The piece aims to correct common misconceptions about swap functionality and advocates for its proper implementation as part of a well-functioning system.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledHaving swap is a reasonably important part of a well functioning system. Without it, sane memory management becomes harder to achieve.
Swap is not generally about getting emergency memory, it's about making memory reclamation egalitarian and efficient.
Disabling swap does not prevent disk I/O from becoming a problem under memory contention. Instead, it simply shifts the disk I/O thrashing from anonymous pages to file pages.
Using swap as 'emergency memory' is generally actively harmful.
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