Re: [patch] make sysctl_overcommit_memory enumeration sensible

From: Coywolf Qi Hunt
Date: Wed Feb 15 2006 - 20:26:19 EST


On Wed, Feb 15, 2006 at 08:01:10PM +1100, Nick Piggin wrote:
> Coywolf Qi Hunt wrote:
> >I see system admins often confused when they sysctl vm.overcommit_memory.
> >This patch makes overcommit_memory enumeration sensible.
> >
>
> What's the point? The current has been there for a long time, and
> is well documented.

Yes, the current is well documented and for a long time. But the design is
insane, no matter how well and how long it is documented. Users have to read
the document for *many times*.

The new way is logical so it would let us "read once, remember always".


Coywolf

>
> >0 - no overcommit
> >1 - always overcommit
> >2 - heuristic overcommit (default)
> >
> >I don't feel this would break any userspace scripts.
>
> You mean, except for the ones that go `echo 0 >
> /proc/sys/vm/overcommit_memory`;
> or `echo 2 > /proc/sys/vm/overcommit_memory` ?
>
> And those sysctl configuration files that get set at bootup?
>
> >If it seems OK, I'll
> >update the documents.
> >
> >Signed-off-by: Coywolf Qi Hunt <qiyong@xxxxxxxxx>
> >---
> >diff --git a/include/linux/mman.h b/include/linux/mman.h
> >index 18a5689..e50f5ad 100644
> >--- a/include/linux/mman.h
> >+++ b/include/linux/mman.h
> >@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@
> > #define MREMAP_MAYMOVE 1
> > #define MREMAP_FIXED 2
> >
> >-#define OVERCOMMIT_GUESS 0
> >+#define OVERCOMMIT_NEVER 0
> > #define OVERCOMMIT_ALWAYS 1
> >-#define OVERCOMMIT_NEVER 2
> >+#define OVERCOMMIT_GUESS 2
> > extern int sysctl_overcommit_memory;
> > extern int sysctl_overcommit_ratio;
> > extern atomic_t vm_committed_space;
> >
>
>
> --
> SUSE Labs, Novell Inc.
> Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.yahoo.com
>

--
Coywolf Qi Hunt
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