Re: Kernel Size....

From: Paul E. Rockwell <rockwell_at_rch.dec.com>
Date: Fri, 05 May 95 09:49:21 -0400

On Fri, 5 May 1995 16:55:52 +0800 cuma_at_csie.ncu.edu.tw wrote:

> I had edited kernel file to add maxuser to 96 (org is 32)
>
> but finally vmunix is
> -rwxr-xr-x 3 root bin 9067728 May 5 16:39 vmunix
>
> very very big , why OSF/1's kernel alway very big?
> (original kernel is also 6xxxxxx ...)
>
> Is big kernel normal ? and can I reduce its size?
>

Many system internal tables are sized based upon maxusers. You just
tripled the defaults, so some expansion is to be expected.

Perhaps you did not need to increase maxusers. You should review the
manual on system configuration and tuning to see if you're using a
sledge hammer to swat a fly.

Reducing the size of the kernel involves:

1) examining *all* system tunable parameters and correctly sizing them for
   what you want to do.

2) Eliminating devices that you do not use.

3) Eliminating options and subsystems that you do not use out of your
   kernel
   For example, delete the
     options LAT
   line in your system configuration file if you don't use LAT to hook up
   terminals and printers.

Digital is working on ways to reduce the kernel size, but that work won't
be seen until a not-too-distant future release of Digital UNIX.

Also, don't be fooled by the on-disk size of the kernel, it contains
symbol table information (i.e. is not stripped).

A better way to get the real size of the kernel is to use the size command,
it will tell you how big each section of the kernel *really* is when it'll
be loaded at boot time.

You might want to compare the sizes before you increased maxusers to what
the size after.

- Paul
--------
+---------------------------+tm Paul E. Rockwell
| | | | | | | | UNIX Sales Support Consultant
| d | i | g | i | t | a | l | Digital Equipment Corporation
| | | | | | | | 500 Enterprise Drive
+---------------------------+ Rocky Hill, CT 06067

Internet: rockwell_at_rch.dec.com Phone: (203)258-5022
Received on Fri May 05 1995 - 09:51:53 NZST

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