From owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG  Tue Jan 25 05:22:27 2005
Return-Path: <owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG>
Delivered-To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org
Received: from mx1.FreeBSD.org (mx1.freebsd.org [216.136.204.125])
	by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 5321A16A4CF
	for <freebsd-questions@freebsd.org>;
	Tue, 25 Jan 2005 05:22:27 +0000 (GMT)
Received: from mx-relay.gwtc.net (mx-relay.gwtc.net [64.251.160.5])
	by mx1.FreeBSD.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id D829943D54
	for <freebsd-questions@freebsd.org>;
	Tue, 25 Jan 2005 05:22:26 +0000 (GMT)
	(envelope-from Justin@rapidcity.net)
Received: from killer (dsl1-208-34-11-112.sky.gwtc.net [208.34.11.112] (may be
	forged))
	by mx-relay.gwtc.net (8.12.9/8.12.9) with SMTP id j0P5MJaV053428;
	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 22:22:19 -0700 (MST)
	(envelope-from Justin@rapidcity.net)
Message-ID: <054801c5029d$e81e2d60$152ea8c0@killer>
From: "Justin England" <Justin@rapidcity.net>
To: "Jonathan Franks" <daemon@taconic.net>,
	"Michael C. Shultz" <reso3w83@verizon.net>
References:
	<200501202338.j0KNc3tM007836@mail-core.space2u.com><200501201559.23150.reso3w83@verizon.net>
	<20050124214909.65599df2.daemon@taconic.net>
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 22:22:46 -0700
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
	format=flowed;
	charset="iso-8859-1";
	reply-type=original
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
X-Priority: 3
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.2180
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.2180
cc: jd@dagerot.com
cc: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org
Subject: Re: "Too many open files" (Critical, have only one session left)
X-BeenThere: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1
Precedence: list
List-Id: User questions <freebsd-questions.freebsd.org>
List-Unsubscribe: <http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions>,
	<mailto:freebsd-questions-request@freebsd.org?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://lists.freebsd.org/pipermail/freebsd-questions>
List-Post: <mailto:freebsd-questions@freebsd.org>
List-Help: <mailto:freebsd-questions-request@freebsd.org?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions>,
	<mailto:freebsd-questions-request@freebsd.org?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 05:22:27 -0000

>> > >> I have got it before and took appropriate steps using the ideas
>> > >> and tips from you guys. Now I have it again:
>> > >>
>> > >> Current situation on my head-less system is that I do have a
>> > >> single SSH session up. Unfortunately it's not authenticated as
>> > >> ROOT but as an ordinary user.
>> > >>
>> > >> When I try a "ls" I get :
>> > >>
>> > >> $ ls
>> > >> ls: .: Too many open files in system
>> > >>
>> > >> Trying a su gives:
>> > >> $ su
>> > >> /usr/libexec/ld-elf.so.1: Cannot open "/usr/lib/libutil.so.3"
>> > >>

I would like to add that depending on what the server is doing can determine 
the best way to attack your problem.  I have had web servers go crazy at 
some point (my server has been /.'d (slashdot.com) once or twice) and 
pulling the network cable will allow my apache processes to time out and 
start dying off.  After a few minutes, I can su and do a reboot (or 
whatever.) It doesn't quite "fix" the initial problem, but does allow me to 
enough CPU / resources to start the shutdown process.

Just my $.02 from experience.

Justin