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Date: Tue, 2 Dec 1997 17:14:06 -0800 (PST)
From: Matt Dillon <dillon@best.net>
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To: FreeBSD-gnats-submit@FreeBSD.ORG
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Subject: kern/5197: Idle-swapout / swapper ineffective
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>Number:         5197
>Category:       kern
>Synopsis:       The swapper is ineffective
>Confidential:   no
>Severity:       non-critical
>Priority:       low
>Responsible:    freebsd-bugs
>State:          open
>Class:          sw-bug
>Submitter-Id:   current-users
>Arrival-Date:   Tue Dec  2 17:20:00 PST 1997
>Last-Modified:
>Originator:     Matt Dillon
>Organization:
Best Internet Communications
>Release:        FreeBSD 2.2.5-STABLE i386
>Environment:

	FreeBSD 2.2.5

>Description:

	The swapper (verses the pager) is somewhat ineffective, activating
	only during a severe memory shortfall.    The only current way to 
	tune swap operation is via vm.v_free_target, but setting it high 
	enough to cause swapping tends to result in too much swapping.  i.e.
	the parameter is too sensitive when it comes to the swapping
	code (verses the paging code).

>How-To-Repeat:

	n/a

>Fix:
	
	It would be useful to have the vm_pageout code swap out processes
	idle over N seconds, where N is programmable via a sysctl.  In fact,
	if this were in place I would almost consider removing the 
	'severe memory shortfall activates swapper' code.

>Audit-Trail:
>Unformatted: