kswapd using all CPU power

Execute · n00b Joined: 08 Nov 2003 Posts: 14 Location: Germany

Hi,

after running some while my system here starts using all cpu power for the kswapd. The Load goes up to 281 or even higher making the system kind of slow for my users.

Sufficient memory is available and even when I disable swap (we got some just to have it...) kswapd uses all available cpu power.

The system got 64GB of ram where about 3GB are used when 30 users are online.

How can I solve this problem?
Kernel running is: 2.6.4
System is a dual IBM x445

ciao

Execute

Janne Pikkarainen · Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2004 11:56 am Post subject:

I haven't used a server having that much memory, but my internal voice suspects this has something to do with "Allocate 3rd-level pagetables from highmem" kernel option under make menuconfig's "Processor type and features" menu. Try to enable it if it's disabled and vice versa.
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Execute · n00b Joined: 08 Nov 2003 Posts: 14 Location: Germany

Hi,

I think I solved the problem. The kswapd always started to freak out when the amount of memory used for cache reched 896MB. With an upgrade to Kernel 2.6.7 the problem seems to be solved. Cached mem goes up to 2,7GB and higher when 35+ users are online and using the system. Total mem usage reaches 5-6GB

System load is now low at about 2.5 - 3.5.

When all testing is done I'll post a detailed report...

ciao

Execute