Does Ubuntu support dynamic swap file sizing?
up vote
11
down vote
favorite
I can't imagine why a swap file needs to be fixed size. Why not let it resize dynamically, like the hard drive image file for a virtual box?
swap 17.04
asked Apr 17 '17 at 5:25
Tom Mercer
6111624
add a comment |
up vote
11
down vote
favorite
I can't imagine why a swap file needs to be fixed size. Why not let it resize dynamically, like the hard drive image file for a virtual box?
swap 17.04
asked Apr 17 '17 at 5:25
Tom Mercer
6111624
Linux doesn't support dynamic swap space sizes unless you count the option to add and remove entire swap spaces at run time. (Neither does Windows btw., not even the latter.)
– David Foerster
Apr 18 '17 at 11:28
Does Mac support dynamic swap?
– Tom Mercer
Apr 19 '17 at 3:39
I have no idea. It's an entirely different kernel which I didn't study. Chances are it's similar to swap space in Linux. Anyway, could you please open a new question Unix & Linux or Ask Different if you have a new or follow-up question about the Darwin kernel of OS X? The comment section is not suitable or meant for new questions or extended discussion. :-) Thanks.
– David Foerster
Apr 19 '17 at 8:44
add a comment |
up vote
11
down vote
favorite
up vote
11
down vote
favorite
I can't imagine why a swap file needs to be fixed size. Why not let it resize dynamically, like the hard drive image file for a virtual box?
swap 17.04
asked Apr 17 '17 at 5:25
Tom Mercer
6111624
I can't imagine why a swap file needs to be fixed size. Why not let it resize dynamically, like the hard drive image file for a virtual box?
swap 17.04
swap 17.04
asked Apr 17 '17 at 5:25
Tom Mercer
6111624
asked Apr 17 '17 at 5:25
Tom Mercer
6111624
asked Apr 17 '17 at 5:25
Tom Mercer
6111624
asked Apr 17 '17 at 5:25
Tom Mercer
6111624
asked Apr 17 '17 at 5:25
Tom Mercer
6111624
6111624
Linux doesn't support dynamic swap space sizes unless you count the option to add and remove entire swap spaces at run time. (Neither does Windows btw., not even the latter.)
– David Foerster
Apr 18 '17 at 11:28
Does Mac support dynamic swap?
– Tom Mercer
Apr 19 '17 at 3:39
I have no idea. It's an entirely different kernel which I didn't study. Chances are it's similar to swap space in Linux. Anyway, could you please open a new question Unix & Linux or Ask Different if you have a new or follow-up question about the Darwin kernel of OS X? The comment section is not suitable or meant for new questions or extended discussion. :-) Thanks.
– David Foerster
Apr 19 '17 at 8:44
add a comment |
Linux doesn't support dynamic swap space sizes unless you count the option to add and remove entire swap spaces at run time. (Neither does Windows btw., not even the latter.)
– David Foerster
Apr 18 '17 at 11:28
Does Mac support dynamic swap?
– Tom Mercer
Apr 19 '17 at 3:39
I have no idea. It's an entirely different kernel which I didn't study. Chances are it's similar to swap space in Linux. Anyway, could you please open a new question Unix & Linux or Ask Different if you have a new or follow-up question about the Darwin kernel of OS X? The comment section is not suitable or meant for new questions or extended discussion. :-) Thanks.
– David Foerster
Apr 19 '17 at 8:44
Linux doesn't support dynamic swap space sizes unless you count the option to add and remove entire swap spaces at run time. (Neither does Windows btw., not even the latter.)
– David Foerster
Apr 18 '17 at 11:28
Linux doesn't support dynamic swap space sizes unless you count the option to add and remove entire swap spaces at run time. (Neither does Windows btw., not even the latter.)
– David Foerster
Apr 18 '17 at 11:28
Does Mac support dynamic swap?
– Tom Mercer
Apr 19 '17 at 3:39
Does Mac support dynamic swap?
– Tom Mercer
Apr 19 '17 at 3:39
I have no idea. It's an entirely different kernel which I didn't study. Chances are it's similar to swap space in Linux. Anyway, could you please open a new question Unix & Linux or Ask Different if you have a new or follow-up question about the Darwin kernel of OS X? The comment section is not suitable or meant for new questions or extended discussion. :-) Thanks.
– David Foerster
Apr 19 '17 at 8:44
I have no idea. It's an entirely different kernel which I didn't study. Chances are it's similar to swap space in Linux. Anyway, could you please open a new question Unix & Linux or Ask Different if you have a new or follow-up question about the Darwin kernel of OS X? The comment section is not suitable or meant for new questions or extended discussion. :-) Thanks.
– David Foerster
Apr 19 '17 at 8:44
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
10
down vote
It doesn't look like Linux supports dynamic swap file sizing (at any rate, I couldn't get it to detect that a swap file had changed size without a swapoff/swapon).
Presumably it is easier to assume that a swap file doesn't change file size dynamically when writing code for supporting it. I don't see any great use for it either. Since you can use multiple swap files, nothing's preventing you from creating more swap files as needed.
Also note this paragraph from the swapon manpage:
The swap file implementation in the kernel expects to be able to write
to the file directly, without the assistance of the filesystem. This
is a problem on preallocated files (e.g. fallocate(1)) on filesystems
like XFS or ext4, and on copy-on-write filesystems like btrfs.
I'd think the same problem would apply to a dynamically-sized swap file.
answered Apr 17 '17 at 5:45
muru
135k19286485
Looks like this is true, and swapspace doesn't even dynamically resize swap.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:11
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
SwapSpace is a utility that will allow you to make dynamically sized swap if that is what you are looking for. I do believe it is available in Ubuntu.
edited Apr 17 '17 at 9:18
muru
135k19286485
answered Apr 17 '17 at 9:11
user231695
392
While it had a new release 2 years ago, the versions packaged for Ubuntu all seem to be ancient. How well does it work?
– muru
Apr 17 '17 at 9:18
I cannot imagine that the method used to write the swap file has changed but I could not say for sure. Works fine on debian.
– user231695
Apr 17 '17 at 9:21
I still vote your answer up as it is just as simple to create new space.
– user231695
Apr 17 '17 at 9:26
I will give this a try, and report back.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:12
@user231695 while it's simple to create a new swap space, it's horrendously inconvenient, and possibly completely unworkable as a solution. The only time a user wants to add a new swap space is the very moment when existing swap is full. Hence my question for dynamic sizing of swap file.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:13
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
Swap space can be added to a running system by using the swapon command. It needs an existing (unused) swapfile/partition. To create one, use the dd command to allocate a contiguous file, and then mkswap to add the correct control information to the file / partition.
To remove a swapfile, use swapoff; the file can then be deleted.
I suspect that is what SwapSpace dæmon that @user231695 mentioned does.
Note that swapoff can be a slow operation if the swapfile is in use; all the data has to be transferred to another swap area.
answered Apr 17 '17 at 13:16
CSM
1912
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I know it is late, but I think the best solution for dynamic swap is to:
sudo apt install dphys-swapfile
sudo update-rc.d dphys-swapfile enable
then setting CONF_SWAPFACTOR=2 in /etc/dphys-swapfile and finally
sudo service dphys-swapfile start
answered Nov 26 at 10:30
Denis Pitzalis
1033
It doesn't appear to dynamically resize swap. Looks like a script to initialize a swapfile of certain size that defaults to 2x RAM capacity.
– Tom Mercer
Nov 30 at 19:09
Hi @TomMercer setting swapfactor and maxswap, according to comments in the file: "# set size to computed value, this times RAM size, dynamically adapts, guarantees that there is enough swap without wasting disk space on excess" . "dynamically adapts" seems what you are looking for. Best
– Denis Pitzalis
Dec 2 at 18:54
Does it make my swapfile vary in size between, say, 1KB and 16GB, while I'm using the OS and filling up RAM? That's what "dynamically resizing" swap means. Creating a swapfile that's a multiple of RAM size is not dynamic. There's no point in having a swapfile at all until RAM is full, and then you want the swapfile to be exactly the size of VRAM you're using. If you close the tabs or huge image you're working on, the swapfile should dynamically resize back down. Swapfile should always be exactly 100% full by dynamically resizing itself.
– Tom Mercer
Dec 3 at 19:14
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
10
down vote
It doesn't look like Linux supports dynamic swap file sizing (at any rate, I couldn't get it to detect that a swap file had changed size without a swapoff/swapon).
Presumably it is easier to assume that a swap file doesn't change file size dynamically when writing code for supporting it. I don't see any great use for it either. Since you can use multiple swap files, nothing's preventing you from creating more swap files as needed.
Also note this paragraph from the swapon manpage:
The swap file implementation in the kernel expects to be able to write
to the file directly, without the assistance of the filesystem. This
is a problem on preallocated files (e.g. fallocate(1)) on filesystems
like XFS or ext4, and on copy-on-write filesystems like btrfs.
I'd think the same problem would apply to a dynamically-sized swap file.
answered Apr 17 '17 at 5:45
muru
135k19286485
Looks like this is true, and swapspace doesn't even dynamically resize swap.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:11
add a comment |
up vote
10
down vote
It doesn't look like Linux supports dynamic swap file sizing (at any rate, I couldn't get it to detect that a swap file had changed size without a swapoff/swapon).
Presumably it is easier to assume that a swap file doesn't change file size dynamically when writing code for supporting it. I don't see any great use for it either. Since you can use multiple swap files, nothing's preventing you from creating more swap files as needed.
Also note this paragraph from the swapon manpage:
The swap file implementation in the kernel expects to be able to write
to the file directly, without the assistance of the filesystem. This
is a problem on preallocated files (e.g. fallocate(1)) on filesystems
like XFS or ext4, and on copy-on-write filesystems like btrfs.
I'd think the same problem would apply to a dynamically-sized swap file.
answered Apr 17 '17 at 5:45
muru
135k19286485
Looks like this is true, and swapspace doesn't even dynamically resize swap.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:11
add a comment |
up vote
10
down vote
up vote
10
down vote
It doesn't look like Linux supports dynamic swap file sizing (at any rate, I couldn't get it to detect that a swap file had changed size without a swapoff/swapon).
Presumably it is easier to assume that a swap file doesn't change file size dynamically when writing code for supporting it. I don't see any great use for it either. Since you can use multiple swap files, nothing's preventing you from creating more swap files as needed.
Also note this paragraph from the swapon manpage:
The swap file implementation in the kernel expects to be able to write
to the file directly, without the assistance of the filesystem. This
is a problem on preallocated files (e.g. fallocate(1)) on filesystems
like XFS or ext4, and on copy-on-write filesystems like btrfs.
I'd think the same problem would apply to a dynamically-sized swap file.
answered Apr 17 '17 at 5:45
muru
135k19286485
It doesn't look like Linux supports dynamic swap file sizing (at any rate, I couldn't get it to detect that a swap file had changed size without a swapoff/swapon).
Presumably it is easier to assume that a swap file doesn't change file size dynamically when writing code for supporting it. I don't see any great use for it either. Since you can use multiple swap files, nothing's preventing you from creating more swap files as needed.
Also note this paragraph from the swapon manpage:
The swap file implementation in the kernel expects to be able to write
to the file directly, without the assistance of the filesystem. This
is a problem on preallocated files (e.g. fallocate(1)) on filesystems
like XFS or ext4, and on copy-on-write filesystems like btrfs.
I'd think the same problem would apply to a dynamically-sized swap file.
answered Apr 17 '17 at 5:45
muru
135k19286485
answered Apr 17 '17 at 5:45
muru
135k19286485
answered Apr 17 '17 at 5:45
muru
135k19286485
answered Apr 17 '17 at 5:45
muru
135k19286485
135k19286485
Looks like this is true, and swapspace doesn't even dynamically resize swap.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:11
add a comment |
Looks like this is true, and swapspace doesn't even dynamically resize swap.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:11
Looks like this is true, and swapspace doesn't even dynamically resize swap.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:11
Looks like this is true, and swapspace doesn't even dynamically resize swap.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:11
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
SwapSpace is a utility that will allow you to make dynamically sized swap if that is what you are looking for. I do believe it is available in Ubuntu.
edited Apr 17 '17 at 9:18
muru
135k19286485
answered Apr 17 '17 at 9:11
user231695
392
While it had a new release 2 years ago, the versions packaged for Ubuntu all seem to be ancient. How well does it work?
– muru
Apr 17 '17 at 9:18
I cannot imagine that the method used to write the swap file has changed but I could not say for sure. Works fine on debian.
– user231695
Apr 17 '17 at 9:21
I still vote your answer up as it is just as simple to create new space.
– user231695
Apr 17 '17 at 9:26
I will give this a try, and report back.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:12
@user231695 while it's simple to create a new swap space, it's horrendously inconvenient, and possibly completely unworkable as a solution. The only time a user wants to add a new swap space is the very moment when existing swap is full. Hence my question for dynamic sizing of swap file.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:13
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
3
down vote
SwapSpace is a utility that will allow you to make dynamically sized swap if that is what you are looking for. I do believe it is available in Ubuntu.
edited Apr 17 '17 at 9:18
muru
135k19286485
answered Apr 17 '17 at 9:11
user231695
392
While it had a new release 2 years ago, the versions packaged for Ubuntu all seem to be ancient. How well does it work?
– muru
Apr 17 '17 at 9:18
I cannot imagine that the method used to write the swap file has changed but I could not say for sure. Works fine on debian.
– user231695
Apr 17 '17 at 9:21
I still vote your answer up as it is just as simple to create new space.
– user231695
Apr 17 '17 at 9:26
I will give this a try, and report back.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:12
@user231695 while it's simple to create a new swap space, it's horrendously inconvenient, and possibly completely unworkable as a solution. The only time a user wants to add a new swap space is the very moment when existing swap is full. Hence my question for dynamic sizing of swap file.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:13
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
SwapSpace is a utility that will allow you to make dynamically sized swap if that is what you are looking for. I do believe it is available in Ubuntu.
edited Apr 17 '17 at 9:18
muru
135k19286485
answered Apr 17 '17 at 9:11
user231695
392
SwapSpace is a utility that will allow you to make dynamically sized swap if that is what you are looking for. I do believe it is available in Ubuntu.
edited Apr 17 '17 at 9:18
muru
135k19286485
answered Apr 17 '17 at 9:11
user231695
392
edited Apr 17 '17 at 9:18
muru
135k19286485
edited Apr 17 '17 at 9:18
muru
135k19286485
edited Apr 17 '17 at 9:18
muru
135k19286485
135k19286485
answered Apr 17 '17 at 9:11
user231695
392
answered Apr 17 '17 at 9:11
user231695
392
answered Apr 17 '17 at 9:11
user231695
392
392
While it had a new release 2 years ago, the versions packaged for Ubuntu all seem to be ancient. How well does it work?
– muru
Apr 17 '17 at 9:18
I cannot imagine that the method used to write the swap file has changed but I could not say for sure. Works fine on debian.
– user231695
Apr 17 '17 at 9:21
I still vote your answer up as it is just as simple to create new space.
– user231695
Apr 17 '17 at 9:26
I will give this a try, and report back.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:12
@user231695 while it's simple to create a new swap space, it's horrendously inconvenient, and possibly completely unworkable as a solution. The only time a user wants to add a new swap space is the very moment when existing swap is full. Hence my question for dynamic sizing of swap file.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:13
|
show 2 more comments
While it had a new release 2 years ago, the versions packaged for Ubuntu all seem to be ancient. How well does it work?
– muru
Apr 17 '17 at 9:18
I cannot imagine that the method used to write the swap file has changed but I could not say for sure. Works fine on debian.
– user231695
Apr 17 '17 at 9:21
I still vote your answer up as it is just as simple to create new space.
– user231695
Apr 17 '17 at 9:26
I will give this a try, and report back.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:12
@user231695 while it's simple to create a new swap space, it's horrendously inconvenient, and possibly completely unworkable as a solution. The only time a user wants to add a new swap space is the very moment when existing swap is full. Hence my question for dynamic sizing of swap file.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:13
While it had a new release 2 years ago, the versions packaged for Ubuntu all seem to be ancient. How well does it work?
– muru
Apr 17 '17 at 9:18
While it had a new release 2 years ago, the versions packaged for Ubuntu all seem to be ancient. How well does it work?
– muru
Apr 17 '17 at 9:18
I cannot imagine that the method used to write the swap file has changed but I could not say for sure. Works fine on debian.
– user231695
Apr 17 '17 at 9:21
I cannot imagine that the method used to write the swap file has changed but I could not say for sure. Works fine on debian.
– user231695
Apr 17 '17 at 9:21
I still vote your answer up as it is just as simple to create new space.
– user231695
Apr 17 '17 at 9:26
I still vote your answer up as it is just as simple to create new space.
– user231695
Apr 17 '17 at 9:26
I will give this a try, and report back.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:12
I will give this a try, and report back.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:12
@user231695 while it's simple to create a new swap space, it's horrendously inconvenient, and possibly completely unworkable as a solution. The only time a user wants to add a new swap space is the very moment when existing swap is full. Hence my question for dynamic sizing of swap file.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:13
@user231695 while it's simple to create a new swap space, it's horrendously inconvenient, and possibly completely unworkable as a solution. The only time a user wants to add a new swap space is the very moment when existing swap is full. Hence my question for dynamic sizing of swap file.
– Tom Mercer
Apr 17 '17 at 18:13
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
Swap space can be added to a running system by using the swapon command. It needs an existing (unused) swapfile/partition. To create one, use the dd command to allocate a contiguous file, and then mkswap to add the correct control information to the file / partition.
To remove a swapfile, use swapoff; the file can then be deleted.
I suspect that is what SwapSpace dæmon that @user231695 mentioned does.
Note that swapoff can be a slow operation if the swapfile is in use; all the data has to be transferred to another swap area.
answered Apr 17 '17 at 13:16
CSM
1912
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
Swap space can be added to a running system by using the swapon command. It needs an existing (unused) swapfile/partition. To create one, use the dd command to allocate a contiguous file, and then mkswap to add the correct control information to the file / partition.
To remove a swapfile, use swapoff; the file can then be deleted.
I suspect that is what SwapSpace dæmon that @user231695 mentioned does.
Note that swapoff can be a slow operation if the swapfile is in use; all the data has to be transferred to another swap area.
answered Apr 17 '17 at 13:16
CSM
1912
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Swap space can be added to a running system by using the swapon command. It needs an existing (unused) swapfile/partition. To create one, use the dd command to allocate a contiguous file, and then mkswap to add the correct control information to the file / partition.
To remove a swapfile, use swapoff; the file can then be deleted.
I suspect that is what SwapSpace dæmon that @user231695 mentioned does.
Note that swapoff can be a slow operation if the swapfile is in use; all the data has to be transferred to another swap area.
answered Apr 17 '17 at 13:16
CSM
1912
Swap space can be added to a running system by using the swapon command. It needs an existing (unused) swapfile/partition. To create one, use the dd command to allocate a contiguous file, and then mkswap to add the correct control information to the file / partition.
To remove a swapfile, use swapoff; the file can then be deleted.
I suspect that is what SwapSpace dæmon that @user231695 mentioned does.
Note that swapoff can be a slow operation if the swapfile is in use; all the data has to be transferred to another swap area.
answered Apr 17 '17 at 13:16
CSM
1912
answered Apr 17 '17 at 13:16
CSM
1912
answered Apr 17 '17 at 13:16
CSM
1912
answered Apr 17 '17 at 13:16
CSM
1912
1912
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I know it is late, but I think the best solution for dynamic swap is to:
sudo apt install dphys-swapfile
sudo update-rc.d dphys-swapfile enable
then setting CONF_SWAPFACTOR=2 in /etc/dphys-swapfile and finally
sudo service dphys-swapfile start
answered Nov 26 at 10:30
Denis Pitzalis
1033
It doesn't appear to dynamically resize swap. Looks like a script to initialize a swapfile of certain size that defaults to 2x RAM capacity.
– Tom Mercer
Nov 30 at 19:09
Hi @TomMercer setting swapfactor and maxswap, according to comments in the file: "# set size to computed value, this times RAM size, dynamically adapts, guarantees that there is enough swap without wasting disk space on excess" . "dynamically adapts" seems what you are looking for. Best
– Denis Pitzalis
Dec 2 at 18:54
Does it make my swapfile vary in size between, say, 1KB and 16GB, while I'm using the OS and filling up RAM? That's what "dynamically resizing" swap means. Creating a swapfile that's a multiple of RAM size is not dynamic. There's no point in having a swapfile at all until RAM is full, and then you want the swapfile to be exactly the size of VRAM you're using. If you close the tabs or huge image you're working on, the swapfile should dynamically resize back down. Swapfile should always be exactly 100% full by dynamically resizing itself.
– Tom Mercer
Dec 3 at 19:14
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I know it is late, but I think the best solution for dynamic swap is to:
sudo apt install dphys-swapfile
sudo update-rc.d dphys-swapfile enable
then setting CONF_SWAPFACTOR=2 in /etc/dphys-swapfile and finally
sudo service dphys-swapfile start
answered Nov 26 at 10:30
Denis Pitzalis
1033
It doesn't appear to dynamically resize swap. Looks like a script to initialize a swapfile of certain size that defaults to 2x RAM capacity.
– Tom Mercer
Nov 30 at 19:09
Hi @TomMercer setting swapfactor and maxswap, according to comments in the file: "# set size to computed value, this times RAM size, dynamically adapts, guarantees that there is enough swap without wasting disk space on excess" . "dynamically adapts" seems what you are looking for. Best
– Denis Pitzalis
Dec 2 at 18:54
Does it make my swapfile vary in size between, say, 1KB and 16GB, while I'm using the OS and filling up RAM? That's what "dynamically resizing" swap means. Creating a swapfile that's a multiple of RAM size is not dynamic. There's no point in having a swapfile at all until RAM is full, and then you want the swapfile to be exactly the size of VRAM you're using. If you close the tabs or huge image you're working on, the swapfile should dynamically resize back down. Swapfile should always be exactly 100% full by dynamically resizing itself.
– Tom Mercer
Dec 3 at 19:14
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
I know it is late, but I think the best solution for dynamic swap is to:
sudo apt install dphys-swapfile
sudo update-rc.d dphys-swapfile enable
then setting CONF_SWAPFACTOR=2 in /etc/dphys-swapfile and finally
sudo service dphys-swapfile start
answered Nov 26 at 10:30
Denis Pitzalis
1033
I know it is late, but I think the best solution for dynamic swap is to:
sudo apt install dphys-swapfile
sudo update-rc.d dphys-swapfile enable
then setting CONF_SWAPFACTOR=2 in /etc/dphys-swapfile and finally
sudo service dphys-swapfile start
answered Nov 26 at 10:30
Denis Pitzalis
1033
answered Nov 26 at 10:30
Denis Pitzalis
1033
answered Nov 26 at 10:30
Denis Pitzalis
1033
answered Nov 26 at 10:30
Denis Pitzalis
1033
1033
It doesn't appear to dynamically resize swap. Looks like a script to initialize a swapfile of certain size that defaults to 2x RAM capacity.
– Tom Mercer
Nov 30 at 19:09
Hi @TomMercer setting swapfactor and maxswap, according to comments in the file: "# set size to computed value, this times RAM size, dynamically adapts, guarantees that there is enough swap without wasting disk space on excess" . "dynamically adapts" seems what you are looking for. Best
– Denis Pitzalis
Dec 2 at 18:54
Does it make my swapfile vary in size between, say, 1KB and 16GB, while I'm using the OS and filling up RAM? That's what "dynamically resizing" swap means. Creating a swapfile that's a multiple of RAM size is not dynamic. There's no point in having a swapfile at all until RAM is full, and then you want the swapfile to be exactly the size of VRAM you're using. If you close the tabs or huge image you're working on, the swapfile should dynamically resize back down. Swapfile should always be exactly 100% full by dynamically resizing itself.
– Tom Mercer
Dec 3 at 19:14
add a comment |
It doesn't appear to dynamically resize swap. Looks like a script to initialize a swapfile of certain size that defaults to 2x RAM capacity.
– Tom Mercer
Nov 30 at 19:09
Hi @TomMercer setting swapfactor and maxswap, according to comments in the file: "# set size to computed value, this times RAM size, dynamically adapts, guarantees that there is enough swap without wasting disk space on excess" . "dynamically adapts" seems what you are looking for. Best
– Denis Pitzalis
Dec 2 at 18:54
Does it make my swapfile vary in size between, say, 1KB and 16GB, while I'm using the OS and filling up RAM? That's what "dynamically resizing" swap means. Creating a swapfile that's a multiple of RAM size is not dynamic. There's no point in having a swapfile at all until RAM is full, and then you want the swapfile to be exactly the size of VRAM you're using. If you close the tabs or huge image you're working on, the swapfile should dynamically resize back down. Swapfile should always be exactly 100% full by dynamically resizing itself.
– Tom Mercer
Dec 3 at 19:14
It doesn't appear to dynamically resize swap. Looks like a script to initialize a swapfile of certain size that defaults to 2x RAM capacity.
– Tom Mercer
Nov 30 at 19:09
It doesn't appear to dynamically resize swap. Looks like a script to initialize a swapfile of certain size that defaults to 2x RAM capacity.
– Tom Mercer
Nov 30 at 19:09
Hi @TomMercer setting swapfactor and maxswap, according to comments in the file: "# set size to computed value, this times RAM size, dynamically adapts, guarantees that there is enough swap without wasting disk space on excess" . "dynamically adapts" seems what you are looking for. Best
– Denis Pitzalis
Dec 2 at 18:54
Hi @TomMercer setting swapfactor and maxswap, according to comments in the file: "# set size to computed value, this times RAM size, dynamically adapts, guarantees that there is enough swap without wasting disk space on excess" . "dynamically adapts" seems what you are looking for. Best
– Denis Pitzalis
Dec 2 at 18:54
Does it make my swapfile vary in size between, say, 1KB and 16GB, while I'm using the OS and filling up RAM? That's what "dynamically resizing" swap means. Creating a swapfile that's a multiple of RAM size is not dynamic. There's no point in having a swapfile at all until RAM is full, and then you want the swapfile to be exactly the size of VRAM you're using. If you close the tabs or huge image you're working on, the swapfile should dynamically resize back down. Swapfile should always be exactly 100% full by dynamically resizing itself.
– Tom Mercer
Dec 3 at 19:14
Does it make my swapfile vary in size between, say, 1KB and 16GB, while I'm using the OS and filling up RAM? That's what "dynamically resizing" swap means. Creating a swapfile that's a multiple of RAM size is not dynamic. There's no point in having a swapfile at all until RAM is full, and then you want the swapfile to be exactly the size of VRAM you're using. If you close the tabs or huge image you're working on, the swapfile should dynamically resize back down. Swapfile should always be exactly 100% full by dynamically resizing itself.
– Tom Mercer
Dec 3 at 19:14
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to Ask Ubuntu!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Some of your past answers have not been well-received, and you're in danger of being blocked from answering.
Please pay close attention to the following guidance:
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2faskubuntu.com%2fquestions%2f905668%2fdoes-ubuntu-support-dynamic-swap-file-sizing%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Linux doesn't support dynamic swap space sizes unless you count the option to add and remove entire swap spaces at run time. (Neither does Windows btw., not even the latter.)
– David Foerster
Apr 18 '17 at 11:28
Does Mac support dynamic swap?
– Tom Mercer
Apr 19 '17 at 3:39
I have no idea. It's an entirely different kernel which I didn't study. Chances are it's similar to swap space in Linux. Anyway, could you please open a new question Unix & Linux or Ask Different if you have a new or follow-up question about the Darwin kernel of OS X? The comment section is not suitable or meant for new questions or extended discussion. :-) Thanks.
– David Foerster
Apr 19 '17 at 8:44