Our linux server locks up at random times. When I go to work on the system it doesn't allow me to reach the logon or shell prompt. I have to hit the restart button and restart the entire system before I can reach the prompts. It says in rhn that my system is up to date, I use the system for mail gateway and spam checking (Qmail and SpamAssassin). I also have a lot of errata and packages from rhn installed so it is hard to pinpoint the problem. Is there some check that I can do to see what would be locking up the system? Or is there some package that might cause it to lock up?
thanks

If it is ramdomly, it sounds like a hardware problem. Check the memory and CPU.

Can you tell me how to check the memory and CPU? What are the desired minimums for running Red Hat 8.0? Are there other checks to do to check the hardware?

Also, if I figure out that there is not enough memory, is there a good rule of thumb on how to create the memory needed?

I ment it sound to me like the memory or CPU is bag. Not that you do not have enough of either. There are programs that checks the hardware. The one we use at work is Micro-Scope by Micro 2000 Inc. I am not sure what it cost but thier phone number is 1-818-547-0125. Also if you have some extra memory and a CPU, try swapping them out.

The speed of the CPU and memory need for a Linux server varies. It all depends on what you are running and the load on the server. Others here with real life (on the job) experience with Linux would be better able to answer this question.

thanks, i'll look into that