I've got Tomcat running on a Linux machine with 2000GB of RAM.

The tomcat settings are JAVA_OPTS="-server -Xms1500M -Xmx1500M";

therefore, when i start Tomcat, I'll see free memory drop to about

500MB - which is expected. But, when tomcat is running and

especially under heavy load the free memory continues to drop

while buffer and cache rises. I understand that Linux places all

used memory into the buffer and cache and puts it back to free

memory when needed. But I'm confused as to why free memory would

be used at all since 1500MB of memory has already been allocated

to Tomcat. I mean, why isn't it pulling from it's own heap

instead of consuming Linux's free memory?

i wouldn't be to worried until you run out, it might be using the "free" memory, then will use the buffer stuff when that runs out

what is tomcat anyways?, needing 500MB is a lot for any program (well, a lot for me :0 )

I am sorry, This is not a reply but a question. Did you solve this problem of Apache using up all the memory available. If yes how did you do it. Please let me know.
Maruthy