Stupid question about swap partitions

zahadumy · 11-12-2005, 10:46 AM

I know linux uses swap partitions like Windows uses RAM memory. Correct me if I'm wrong. The question: is it possible to have more than one distribution of linux and only one swap partition? Because it is possible to have more than one Windows and only one RAM memory

. I suppose it isn't, because everybody has a swap partition for every distro installed. Can you tell me why? Thank you.

acid_kewpie · 11-12-2005, 11:06 AM

"linux uses swap partitions like Windows uses RAM memory" erm.... absolutely not. try "linux uses swap partitions like Windows uses pagefiles". and either way the answer is yes. just tell them both to use the same one, nothign more to it than that. in actual fact you can make windows use it to, but that's a proof on concept rather than somethign actually worth doing.

michaelk · 11-12-2005, 11:07 AM

Actually, windows (>NT) uses a swap file called pagefile.sys. linux can use either a swap partition or a file. A swap partition is faster and more efficient then a file.

Yes, all linux distributions can share a single swap partition.

Even though memory management is different between windows and linux the basic function of swap is the same.

zahadumy · 11-12-2005, 11:31 AM

I'm surprised to hear this. So, if i have 2 distributions and I want them to use only one swap partition, all i have to to is edit the /etc/fstab, right? And after that I can erase one swap partition and save that space for something else? Is it that simple?

Xena · 11-12-2005, 11:49 AM

Probably even easier. When installing the second distribution you can probably tell it to use the existing swap partition.

And there are no stupid questions, so ask away

acid_kewpie · 11-12-2005, 02:00 PM

It is an urban myth that there is no such thing as a stupid question. Just like there's no such word as an't. all lies.

but yes either install the second distro and use the existing swap, or if for some bizarre reason that's not possible (it will never be impossible) you can just install without one at all and add it after

sundialsvcs · 11-14-2005, 12:35 PM

You see, both of those distros will not be running at the same time. Only one of them will be running and will have access to the swap-partition. (If this is not so, it will not work!) The file-formats used on the swap partition by the various distros are the same. So, all of them can recognize and use the space. They will all know, when they see the partition-type in the partition table, that "this partition is 'linux swap.'"