SWAP File

TJ60515 · 07-30-2003, 02:11 PM

I've installed Red Hat 9 on a 400MHz Celeron with 300+MB RAM and it seems slower than having Win2000 on this machine. How can I determine the size of the swap file? How can I change it and would I see improved performance? Thanks.

youngstorm · 07-30-2003, 02:17 PM

To check memery usage type 'free'. However, there are other ways to speed up your Linux box. Are you new to Linux/Unix?

TJ60515 · 07-30-2003, 03:49 PM

I am fairly new to Linux. It's been awhile since I've played with it, so I've already forgotten some of what I've learned about it.

aaa · 07-30-2003, 03:57 PM

Take a look in /etc/fstab
It should have a line for your swap specifying where it is. Then you just check how big it is. If you want to make it bigger or smaller, replace it with any file that's the right size. You should probably turn it off with swapoff when you do this. Using a swap partition is a bit faster (assuming you aren't using one).
Your Red Hat maybe slow because of some extra options being enabled (ie programs you don't need being run, extra features, etc.).

youngstorm · 07-30-2003, 04:37 PM

Is this computer to be a server or workstation?
What was the results of 'free'?
As 'root' type 'setup' at the prompt. Go to 'system services'.
Uncheck all unneeded deamons. For example: sendmail, ftp, http, .etc.
Press F1 to see what each one does.