Free memory information on opensuse w/ sysinfo:/

[reis3k]

Hi,
Is there anybody know the interpretation of free memory information when you type sysinfo:/ to konqueror.

e.g.

Total memory (RAM):  3,8 GB
  Free memory:  1,7 GB (+ 1,1 GB Caches)
  Free swap:  2,0 GB

Do I have 2.8GB free mem? If so, deoes it mean 1.1GB mem space has used with some apps but now they are closed;however they will be in the memory until some other apps write over that areas on the memory.

What is the command for console to get this info? When I write ps aux to the console it shows the percentages of memory usage of apps, instead of how much mem space they consume. Is there a way to also display it? Thanks.

[AndreasStieger]

reis3k wrote:
> Free memory: 1,7 GB (*+ 1,1 GB Caches*)
>
> If so, deoes it mean 1.1GB mem space has used

It means that 1.1 GB of your disk is cached to memory and will be served
faster. However this memory will be immediately available to
applications when needed.

> What is the command for console to get this info?

free

Kind regards,
Andreas Stieger

[baskitcaise]

reis3k adjusted his/her AFDB on Sunday 21 Jun 2009 18:16 to write:

>
> Hi,
> Is there anybody know the interpretation of free memory information
> when you type sysinfo:/ to konqueror.
>
> e.g.
> Code:
> --------------------
>
> Total memory (RAM): 3,8 GB
> Free memory: 1,7 GB (*+ 1,1 GB Caches*)
> Free swap: 2,0 GB
> --------------------
>
>
> Do I have 2.8GB free mem? If so, deoes it mean 1.1GB mem space has used
> with some apps but now they are closed;however they will be in the
> memory until some other apps write over that areas on the memory.
>
> What is the command for console to get this info? When I write *ps aux*
> to the console it shows the percentages of memory usage of apps, instead
> of how much mem space they consume. Is there a way to also display it?
> Thanks.
>
>

Unused memory is wasted memory.

linux keeps buffers and caches of previously used apps just in case they are
needed again and so greatly increases loading and access speed and reduces
disk access.

If the memory is required it is released almost instantly, the delay is far
outweighed by the slowness of disk reads/writes.

HTH

--
Mark

Nullus in verba
Nil illegitimi carborundum

[reis3k]

It means that 1.1 GB of your disk is cached to memory and will be served faster

this answers first make a little confused, because I thought that 1.1 Gb data served in my disk and having a potential to use later on is cached.

linux keeps buffers and caches of previously used apps just in case they are needed again and so greatly increases loading and access speed and reduces disk access.

Then I can conclude that for the first time boot of os, the cached size will be zero.

Thanks both of u,but I think you make some math to calculate how much size in mb a apps consumes in the memory after you execute ps -aux (percentages of usage X memory size) instead of directly see the result on the console

[baskitcaise]

reis3k adjusted his/her AFDB on Sunday 21 Jun 2009 22:06 to write:

>
>>
>> It means that 1.1 GB of your disk is cached to memory and will be
>> served faster
>
> this answers first make a little confused, because I thought that 1.1
> Gb data served in my disk and having a potential to use later on is
> cached.
>
>> linux keeps buffers and caches of previously used apps just in case they
>> are needed again and so greatly increases loading and access speed and
>> reduces disk access.
>
> Then I can conclude that for the first time boot of os, the cached size
> will be zero.
>
> Thanks both of u,but I think you make some math to calculate how much
> size in mb a apps consumes in the memory after you execute *ps -aux *
> (percentages of usage X memory size) instead of directly see the result
> on the console
>
>

If you use top ( or htop if installed ) from a commandline you will see
different results for mem, vmem and shmem now look at the difference in
those :-)

That will really bake your noodle, I will leave that one as an exercise for
your homework.

;-)


Take care, but most of all enjoy.


--
Mark
Cavet emptor
Nullus in verba
Nil illegitimi carborundum

[TaraIkeda]

Readouts like this are never that reliable, I have seen this happen many times its never accurate.
I think the only one that has given me accurate readings without commandline is the gnome system monitor.