Kernel Definition

[John F Haugh II]

In article <311 at harem.clydeunix.com> wes at harem.clydeunix.com (Barnacle Wes) writes:
>But the tables still require page space, right?  V.4's dynamically-sized
>tables sound like a better idea.

Only when they are used, in which case so do SVR4's - you just see it in
a different place, namely the user process.  If the kernel is taking up
the memory the user isn't free to do so as well, so it must page.  So when
SVR4 grows a table (or whatever, I've not seen the kernel sources yet),
it deprives a user process of available physical memory which must then
be backed with paging store.  When AIX grows a table the same thing
happens - except it is the kernel table that gets backed (except when it
is paged in, and then all bets are off ;-).
-- 
John F. Haugh II        | Distribution to  | UUCP: ...!cs.utexas.edu!rpp386!jfh
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