Frequently Asked Questions on Changing Swappiness of Linux System
What is swappiness on Linux?
Swappiness controls how Linux uses swap memory vs RAM for running programs and data. Itâs a setting that can affect overall system performance.
What is the default swappiness value?
The default setting is 60. This means Linux will be aggressive about swapping less used memory pages from RAM onto disk.
Why would I want to change the swappiness value?
Lowering it from the default, say to 10, means Linux will try to avoid using swap and keep more stuff in memory. For desktops and general use, lowering it can speed things up.
How do I check my current swappiness value?
Use the command âcat /proc/sys/vm/swappinessâ to see your systemâs current swappiness setting.
How do I temporarily change the swappiness?
Use âsudo sysctl vm.swappiness=10â â but this will reset after restarting the computer.
How to Change the Swappiness of your Linux system
In this article, we will explore the crucial aspect of Linux system optimization by exploring the âswappinessâ setting. Swappiness determines the systemâs tendency to swap data between RAM and disk, influencing overall performance. This article not only explains the underlying mechanics of swappiness but also provides practical insights and examples for adjusting this parameter, both temporarily and persistently, to enhance Linux performance enabled to specific hardware configurations and workloads.