Messages in this thread | | | From | newton@unb ... | Date | Wed, 2 Jun 1999 22:08:07 -0300 (ADT) | Subject | Kernel config idea... |
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I was wondering what people think of this idea:
Place in the makefiles for the kernel, a general configuration question that asks what 'size target' you are going to be using the kernel for... IE: Right around there area where it asks you what CPU to compile for (Pentium, PII, 386, ...), ask the following:
System role: 1) Minimum config 2) Desktop 3) Workstation 4) Workgroup Server 5) General Enterprise Server (web/file/cpu) 6) Enterprise Web Server 7) (Does it make sense to say Web server?... I mean, are there cache/buffer settings that would make a better web server as opposed to a CPU server? Maybe list some roles that are tunable, like CPU server, file server, web server, router, application)
The idea is, instead of placing some tuning infomation in the Documentation directory and leave it up to the user to figure out, make some assumptions due to his/her choice, and have all the kernel configurable settings set to intelligent choices for the role the user chose.
For instance, chosing Enterprise server, would set all the open file handles to massive numbers, set buffering and caching to high limits... well, you know where I am going with this.
I thought this might help in the time when someone wants to build a BIG box, and gets poor performance because his machine is not at all tuned for that application... and he doesnt know how to do it. The reverse is true, when someone wants to build a small foot print box. This method still leaves it open for users to self tune a machine, it would just set the kernel defaults to something resonable for their needs.
Currently, whether you have 4GB ram, and a terrabyte of disk, or a 386/16 with a 40M hard drive... you get the same cache/buffer/filesystem/memory/scheduling/maxtasks/... for both, even after compiling a new kernel.
Comments?
Chris
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Chris Newton, Technical Analyst Computing Services, University of New Brunswick newton@unb.ca 506-447-3212(voice) 506-453-3590(fax)
"Computers allow you to make more mistakes faster than any other invention in human history, with the possible exception of handguns and tequila." -- Mitch Radcliffe
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