The Linux kernel's inability to gracefully handle low memory pressure (lkml.org)

Article summary

The Linux kernel struggles to handle low memory pressure, leading to performance issues and potential system crashes. This problem can cause significant delays and freezes, even with swap enabled. The issue is not unique to Linux, but it is particularly pronounced in this operating system. A solution to this problem is needed to improve the reliability and performance of Linux systems.

Main themes

• Linux kernel performance
• memory management
• operating system reliability
• swap and overcommit
• system crashes

What commenters say

• Linux's inability to handle low memory pressure is a significant issue that needs to be addressed to improve system reliability.
• Disabling overcommit can help prevent memory overallocation, but it may not be a practical solution for all use cases.
• Some operating systems, like Windows, never overcommit memory, which can lead to wasted resources but also prevent system crashes.
• The Linux kernel's behavior under low memory pressure is not a bug, but rather a design choice that prioritizes performance over reliability.
• Implementing a mechanism to signal applications to free up memory before the system runs out could help mitigate the issue.
• Overallocating memory is not a significant concern for building reliable systems, as other factors like data replication and redundancy are more important.
• The current behavior of the Linux kernel under low memory pressure can lead to data corruption or loss, making it unsuitable for critical infrastructure.