Re: [patch] memory reclaim more efficiently

[Takenori Nagano <t-nagano@ah.jp.nec.com>]

KOSAKI Motohiro wrote:
> > Hi nagano-san,
> >
>> >> In shrink_zone(), system can not return to user mode before it finishes to
>> >> search LRU list. IMHO, it is very wasteful, since the user processes stay
>> >> unnecessarily long time in shrink_zone() loop and application response time
>> >> becomes relatively bad. This patch changes shrink_zone() that it finishes
memory
>> >> reclaim when it reclaims enough memory.
>> >>
>> >> the conditions to end searching:
>> >>
>> >> 1. order of request page is 0
>> >> 2. process is not kswapd.
>> >> 3. satisfy the condition to return try_to_free_pages()
>> >>    # nr_reclaim > SWAP_CLUSTER_MAX

Hi Kosaki-san,

> > I have 3 question.
> >
> > 1. Do you have any performance number?

I tested some, but I don't collect data.  :-(
I will test again and post results.

> > 2. I think this patch advocate many try_to_free_pages() called is better than
> >    one try_to_free_page waste long time. right?
> >    and, why do you think so?

I think user process is stopped long time on memory reclaim is not good.
It is enough for user process to reclaim memory is needed. We have kswapd memory
reclaim daemon. I think memory reclaim is kswapd's job.

> > 3. if this patch improve perfomance, I guess DEF_PRIORITY is
> >    too small on your machine.
> >    if DEF_PRIORITY is proportional to system memory, do your problem are solved?

Your idea is so nice.  :-)
IMHO, it is not perfect if reclaimable memory is not on front.

Thanks,
  Takenori