Performance Tuning for Linux® Servers

Appendix A. Tuning Kernel Parameters

By Badari Pulavarti and Narasimha Sharoff

Introduction

This appendix lists and describes many of the kernel tunable parameters available through the sysctl, /proc, and sysfs interfaces. It provides an overview of how to use the various interfaces to tune the Linux kernel and other key components of the system. Topics covered in this appendix include the following:

• An overview and description of how to use sysctl

• An overview and description of how to use /proc

• An overview and description of how to use sysfs

• A discussion of each type of tunable parameter, including the following:

  • General kernel parameters

  • Virtual memory parameters

  • File system parameters

  • Network parameters

The sysctl Interface

The sysctl interface lets you ...