Return-Path: Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org via listexpand id ; Mon, 16 Apr 2001 17:17:39 -0400 Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org id ; Mon, 16 Apr 2001 17:17:29 -0400 Received: from cisco7500-mainGW.gts.cz ([194.213.32.131]:772 "EHLO bug.ucw.cz") by vger.kernel.org with ESMTP id ; Mon, 16 Apr 2001 17:17:19 -0400 Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2001 15:29:29 +0000 From: Pavel Machek To: SodaPop Cc: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org Subject: Re: Oscillations in disk write compaction, poor interactive performance Message-ID: <20010416152928.B40@(none)> In-Reply-To: <200104122134.QAA24106@xirr.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii X-Mailer: Mutt 1.0.1i In-Reply-To: <200104122134.QAA24106@xirr.com>; from soda@xirr.com on Thu, Apr 12, 2001 at 04:34:32PM -0500 Sender: linux-kernel-owner@vger.kernel.org X-Mailing-List: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org Hi! > It also seems that in the 2.4 kernels, we can get into a sort of > oscillation mode, where we can have long periods of disk activity > where nothing can get done - the low points, where only 2-3 writes > per second can occur, so completely screw up the interactive > performance that you simply have to take your hands off the > keyboard and go get coffee until the disk writes complete. I know > we get better performance overall this way, but it can be > frustrating when this occurs in the middle of video capture. I see oscilation even in 2.2.X case.... Can you try running while true; do sync; sleep 1; done? It should help. If it helps, try playing with bdflush/kupdate or how is it called/ parameters. -- Philips Velo 1: 1"x4"x8", 300gram, 60, 12MB, 40bogomips, linux, mutt, details at http://atrey.karlin.mff.cuni.cz/~pavel/velo/index.html. - To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in the body of a message to majordomo@vger.kernel.org More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html Please read the FAQ at http://www.tux.org/lkml/