Description of problem: $Summary as a result of memsize trying to malloc >3GB on 32-bit kernels Steps to Reproduce: 1.find a 32-bit kernel with >~3GB of RAM 2.run memsize 3000 Actual results: <snip> $lmbench_dir/memsize $mem ++ /usr/lib/lmbench/bin/i686-pc-linux-gnu/memsize 3287 malloc: Cannot allocate memory </snip> the side effect causes this series of events; which nets us testing 500MB on a 4GB+ box: <snip> + '[' -z '' ']' + echo 'WARNING: memsize failed! Using 80% of reported free RAM' WARNING: memsize failed! Using 80% of reported free RAM awk '/^MemFree:/ {print $2}' /proc/meminfo ++ awk '/^MemFree:/ {print $2}' /proc/meminfo + local freemem=1441 + avail=1152 + echo '1152MB available' 1152MB available + local MB=576 </snip> Expected results: Full testing of available ram; it would of been nice if memsize would fork to properly flush the buffers cache's etc.; however the alternative is to make MEMORY2 smarter and have it allocate no larger than 2.8 or so GB per process and flush RAM out that way; at least on 32-bit kernels; another possibility might be to add free + buffers + cache; minus some gap amount and try to test that; if we can't flush the buffers and cache's at least mostly then something went wrong I would guess.
A patch is in CVS that makes MEMORY2 use multiple test processes on x86 machines with large amounts of RAM.
An advisory has been issued which should help the problem described in this bug report. This report is therefore being closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For more information on the solution and/or where to find the updated files, please follow the link below. You may reopen this bug report if the solution does not work for you. http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2006-0284.html
An advisory has been issued which should help the problem described in this bug report. This report is therefore being closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For more information on the solution and/or where to find the updated files, please follow the link below. You may reopen this bug report if the solution does not work for you. http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2006-0278.html