Chapter 14. Kernel Algorithms and Tuning

This chapter explains some of the inner workings of the kernel. This chapter also describes buffer sizes and variables that can be changed by a system administrator when tuning a kernel. “Tunables Quick Reference” on page 557 contains a quick summary of what can safely be changed.

The kernel algorithms are noted as being based on System V Release 4 (SVR4) if they are generic and as Solaris 2-based if Solaris 2 is different from generic SVR4. Later releases of SunOS 4 have Solaris 1 names, which I have avoided for clarity (although this is not considered the correct use of the terms). The kernel part of Solaris 2 is known as SunOS 5.

There are no “magic silver bullet” tunable values that will make a big ...

Get Sun Performance and Tuning: Java™ and the Internet, Second Edition now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.