chmem - Linux
Overview
chmem is a command used to modify the memory allocation of a running process. It allows users to increase or decrease the memory size allocated to a specific process. This command is particularly useful for managing memory consumption and optimizing performance.
Syntax
chmem [OPTIONS] PID [-m|-b|-k|-g] NEW_VALUE
Options/Flags
- -m: Specifies the new memory size in megabytes.
- -b: Specifies the new memory size in bytes.
- -k: Specifies the new memory size in kilobytes.
- -g: Specifies the new memory size in gigabytes.
Examples
Increase memory allocation by 100 MB:
chmem -m 100 1234
Decrease memory allocation by 512 bytes:
chmem -b 512 1234
Common Issues
- Insufficient permissions: You may encounter permission denied errors if you do not have root access. Run the command with sudo or as the root user.
- Invalid process ID: Ensure that the specified PID corresponds to a valid running process.
Integration
Combine with top: Monitor memory usage and modify memory allocation dynamically:
top -c | awk '/PID/{print $1}' | xargs chmem -m 200