From owner-freebsd-stable Thu Jan 17 18:38: 3 2002 Delivered-To: freebsd-stable@freebsd.org Received: from vms3.rit.edu (vms3.isc.rit.edu [129.21.3.10]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 5DDB237B404 for ; Thu, 17 Jan 2002 18:37:57 -0800 (PST) Received: from sonic.rit.edu ([129.21.10.135]) by ritvax.isc.rit.edu (PMDF V5.2-32 #40294) with ESMTPA id <01KD6XW3QWLYDGJU57@ritvax.isc.rit.edu> for freebsd-stable@freebsd.org; Thu, 17 Jan 2002 21:37:50 EST Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 21:37:36 -0500 From: Matt Penna Subject: FreeBSD Memory Requirements Legacy and Present X-Sender: mdp1261@vmspop.isc.rit.edu To: freebsd-stable@freebsd.org Message-id: <5.1.0.14.2.20020117210634.01d8eec0@vmspop.isc.rit.edu> MIME-version: 1.0 X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 5.1 Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=us-ascii Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Sender: owner-freebsd-stable@FreeBSD.ORG Precedence: bulk List-ID: List-Archive: (Web Archive) List-Help: (List Instructions) List-Subscribe: List-Unsubscribe: X-Loop: FreeBSD.ORG Dear folks, I noticed some time ago that the memory requirements in the FreeBSD FAQ, as well as in the files detailing hardware requirements, are no longer accurate. I am working on a PR in hopes of getting this fixed for the benefit of new users, but haven't had much luck in finding the information I need. My apologies if this is a bit off-topic for -stable, but I didn't have much luck on -doc or -questions. I was encouraged to try posting here by more than one person on those lists. Basically, what I'm trying to do is determine the exact minimum memory requirements for FreeBSD's various releases. I'm most interested in what's required to run the installer all the way through in each case, but I am also interested in the amount required to run a usable system. The "5MB for install and 4MB to run" documented in various places is no longer correct, and it seems references to greater amounts such as 12MB and 8MB are based on hearsay or are located in documents that are not trustworthy. Is there anyone here who can tell me when the memory requirements changed, and to exactly what amounts? Is there a reliable way I can determine these numbers on my own? (I use the word "reliable" because, in ignorance, I attempted to run through the installer for 4.3-Release on a system with only 8MB and succeeded without any difficulty whatsoever, though that was apparently impossible. :) Any information would be greatly appreciated. Polite suggestions of other people to bother with this are welcome, as well. :) Please CC me on any replies, as I am not subscribed to -stable. Thanks! Matt -- Matt Penna mdp1261@rit.edu ICQ: 399825 S0ba on AOLIM "The trouble with computers, of course, is that they're very sophisticated idiots." -Dr. Who To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-stable" in the body of the message