Novell LINUX ENTERPRISE SERVER 10 - INSTALLATION AND ADMINISTRATION 11-05-2007 Installation Manual page 429

21.1.5 The ulimit Command
With the ulimit (user limits) command, it is possible to set limits for the use of system
resources and to have these displayed. ulimit is especially useful for limiting the
memory available for applications. With this, an application can be prevented from
using too much memory on its own, which could bring the system to a standstill.
ulimit can be used with various options. To limit memory usage, use the options
listed in Table 21.1, "ulimit: Setting Resources for the User"
Table 21.1 ulimit: Setting Resources for the User
-m
-v
-s
-c
-a
Systemwide entries can be made in /etc/profile. There, enable creation of core
files, needed by programmers for debugging. A normal user cannot increase the values
specified in /etc/profile by the system administrator, but can make special entries
in ~/.bashrc.
Example 21.4 ulimit: Settings in ~/.bashrc
# Limits of physical memory:
ulimit -m 98304
# Limits of virtual memory:
ulimit -v 98304
Memory amounts must be specified in KB. For more detailed information, see man
bash.
Maximum size of physical memory
Maximum size of virtual memory
Maximum size of the stack
Maximum size of the core files
Display of limits set
(page 411).
Special System Features 411