[Linux Kernel Tool] zram Setup, Mounting, and Usage Guide
Published:
This article provides a practical guide to setting up and using zram in Linux, based on experience with a game server that needed additional memory.
Introduction
While running a Palworld game server on an 8GB RAM server, I discovered that the game quickly consumed all available memory due to memory leaks. Since the server uses mechanical hard drives with poor I/O performance but has 8 CPU cores, I decided to use zram to expand memory instead of traditional swap. This article documents the setup process.
Environment
- OS: Debian 12
- SSH Tool: FinalShell
Key Points
zram vs Traditional Swap
- zram: Uses compressed RAM as storage, faster performance, requires CPU resources for compression
- Traditional Swap: Uses disk space, slower but more reliable for long-term storage
- Best Practice: Can combine both for optimal performance
Technical Details
- zram creates compressed block devices in memory
- More efficient than disk-based swap for systems with sufficient CPU cores
- Particularly useful for memory-constrained systems
zram Fundamentals
- How zram compression works
- Comparison with traditional swap mechanisms
- Performance characteristics and trade-offs
Configuration Methods
- Module loading and initialization
- Size and compression algorithm settings
- Persistent configuration across reboots
System Integration
- SystemD service configuration
- udev rules for automatic setup
- Monitoring and troubleshooting techniques
Practical Implementation
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for system administrators to properly deploy and utilize zram, enhancing system memory efficiency through compressed in-memory swap space.