Duncan wrote: > > Consider pointing PORTAGE_TMPDIR at a tmpfs. > > The idea is based on the fact that everything portage does in its tmpdir > (/var/tmp by default) is temporary, erased as soon as it's done emerging > that package. Since tmpfs uses swap backed memory, worst-case, it has to > write to swap -- that is, to disk, which is where it would otherwise be > writing ALL the temporary files. With memory access so much faster than > disk access, every file that's erased before it hits disk saves time, and > it can make a BIG difference in emerge times. >
Duncan, you talk about tmpfs and I'm suddenly interested in trying this out. My question is, how much space do you allocate for the tmpfs? I know it'll fall back to swap if I'm out of space there, but what works well for you? I have (currently) 1GB RAM on this system, but I'm getting ready to order more to get me to 4GB. -- Interdum feror cupidine partium magnarum Europae vincendarum Mark Haney Sr. Systems Administrator ERC Broadband (828) 350-2415
