Memory problem

[Derek Ragona]

At 08:39 AM 11/7/2007, Mario Lobo wrote:
>Hello;
>
>I'm running a qmailrocks install + DNS server here. Hosting 14 domains and
>their respective e-mail accounts. Everything seems to be working fine.
>
>The machine is:
>
>------------------------------------------
>FreeBSD 6.2-STABLE #0: Mon Sep 10 14:15:16 BRT 2007
>CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU  6700  @ 2.66GHz (2669.94-MHz K8-class CPU)
>   Origin = "GenuineIntel"  Id = 0x6f6  Stepping = 6
>   Cores per package: 2
>real memory  = 3488481280 (3326 MB)
>avail memory = 3362598912 (3206 MB)
>FreeBSD/SMP: Multiprocessor System Detected: 2 CPUs
>  cpu0 (BSP): APIC ID:  0
>  cpu1 (AP): APIC ID:  1
>------------------------------------------
>
>When I turn the machine on/restart it, it starts off with around 2800 Mb free
>memory. I know that, in its course of work, a few of those processes do not
>properly return memory back to the system. The machine was last restarted
>exactly a week ago (last wednesday). Now 'top' shows me this:
>
>------------------------------------------
>last pid: 17204;  load averages:  0.00,  0.04,  0.06   up 5+21:00:50  11:18:58
>135 processes: 1 running, 132 sleeping, 2 zombie
>CPU states:  0.6% user,  0.0% nice,  0.4% system,  0.2% interrupt, 98.9% idle
>Mem: 379M Active, 1915M Inact, 256M Wired, 119M Cache, 214M Buf, 415M Free
>Swap: 5120M Total, 5120M Free
>------------------------------------------
>
>Here are my questions:
>
>Is this a "normal thing" to happen with memory in just one week?
>Does the  '1915M Inact'  means "zombie memory" (non-returned)?
>Is there a manual garbage collector i could run?
>What is your advise on what method I could use to precisely track down what
>program(s) is(are) causing this?
>
>I am attaching a png graphic of this.
>
>Thanks,

I have seen memory "eaten up" by running anti-virus and mail scanning 
software particularly if you are not bouncing spam.  I would check your 
spam handling.

         -Derek

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