Linux Memory Manager

Abstract

LMM acquires and frees memory from kernel space on behalf of the application in virtual memory pages. The system calls mmap() and munmap() were used for this purpose. Cache vm pages and use them as a reservoir for future memory requests issued by application until the future memory pages are completely exhausted. The vm side kernel when the application frees enough memory that the vm side has noy occupied or allocated for use by the application. Linux memory management subsystem is responsible, as the name implies, for managing the memory in the system. This includes implementation of virtual memory and demand paging, memory allocation both for kernel internal structures and user space programs, mapping of files into processes address space and many other cool things.