Skip to main content
USENIX
  • Conferences
  • Students
Sign in

connect with us


  •  Twitter
  •  Facebook
  •  LinkedIn
  •  Google+
  •  YouTube

twitter

Tweets by @usenix

usenix conference policies

  • Event Code of Conduct
  • Conference Network Policy
  • Statement on Environmental Responsibility Policy

You are here

Home ยป The Slab Allocator: An Object-Caching Kernel
Tweet

connect with us

The Slab Allocator: An Object-Caching Kernel

Authors: 

Jeff Bonwick, Sun Microsystems

Abstract: 

This paper presents a comprehensive design overview of the SunOS 5.4 kernel memory allocator. This allocator is based on a set of object-caching primi- tives that reduce the cost of allocating complex objects by retaining their state between uses. These same primitives prove equally effective for manag- ing stateless memory (e.g. data pages and temporary buffers) because they are space-efficient and fast. The allocator's object caches respond dynamically to global memory pressure, and employ an object-coloring scheme that improves the system's overall cache utilization and bus balance. The allocator also has several statistical and debugging features that can detect a wide range of problems throughout the system.

Jeff Bonwick, Sun Microsystems

BibTeX
@inproceedings {252795,
author = {Jeff Bonwick},
title = {The Slab Allocator: An Object-Caching Kernel},
booktitle = {{USENIX} Summer 1994 Technical Conference ({USENIX} Summer 1994 Technical Conference)},
year = {1994},
address = {Boston, MA},
url = {https://www.usenix.org/conference/usenix-summer-1994-technical-conference/slab-allocator-object-caching-kernel},
publisher = {{USENIX} Association},
month = jun,
}
Download

Links

Paper: 
http://usenix.org/publications/library/proceedings/bos94/full_papers/bonwick.ps
  • Log in or    Register to post comments

© USENIX

  • Privacy Policy
  • Conference Policies
  • Contact Us