Virtual memory compression: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 07:02, 6 January 2015

Revision as of 07:05, 6 January 2015

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==Benefits==

Virtual memory compression can provide several benefits: overall performance improvement;improvements, an increase in available virtual memory;, and improved system lifespan.

===; Performance improvements===

: By reducing the I/O activity caused by paging requests, virtual memory compression can produce overall performance improvementimprovements. The degree of performance improvement depends on a variety of factors, including, the availability of any compression co-processors, spare bandwidth on the CPU, speed of the I/O channel, speed of the primary storage, and the compressibility of the contents of primary storage.

===; Available virtual memory===

: In some situations, such as in embedded devices, auxiliary storage is limited or non-existent. In these cases, virtual memory compression can allow a virtual memory system to operate, where otherwise virtual memory would have to be disabled. This allows the system to run certain software which would otherwise be unable to operate in an environment with no virtual memory.

===; Enhanced lifespan===

: [[Flash memory]] has certain endurance limitations on the maximum number of erase cycles it can undergo, which can be as low as 100 erase cycles. In systems where Flash Memory is used as the only auxiliary storage system, implementing virtual memory compression can reduce the total quantity of data being written to auxiliary storage, improving system reliability.

==Shortcomings==