Clear Cache in Linux

Linux, like other operating systems, uses caching to optimize system performance. Over time, these caches can accumulate, and although Linux is adept at managing memory, there are situations where manual clearance might be beneficial, such as for system diagnostics, application performance tests, or other specific operations. In this article, we’ll delve into how to clear different types of cache in Linux: memory, swap, and buffer.

Part 1: Quick Instructions

1. Clear PageCache, dentries, and inodes:

   sync && echo 3 > /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches 
   

2. Clear Swap space:

   swapoff -a && swapon -a
   

Part 2: Detailed Instructions

• PageCache optimizes file I/O by keeping frequently accessed file data in RAM.
• Dentries speed up file name lookups by caching directory entries.
• Inodes store essential metadata about files and directories, separate from the actual content or the names.

Clearing PageCache, dentries, and inodes

The Linux kernel provides a mechanism to drop the cache without rebooting the system. Here’s a breakdown of the options:

Advertisement

1. Clear PageCache:

   echo 1 > /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches
   

2. Clear dentries and inodes:

   echo 2 > /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches
   

3. Clear PageCache, dentries, and inodes:

   echo 3 > /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches
   

Note: When executing the above commands, ensure you have root privileges.

Clearing Swap Space

Swap space is used when the system RAM is full. If you need to clear out the swap:

1. Turn off swap:

   swapoff -a
   

   This command deactivates all swap files and partitions, moving swap contents back into main memory.

2. Turn on swap again:

   swapon -a
   

   This activates all swap files and partitions listed in /etc/fstab.

Buffer Cache

As mentioned earlier, PageCache is often used synonymously with buffer cache. Buffer cache is memory space that Linux uses to hold frequently accessed disk data to improve system performance. To clear it, refer to the earlier section on clearing PageCache.

Precautions

• Always have a backup: Before you clear caches or make significant changes, always back up important data.
• Understand your actions: Clearing caches can result in performance issues, at least temporarily. Linux is good at managing its cache, so unless there’s a specific need, it’s often best to let the system manage itself.
• Monitor system performance: Before and after clearing caches, keep an eye on system performance metrics to understand the impact of your actions.

In conclusion, while Linux is designed to efficiently handle memory and caches, understanding how to manually clear them provides an additional tool for system administrators and power users. Whether you’re troubleshooting, testing, or optimizing, it’s a capability that can prove useful in specific scenarios.