"active memory" and "idle memory"

[dutrium]

Hello,

In my understanding, VM allocated memory can be devided into "active memory" and "idle memory".

Active memory is: "Recently accessed or used by guest os or applications".

My question is what is the definition of "Recently accessed"?

e.g., "The memory page which is read/written within 5 minutes" or like that.

Can anyone clearly explain this? Or, ESX dynamically change the value of this?

Regards,

[DSTAVERT]

For everything you wanted to know about how ESX(i) uses memory resources have a look at http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/perf-vsphere-memory_management.pdf

Recently accessed is dynamic since ESX(i) samples guest memory pages (100) per 60 seconds. The sample period is adjustable.

[dutrium]

Thanks. OK, active/idle state of memory pages have been determined dynamically by vmkernel.

Thanks again.