Understanding how to check swap in Linux is crucial for efficient system administration. Swap space is a designated area on a hard disk that acts as an extension of the computer’s physical memory (RAM). When the RAM is full, the system moves inactive or less frequently used memory pages to the swap space, allowing the RAM to handle more active tasks. Monitoring and managing swap space helps prevent system slowdowns and ensures optimal performance.
There are several methods to check swap usage in Linux. One common approach is through the “free” command. Running “free -m” in the terminal displays the total amount of physical and swap memory, along with the used and available space. Another useful command is “vmstat,” which provides real-time information about memory usage, including swap space utilization. Additionally, graphical tools like “htop” and “glances” offer user-friendly interfaces to monitor system resources, including swap usage.
