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===== dCore Swap =====

==== Overview ====

A swap primer for dCore users with minimal Linux or no Tiny Core Linux experience.

Depending on intended use, a [[https://www.linux.com/news/all-about-linux-swap-space|Linux swap partition or swap file]] is recommended for systems with < 1-2 GB RAM. Swap is especially useful on low RAM systems to import/update large extensions, run numerous/heavier applications, compile software or set up hibernation.

By default, dCore will seek and utilize any existing swap partition at boot. To confirm whether a swap partition is being utilized, run ''cat /etc/fstab'', ''free -m'' and/or ''cat /proc/swaps'', examples:
<code>
tc@box:~$ cat /etc/fstab | grep swap
/dev/sda5       none            swap     defaults             0 0 # Added by TC
</code>
<code>
tc@box:~$ free -m
             total       used       free     shared    buffers     cached
Mem:           500        484         15         73         37        267
-/+ buffers/cache:        179        320
Swap:          729          1        727
</code>
<code>
tc@box:~$ cat /proc/swaps
Filename                                Type            Size    Used    Priority
/dev/sda5                               partition       746984  0       -1
</code>

==== Swap Partition ====
Setting up a swap partition during a fresh installation using [[http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Partition/fdisk_partitioning.html|fdisk]] is outlined in the [[http://wiki.tinycorelinux.net/dcore:installation_from_iso_without_boot_loader#partition_hard_drive|Partition Hard Drive]] and [[http://wiki.tinycorelinux.net/dcore:installation_from_iso_without_boot_loader#create_hard_drive_file_systems|Create Hard Drive File Systems]] sections of [[dcore:installation_from_ISO_without_boot_loader|dCore Install from ISO to Hard Drive Without Pre-Existing Boot Loader]]. Systems with a pre-partitioned drive may find it easiest to use a [[https://livecdlist.com/|Linux LiveCD]] that contains [[http://gparted.org/|GParted]]. Alternatively set up a swap file, outlined below.

==== Swap File ====
If a swap partition was not set up prior to the installation of dCore, it may be easiest to set up a swap file. From a graphic environment open Control Panel (cpanel) -> Swapfile Tool (swapfile) and enter the desired mounted partition to utilize along with the desired swap file size. Then add the [[http://tinycorelinux.net/faq.html#bootcodes|swapfile bootcode]] to the system's boot loader to activate upon reboot, example ''swapfile=sda1''. To confirm the swap file is being used, reboot system and run ''cat /proc/swaps''.

==== Boot Codes ====
For more information regarding Tiny Core Linux boot codes review [[http://wiki.tinycorelinux.net/wiki:boot_codes_explained|boot codes explained]]. The following swap related [[http://distro.ibiblio.org/tinycorelinux/faq.html#bootcodes|boot codes]] are available:
  *''swapfile'' (eg. swapfile=sda2) to use a swapfile.
  *''noswap'' to disable use of any swap partition(s).
  *''nozswap'' to disable compressed swap ([[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zswap|zswap]]) in RAM.


==== Miscellaneous ====
As outlined, dCore automatically seeks available swap partition(s) at boot. If using the swapfile boot code, a swapfile needs to be set up in advance. By default dCore uses compressed swap in RAM, which sets aside a block of RAM to use as compressed swap space, so systems with adequate RAM may not require dedicated swap. Review the Wikipedia zswap link above for information, especially the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU|CPU]] cycles vs [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I/O|I/O]] tradeoff. Actual system experimentation is recommended to determine which swap options or boot codes are required, if any. This [[http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-add-a-swap-file-howto/|Linux Swap File How To]] is a valuable resource for those who wish to manually create a swap file or experiment with swappiness.

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