Increasing the number of file handles on Linux workstations

About this task

Important: For best results, before you work with your Rational® product, increase the number of file handles available. A system administrator must make this change.

Use caution when increase the allowed number of file descriptors on Linux®. Failure to follow the instructions can result in a computer that does not start correctly. For the best results, have your system administrator perform this procedure.

Procedure

To increase the file descriptor limit:

  1. Log in as root. If you do not have root access, you must obtain it before you can continue.
  2. Change to the etc directory.
  3. Locate the initscript shell script. Open the file or create it with a Linux text editor.
    Important: Do not leave an empty initscript file on your computer. If you do so, your computer will not start the next time that you turn it on or restart it.
  4. On the first line, set ulimit to a number larger than 1024, the default on most Linux computers. For example:

    ulimit -n 4096

    CAUTION:
    Setting ulimit too high can affect system-wide performance.
  5. On the second line, type eval exec "$4".
  6. Save and close the shell script.

What to do next

For more information about the ulimit command, refer to the man page for ulimit.

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