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Trashing_in_Operating_System

Trashing in an operating system occurs when processes spend more time paging than executing due to insufficient memory and high multiprogramming, leading to poor system performance. It can be detected by high page-fault rates and low CPU utilization, and can be mitigated through strategies like the working set model and effective page replacement algorithms. If not controlled, trashing results in slow system responses, increased resource waste, and user frustration.

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5 views3 pages

Trashing_in_Operating_System

Trashing in an operating system occurs when processes spend more time paging than executing due to insufficient memory and high multiprogramming, leading to poor system performance. It can be detected by high page-fault rates and low CPU utilization, and can be mitigated through strategies like the working set model and effective page replacement algorithms. If not controlled, trashing results in slow system responses, increased resource waste, and user frustration.

Uploaded by

anusanu162
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Trashing in Operating System

Introduction

In an operating system, processes need memory (RAM) to run efficiently. When there are too many

processes and not enough memory, the system keeps moving pages in and out of memory very frequently.

This situation where the CPU spends more time swapping pages instead of doing actual work is called

Trashing. Trashing badly affects the system performance and slows down all processes.

Thus, trashing happens when the system is busy with paging activity instead of process execution.

What is Trashing?

- Trashing occurs when a process spends more time paging than executing.

- It usually happens when there are too many active processes in memory and not enough frames available

for them.

- The system keeps loading pages and replacing pages continuously, resulting in very few instructions being

executed between page faults.

- It leads to high CPU utilization for paging activities but low useful work.

Cause of Trashing

1. High Degree of Multiprogramming:

- Too many processes running simultaneously.

- All processes compete for limited memory, causing frequent page faults.

2. Insufficient Frames:

- Each process does not get enough frames to hold its working set.

3. Poor Page Replacement Policies:

- Bad replacement algorithms may remove useful pages, causing more page faults.

4. Increase in CPU Utilization:

- OS may add more processes thinking CPU is free, but actually, CPU is busy with paging.
Trashing in Operating System

How Trashing Works

1. A process needs a set of pages to run efficiently (working set).

2. If working set pages are not in memory, page faults occur.

3. OS will swap in required pages and swap out others.

4. This swapping repeats again and again because the process cannot keep its working set in memory.

5. CPU spends more time handling page faults and less time executing instructions.

6. As a result, system slows down heavily, even though CPU utilization may look high.

Example of Trashing

Suppose three processes A, B, and C are running.

- Each process requires 10 frames to work efficiently.

- Total frames available in the system = 20.

Thus:

- A gets 7 frames

- B gets 7 frames

- C gets 6 frames

None of the processes have enough frames. They keep replacing and swapping pages constantly.

Result:

- High page fault rate

- CPU busy swapping pages

- Low process execution

This is trashing.

Detection of Trashing

Operating System can detect trashing by observing:

- High page-fault rate

- Low CPU utilization

- Processes making little progress

- High disk I/O activity


Trashing in Operating System

Solutions to Avoid Trashing

1. Working Set Model:

- Allocate enough frames to hold the working set.

2. Page Fault Frequency (PFF) Control:

- Monitor page fault rate and adjust frames accordingly.

3. Reduce Degree of Multiprogramming:

- Suspend some processes temporarily to free memory.

4. Use Good Page Replacement Algorithms:

- LRU, LFU reduce unnecessary page replacements.

5. Load Control:

- Control the number of processes admitted to memory.

Advantages of Controlling Trashing

- Better CPU utilization

- Faster process execution

- Reduced disk I/O

- Smooth system performance

- Reduced system overhead

Disadvantages if Trashing Occurs

- Extremely slow system response

- High memory and CPU waste

- Programs take too long to complete

- Increased wear on hard drives

- Frustration for users

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