Maximum number of processes Linux 2.6 kernel can handle

Posted on in Categories Linux, Sys admin, Tips last updated September 25, 2006

For average desktop user this information has no value at all.

However if you run Linux based server for your business or you are part of Linux support team, you should always aware of various limitations such as maximum file / parition size, maximum RAM or CPU limitations etc.

Maximum process or threads for Linux kernel 2.6

  • Maximum number of threads: 32000
  • Maximum number of threaded processes: 32000
  • Maximum number of processes: 32000

For more information please read official Linux kernel documentation and source code.

Posted by: Vivek Gite

The author is the creator of nixCraft and a seasoned sysadmin and a trainer for the Linux operating system/Unix shell scripting. He has worked with global clients and in various industries, including IT, education, defense and space research, and the nonprofit sector. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+.

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2 comment

  1. I’m not sure where you got your information, but it’s completely bogus. Linux has allowed the maximum number of threads to be changed at run time since 2.4. The default maximum is set based on total RAM, but that doesn’t stop you from setting it to whatever you want.

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