Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- openbsd [2025/10/20 20:35] – created xmpub
+++ openbsd [2025/11/20 08:17] (current) – xmpub
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{tag>software privacy bsd operating_systems guides unix}}
+{{tag>software privacy bsd operating_systems guides unix openbsd}}
 ====== OpenBSD =======
-**OpenBSD** is one of the best, if not the best [[operating system|operating systems]] you can use.
+Check out my other {{tagpage>openbsd|OpenBSD pages}}
+**OpenBSD** is one of the best, if not the best, [[operating system|operating systems]] you can use.
 ===== Things to note =====
-[[Wine]] does not work on OpenBSD natively. You will have to [[how_to_run_wine_on_openbsd|emulate it.]]
+  *[[Wine]] does not work on OpenBSD natively. You will have to [[how_to_run_wine_on_openbsd|emulate it.]]
-Desktop performance is reduced from what you can expect on [[Linux]].
+  *Desktop performance is reduced from what you can expect on [[Linux]].
 ===== Installation =====
 ==== Encryption =====
 New versions of the OpenBSD installer include this as part of the installer.
-==== Firmware ====
+==== Firmware (Optional & Nonfree) ====
 If you do not have a wired connection you will likely need to [[https://firmware.openbsd.org/firmware/|grab firmware]] for your network hardware before you begin and put it in the EFI directory of your install USB after flashing. It can be installed after installation with ''fw_update <path to .tgz>''
 ==== Post-installation tweaks ====
@@ Line 17: / Line 19: @@
 To search a package:
 ''pkg_info -Q <name>''
 To install a package:
 ''pkg_add <name>''
+===== Adjusting memory limits for desktop use =====
+By default the OpenBSD memory limits are quite low, which makes it inconvenient. There are two ways of limiting memory usage, one is the file ''/etc/login.conf'' which defines per-group/user memory limits, and kernel-defined memory limits set by ''sysctl''. If your computer has a lot of memory then you will certainly want to adjust these.
+  *Firstly add your user account to the ''staff'' group, which has the highest memory limits: ''usermod -G staff myuser'' (The default memory limit for ''staff'' can also be adjusted in ''/etc/login.conf'')
+  *Secondly, edit ''/etc/sysctl.conf''
+  *<code>net.inet.ip.forwarding=1
+# default: 1310
+kern.maxproc=8192
+# default: 7030
+kern.maxfiles=32768
+# default: 1950
+kern.maxthread=16384
+# shared memory settings
+kern.shminfo.shmall=536870912    # default: 8192
+kern.shminfo.shmmax=2147483647   # default: 33554432
+kern.shminfo.shmmni=4096         # default: 1024</code>
+  *Logout and login.