Linux Memory Hotplug in VMware

Prerequisites:

• Memory Hotplugging is activated for the VM: VMware: Edit Settings -> Options -> Memory/CPU Hotplug -> Memory Hot Add
• Kernel module acpi_memhotplug is loaded

Memory expansion:

• Raise assigned memory in the VM settings
• RAM has to be taken online in the VM. For this execute the script below

cd /sys/devices/system/memory
for i in memory*
do
  if [ "`cat $i/state`" = "offline" ]
  then
    echo "online" > $i/state;
  fi
done

I have tested this with SLES11 SP1,SP2 und SP3

Alexander Worlitschek

IT Enthusiast with focus on linux, vmware, container technologies