Error Message: "no buffer space available"
Support knowledgebase (cg_bufferspace)
Applies to
Kernel: Versions since 2.2
Symptom:
During the boot process or when in operation, the error message no
buffer space available
is displayed on the console several times without any apparent reason. This message
can be found again in the log file
/var/log/messages
. Additionally, some services
requiring the network might not be usable, such as printing or pinging
the machine.
Cause:
This error may be due to two related causes.
- The loopback device with the IP address 127.0.0.1 has not been
configured and a kernel internal
table becomes too full, leading to the above-mentioned error
message.
- The route for the default gateway has been configured
incorrectly. The error message arises
if the IP address of a local interface has been defined as default
gateway to the Internet.
If this is the case, the Internet connection via ethernet will usually
not work. However, in some
special cases (e.g., if you are using a commercial router hardware
[Cisco]), everything
will seem to work. Nevertheless, the Linux machine's ARP cache will
fill up after a short period, causing the error message mentioned above.
Solution:
First case: Check the /etc/rc.config
variable
START_LOOPBACK
by way of yast->System Administration->Change configuration file. This variable must be set to
yes
. Check if the package "aaa_base" has been properly
installed or updated.
Second case: Check the settings and output of
/sbin/route -n
.
Make sure the default gw IP address does not match that
of a local interface.
The default GW on the existing Internet connection should not be the
local computer.
Keywords: BUFFER, SPACE, AVAILABLE, LOOPBACK, DEFAULT, GW
Categories:
Network
SDB-cg_bufferspace, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany
- Version: 04. Apr 2002
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 21. Mai 2002 by ip (sdb_gen 1.40.0)