Q:  I get the error "out of processes."   How can I increase the size of  the kernel's process table?

A:  In Release 1 increasing the size of the process table is done by increasing the value of the system variable nproc.  Nproc can be changed by explicitly specifying the value on the boot command line from the NeXT ROM monitor:

	NeXT>bsd sdmach nproc=200

This will set nproc to the decimal number 200.  The value may be entered in either decimal or hexidecimal.  To enter the value in hexidecimal, precede the number with "0x".  The default  value is nproc=0x54 (which is 84 decimal).    The new size of nproc stays in effect until you reboot the system.  

The current value of nproc can be gotten from the nmi> monitor.  On a running system do the following:

Hold down both Command keys while typing the tilde/backquote key (the upper left key on the numeric keypad (this enters the NMI monitor).

At the nmi  prompt, query the value of nproc by:

	nmi>nproc=

This returns the current value of nproc in hexidecimal.

Also note that the maximum number of processes in Release 1 that a user can create is 40 (decimal).  This limit cannot be increased.

In Releases 2 and 3, nproc is no longer part of the kernelÐthe process table grows dynamically.  The maximum number of user processes has been increased from 40 to 100.

QA471

Valid for 1.0, 2.0, 3.0