Setting a softwarelimit to RAM in Linux

Question

For testing purpose of an application, I would like to limit the RAM of a server. I prefere not to remove the RAM-sticks. I could not find an option in the BIOS. Is there a way to modify this in the Linux configuration?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Use ulimit -d $SIZE_IN_KB to limit the data segment of the current bash shell and whatever you launch from it. help ulimit in bash gives you the documentation.

ETA: If you want to limit the whole system, set mem=1G as a boot parameter in grub (doc).