Hi, we are facing a problem of defunct processes getting created on our Server. We are using Aix 4.3.3 with Oracle 8.1.7.3 Would like to know if there is any way we can avoid the defunct processes getting started. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated. Vincent

That sounds like more of a programming question. Those defunct processes should have a parent. So I would get the PID of the parent and ask why the parent is creating so many defunct processes. If you are identifying the defunct processes with the ps command, you might also want to keep this in mind (I yanked this off a ps man page--but not sure if it applies to AIX): -->MANPAGE Things can change while ps is running; the snap-shot it gives is true only for a split-second, and it may not be accurate by the time you see it. Some data printed for defunct processes is irrelevant---

Just to clarify matters on ZOMBIE/defunct processes. This is the normal life of a program. fork()INIT->exec()->RUN->exit()->ZOMBIE->done INIT(fork) The program is started by a parent process, an action called fork() The fork makes a copy(the child) of the calling process(the parent). exec() The child then issues an exec() system call which replaces the new process with the intended executable file. SRUN/URUN (system/user run space) The new child program now runs. Now the parent is either waiting(in a SLEEP) for the child to finish or checks for the childs completion or the system notifys the parent on exit of the child process. exit() The child exits and returns the resources(memory) to the system. ZOMBIE/defunct At this point the child has terminated and is in ZOMBIE/defunct state. THIS IS NORMAL!! It will stay in this state until the parent process acknowledges receipt of the appropriate signal or terminates. If the parent process has died unexpectedly or something else has prevented acknowledgment from the parent then process ID #1 (init) takes over and becomes the childs parent until reboot. So... A zombie does not tie up memory but it still has a slot in the process table. I/O devices can get locked out. You can't kill a ZOMBIE/defunct process because...... IT'S ALREADY DEAD!!! Leave them till ur next reboot and talk to the programmer.