Killed

The Problem
If you are running a script from a command line, for example, adding perl modules or running an install script, your script may quit prematurely with "killed". There is a "tyrannical, but good-natured, procwatch daemon" that kills processes where there is too much processor power and/or memory used.

All processes run by a shell or FTP user are counted together, including website activity, any scripts run, any shell commands, everything. Additionally, all processes run by all users on the server from the same DreamHost account are also counted together. When a process is killed it is generally not using too much memory by itself, it was just the process that tipped the total usage over the limit.

What To Do
First, try some solutions at the Slow Site Troubleshooting page.

Shared Server
If you're on a DreamHost shared server (e.g, not on a DreamHost VPS), your options include the following:


 * Use less memory
 * This should go without saying, but the easiest way to avoid having your processes killed for excessive memory usage is to make them use less memory! One common process which causes problems is the Perl module installer CPAN, for instance, as it often uses over 100 MB of memory just to load an index of all available modules. A less memory-hungry alternative is cpanminus, which can do the same job in a much smaller footprint.


 * Stop unnecessary processes
 * The procwatch daemon monitors memory usage across all processes you are running, not just one individual process, so you may run into memory limits prematurely if you (for instance) have a number of PHP processes running at the same time. Temporarily disabling busy sites on the same user may help, if applicable.


 * Upgrade to DreamHost VPS
 * DreamHost VPS allows you to pick your own memory allocation, starting at 300 MB. You can enable it from the Panel at.

DreamHost VPS
If you're on a DreamHost VPS, matters become much easier! The memory available to your DreamHost VPS can be changed any time from the Panel at. Just turn the slider up to make room for whatever you need to do! If you only need the memory temporarily, you can adjust your memory allocation back down afterwards, and you'll only be charged for the time you used the extra memory!