Should we add memtest=1 to linux kernel boot parameters?
Quote The kernel's command-line parameters — The Linux Kernel documentation
memtest= [KNL,X86,ARM,PPC] Enable memtest Format: <integer> default : 0 <disable> Specifies the number of memtest passes to be performed. Each pass selects another test pattern from a given set of patterns. Memtest fills the memory with this pattern, validates memory contents and reserves bad memory regions that are detected.
If it would find faulty RAM (such as one one of my test systems) it would add the following log entry (different timestamp):
[ 0.928178] Bad RAM detected. Use memtest86+ to perform a thorough test
and the memmap= parameter to reserve the bad areas
Among other less important output such as which address is faulty. The kernel would then reserve this memory so no application would use it.
Advantages:
- higher system stability, less random issues and crashes
- above log message could be detected by whonixcheck and/or systemcheck (this might become the name of whonixcheck ported to Kicksecure) and the user could be notified of the issue
- perhaps even better security because with bad luck and a bit flip access could be granted where access should be forbidden?
Disadvantages:
- slightly longer boot times (can’t notice difference in VM but a bit slower on host)