Optimal configuration to eliminate "out of file descriptors" error

I'm trying to figure out what the optimal Postgres configuration would
be for my server (with 200 connecting clients, even though I'd really
like to get it up to 500).


I've got a 700 MHz eMac running Mac OS 10.3.2 (Panther) with 512 MB of
RAM. I've messed around with some settings but I'm still getting an
occasional "out of file descriptor" error, especially when performing
a VACUUM. Like so...


2004-04-13 23:30:05 LOG:  out of file descriptors: Too many open
files; release and retry

CONTEXT:  writing block 1 of relation 67553/16604


I'm going to do my best to provide my current system settings that
relate to Postgres. It would be great if someone could tell me where
I'm way off, and get me on the right track. I'm under the impression
that my machine should be able to handle 200 to 500 client
connections. If that's not the case, I'm fine with getting new
hardware, I just don't want to go to that step "willy nilly". Thanks!


<bold>1. Snipped from postgresql.conf (the only three settings I've
changed)</bold>


     max_connections = 200

     ...

     shared_buffers = 2000

     ...

     max_files_per_process = 100



<bold>2. Snipped from /etc/profile</bold>


     ulimit -u 512



<bold>3. Snipped from /etc/rc</bold>


     sysctl -w kern.sysv.shmmax=167772160

     sysctl -w kern.sysv.shmmin=1

     sysctl -w kern.sysv.shmmni=32

     sysctl -w kern.sysv.shmseg=8

     sysctl -w kern.sysv.shmall=65536



<bold>4. Snipped from etc/sysctl.conf</bold>


     # Turn up maxproc

     kern.maxproc=2048


     # Turn up the maxproc per user

     kern.maxprocperuid=512
I'm trying to figure out what the optimal Postgres configuration would
be for my server (with 200 connecting clients, even though I'd really
like to get it up to 500).

I've got a 700 MHz eMac running Mac OS 10.3.2 (Panther) with 512 MB of
RAM. I've messed around with some settings but I'm still getting an
occasional "out of file descriptor" error, especially when performing a
VACUUM. Like so...

2004-04-13 23:30:05 LOG:  out of file descriptors: Too many open files;
release and retry
CONTEXT:  writing block 1 of relation 67553/16604

I'm going to do my best to provide my current system settings that
relate to Postgres. It would be great if someone could tell me where
I'm way off, and get me on the right track. I'm under the impression
that my machine should be able to handle 200 to 500 client connections.
If that's not the case, I'm fine with getting new hardware, I just
don't want to go to that step "willy nilly". Thanks!

1. Snipped from postgresql.conf (the only three settings I've changed)

      max_connections = 200
      ...
      shared_buffers = 2000
      ...
      max_files_per_process = 100


2. Snipped from /etc/profile

      ulimit -u 512


3. Snipped from /etc/rc

      sysctl -w kern.sysv.shmmax=167772160
      sysctl -w kern.sysv.shmmin=1
      sysctl -w kern.sysv.shmmni=32
      sysctl -w kern.sysv.shmseg=8
      sysctl -w kern.sysv.shmall=65536


4. Snipped from etc/sysctl.conf

      # Turn up maxproc
      kern.maxproc=2048

      # Turn up the maxproc per user
      kern.maxprocperuid=512