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2025

  • in DevOps
  • 1 min read

How to remove unnecessary Package in Oracle Linux Server

List Installed Packages

Before uninstalling, check which packages are installed:

dnf list installed
or for older versions:

rpm -qa

Identify Unnecessary Applications

  • Use dnf list installed to find applications you don’t need

  • Check running services: 

    systemctl list-units --type=service --state=running

  • Use ps aux or top to find unnecessary processes.

Remove Applications Using dnf

For newer Oracle Linux versions (8+), use: 

sudo dnf remove package_name -y

For example:

sudo dnf remove httpd -y  # Removes Apache HTTP Server
sudo dnf remove libreoffice* -y  # Removes LibreOffice and related packages

To remove multiple packages at once:

sudo dnf remove package1 package2 package3 -y

Remove Applications Using rpm (If dnf Is Not Available)

sudo rpm -e package_name
If dependencies prevent removal, force it with:

sudo rpm -e --nodeps package_name

Remove Unused Dependencies

After uninstalling, clean up unused packages:

sudo dnf autoremove -y

Disable and Remove Unnecessary Services

  • Disable a service before removing it
sudo systemctl disable service_name --now
  • Check if the service is disabled:
systemctl status service_name
  • Remove the service package:

sudo dnf remove package_name -y
For example, to remove firewalld:

sudo systemctl disable firewalld --now
sudo dnf remove firewalld -y

Clear Cache and Free Up Space

After removing applications, clean up system cache:

sudo dnf clean all
sudo rm -rf /var/cache/dnf/*

Check disk usage:

df -h
  • in DevOps
  • 2 min read

How to tune Oracle Linux Server Performance

Update System Packages

Keep your system and kernel updated 

sudo dnf update -y

Optimize Kernel Parameters

Modify sysctl.conf for better memory and network performance

sudo vi /etc/sysctl.conf
Add or modify these lines: 
vm.swappiness=10
vm.dirty_ratio=20
vm.dirty_background_ratio=10
net.core.somaxconn=1024
net.ipv4.tcp_max_syn_backlog=2048

Apply changes without rebooting:

sudo sysctl -p

Enable Performance Profiles

Use tuned to apply performance optimizations

sudo dnf install tuned -y
sudo systemctl enable --now tuned
sudo tuned-adm profile throughput-performance

Optimize Disk I/O

Set the correct I/O scheduler for SSD:

echo "none" | sudo tee /sys/block/sd*/queue/scheduler

Use iotop to monitor disk usage:

sudo dnf install iotop -y
sudo iotop

Optimize Memory Usage

Increase file descriptors limit:

sudo vi /etc/security/limits.conf
Add:

* soft nofile 65535
* hard nofile 65535

Reduce swapping:

sudo sysctl -w vm.swappiness=10

Optimize Network Performance

Enable TCP Fast Open:

sudo sysctl -w net.ipv4.tcp_fastopen=3
Increase connection tracking limit:

sudo sysctl -w net.netfilter.nf_conntrack_max=100000

Use Oracle Linux UEK (Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel)

Check if you're using UEK:

uname -r
If not, install and enable it:

sudo dnf install kernel-uek -y
sudo grubby --set-default /boot/vmlinuz-$(ls /boot | grep uek | tail -1)
sudo reboot

Disable Unnecessary Services

List enabled services:

sudo systemctl list-unit-files --type=service | grep enabled
Disable unused services:

sudo systemctl disable servicename --now

Use Oracle Linux Ksplice (Live Kernel Patching)

Enables zero-downtime kernel patching:

sudo dnf install ksplice-uptrack -y
sudo systemctl enable --now uptrack

Monitor Performance

Use built-in tools: 

top      # Process monitoring
htop     # Enhanced top (install with `sudo dnf install htop -y`)
iostat   # Disk I/O (install with `sudo dnf install sysstat -y`)
vmstat   # Memory and CPU stats

What is -h vs --help in Linux command?

-h vs --help

To sum up, the Linux shell provides access to help information for commands through both -h and —help.

However, —help is a more uniform and universal option that may be used with a variety of commands. Shorter and occasionally used, -h can have varying availability and significance.

It is advised to use --help to reliably obtain help information, particularly for commands that are unknown.