Server Load

Where did you guys get your information from?
I normally use "top" to monitor my servers, i have always tried understanding server loads using uptime. This shed some light, but where did you get your info?

Thanks,
 
(a) < 1.00
(b) < 3.00
(c) > 3.00

Although this is a very good RoT (Rule of Thumb) to go by, other factors can make a difference as well. The load "average" plus the time at that load, is what really makes a difference. Some functions pump the load up to a 7 or even higher, but since it's only there for a few minutes it's not a problem.

Use top -ci to see what is actually going on and what is using resources, without all the other clutter normally shown by top. And always trust "top" over what a Control Panel may show for the same type information. WHM is really bad at showing outragous amounts of Server resources being used when in fact, they are not.
 
Different servers handle server load differently.
A dual zeon with 2gb of ram will easily handle a load of 5+ without slowing down but a celeron with 512mb ram might not be able to handle a load of 1-2.
 
Thx Blue,

Anyone know of any web site resources such as "MAnpages" that would explain exactly how this works (perhaps the creators of uptime)?
 
As mentioned before, it heavily depends on the cpu, ram utilization, etc.... Load alone doesn't tell the full story.

Generally we 'cut off' new signups when the load averages for the server reaches around 1.00 for the full day (run sar -q to see a good average). That incorporates some 'headroom' for new clients from resellers, etc.

-David
 
Good question - I just got a server with 9 on it, and it doesn't work - you're right. On all of the 7.3 systems I have it does.

Anyway, if you need to install it via rpm it should be named 'sysstat<versionnumber>'.

Here's the homepage for the project -

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/sebastien.godard/

Should be installable via whm if you have that, or by other standard rpm sources if you don't.

-David
 
Oh, and one more thing - once you get it installed you'll be tempted to type 'sar -q' and see what the output is - don't. It'll just give you an error message until it builds up a log file of the load averages. Give it at least 15 minutes if not an hour.

-David
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Supporters

Back
Top