server load. how?

numerodix · l33t Joined: 18 Jul 2002 Posts: 743 Location: nl.eu

Here's a basic question, what is the significance of the server load exactly? It's always given for max load, current load and average if I'm not mistaken. For instance 1.26, 1.21, 1.24 but what do those numbers mean precisely?

rac · Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2002 11:07 pm Post subject:

The number of processes actively running concurrently. How many things the machine feels like it's trying to do at the same time.
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simulacrum · Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2002 1:38 am Post subject:

I was under the impression it was server load for the past 1, 5, and 15 minutes, in percent. So in your example it would be around 1.2 percent CPU load. I could be mistaken however, anyone else?

zhenlin · Veteran Joined: 09 Nov 2002 Posts: 1361

1.2 means 120%, in othere words, too many processes and threads waiting for CPU time.

simulacrum · Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2002 4:17 pm Post subject:

I love linux, I learn something new all the time. I found this excerpt:

Load Average is the average number of processes waiting to be serviced
in the run queue over a given period of time. The normal load average
numbers you see (from the top, w or uptime commands) are usually the
system's load average over the past 1, 5 and 15 minutes. A higher
laod average implies a higher system load.

Note that the load average is not a percentage (it is just an
indication of processes waiting for their turn), nor can it be used to
determine precisely whether a system is overloaded or not. Faster
systems can handle higher load averages with ease, so my MIPS
R10000-based Origin200 at office gives immediate responses at load
averages of 60, while my 486/66 at home, for example, becomes
difficult to use if the load average goes above 4 or so.

numerodix · l33t Joined: 18 Jul 2002 Posts: 743 Location: nl.eu

Thanks a lot, greatly appreciated!!