Performance analysis with iostat, sar, Ksar, collectd, and serverstats
Generating Graphs
Collectd is thus superior to serverstats when it comes to extensibility. However, anyone wanting to display basic data quickly in a web interface will be happy with serverstats. A functional configuration of Apache is already located in the doc
directory:
/usr/share/doc/serverstats# cp examples/apache.conf /etc/apache2/sites-available/serverstats.conf # a2ensite serverstats.conf # service apache2 reload
A cron job automatically creates the rrd
data in /var/lib/serverstats/rrd
every minute:
$ ls /var/lib/serverstats/rrd/ apache_localhost.rrd cpu.rrd disk_sda.rrd load.rrd memory.rrd traffic_proc_eth0.rrd users.rrd
After the Apache configuration is activated, the graphs are available immediately in the web interface, as shown in Figure 3.
Collectd does not provide its own interface for creating graphs. However, plenty of options are available for generating graphs from rrd
data. As a web interface, collectd-web
makes a solid impression (Figure 4). The best approach is to install it directly from the Git repository (Listing 8).
Listing 8
Apache Configuration
Collectd also stores its data in the /var directory
; /var/lib/collectd/rrd
has a subdirectory for each enabled plugin. Those not wanting to set up a web server for viewing graphs on their production system can either copy the data to another system or operate collectd as a client server. The network plugin allows data transfer to a central collectd server via UDP connections.
Conclusions
The tools described in this article will help you get better performance from your systems. Once you learn the basics, you'll find many ways to put these performance tools to work.
Infos
- Block layer statistics: https://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation/block/stat.txt
- Monitoring IO Performance using iostat and pt-diskstats: http://www.percona.com/live/mysql-conference-2014/sites/default/files/slides/PLMCE_2014_MonitoringIO_2014-03-26_am_revised.pdf
- plotiostat logs: http://olausson.de/programs/plot-linux-system-stats
- Linux performance observability: http://www.brendangregg.com/Perf/linux_observability_sar.png
- Ksar: http://sourceforge.net/projects/ksar/
« Previous 1 2 3 4
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.