[wplug] cpu load?

James O'Kane jo2y at midnightlinux.com
Thu Aug 16 01:17:22 EDT 2007


On Thu, 16 Aug 2007, Zach wrote:

> xload is showing my CPU at 90-100% usage for the past 20 minutes and
> my system is very slow and I see my green disk activity light blinking
> furiously yet when I look in top or ps I see no process with more than
> 3% CPU and all of the processes combined are using less than 10% of
> the CPU. Is there a more accurate and up to date way to see precisely
> the real CPU load and which process is using the most. Something like
> the Sysinternals Process Explorer (I think Microsoft bought them out).
>
> this is a dell latitude c600 (750MHz PIII cpu, 256MB RAM) running linux 2.6.18
> and debian testing release.
>
> top - 00:28:21 up 1 day,  5:39,  5 users,  load average: 2.72, 2.92, 2.72
> Tasks: 118 total,   2 running, 116 sleeping,   0 stopped,   0 zombie
> Cpu(s):  5.6%us,  3.0%sy,  0.0%ni,  0.0%id, 90.7%wa,  0.7%hi,  0.0%si,  0.0%st
> Mem:    256888k total,   253228k used,     3660k free,     7308k buffers
> Swap:   257032k total,   178992k used,    78040k free,    70920k cached
>
> zu22 at netrek:/tmp$ ps auxw
> USER       PID %CPU %MEM    VSZ   RSS TTY      STAT START   TIME COMMAND
> root         1  0.0  0.2   2064   564 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:02 init [2]
> root         2  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S    Aug14   0:00 [migration/0]
> root         3  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        SN   Aug14   0:00 [ksoftirqd/0]
> root         4  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   Aug14   0:04 [events/0]
> root         5  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   Aug14   0:00 [khelper]
> root         6  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   Aug14   0:00 [kthread]
> root         9  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   Aug14   0:02 [kblockd/0]
> root        10  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   Aug14   0:00 [kacpid]
> root        95  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   Aug14   0:00 [kseriod]
> root       131  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   Aug14   0:58 [kswapd0]
> root       132  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   Aug14   0:00 [aio/0]
> root       644  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   Aug14   0:00 [khubd]
> root      1077  0.0  0.1   2888   424 ?        S<s  Aug14   0:00 udevd --daemon
> root      1382  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   Aug14   0:00 [pccardd]
> root      1396  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   Aug14   0:00 [kpsmoused]
> root      1405  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   Aug14   0:00 [pccardd]
> root      1741  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S<   Aug14   0:00 [kmirrord]
> root      2180  0.0  0.2   1740   552 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:01 /sbin/syslogd
> root      2190  0.0  0.1   1692   320 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00 /sbin/klogd -x
> root      2203  0.0  0.1   5252   392 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00 /usr/sbin/sshd
> 103       2222  0.0  0.1   2768   476 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /usr/bin/dbus-daemon --system
> root      2233  0.0  0.1   2800   472 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:01
> /usr/bin/dirmngr --daemon --sh
> root      2281  0.0  0.1   1692   340 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/hddtemp -d -l 127.0.0.1 -p 7634 -s | -S 3600 /dev/hda
> 108       2296  0.0  0.3  18532   788 ?        Ssl  Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/ippl -c /var/run/ippl/ippl.conf
> root      2317  0.0  0.2   2500   624 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/netdaemon
> root      2318  0.0  0.0   1968   152 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/netserver
> root      2324  0.0  0.1   1872   448 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00 /usr/sbin/inetd
> root      2331  0.0  0.1   2872   352 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /usr/bin/pads -D -c /etc/pads/pads.conf
> root      2338  0.0  0.1   4380   496 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/powertweakd
> root      2346  0.0  0.1   1680   356 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/rarpd -e -v
> root      2351  0.0  0.1   3192   380 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/sensord -f daemon
> root      2354  0.0  0.1   1696   312 ?        S<s  Aug14   0:00 [swapd]
> nobody    2363  0.0  0.3   1944   796 ?        S    Aug14   0:33
> /usr/sbin/tcpspy -f /etc/tcpspy.rules
> root      2372  0.0  0.0   1880   144 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/ulogd -d
> root      2377  0.0  0.1   3584   444 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /usr/bin/xfs -daemon
> ntp       2464  0.0  0.2   4124   736 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/ntpd -p /var/run/ntpd.pid -u 113:121 -g
> avahi     2478  0.0  0.2   2868   668 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> avahi-daemon: running [netrek.local]
> avahi     2479  0.0  0.0   2728   200 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> avahi-daemon: chroot helper
> 107       2486  0.0  0.5   4704  1408 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00 /usr/sbin/hald
> root      2487  0.0  0.2   2932   560 ?        S    Aug14   0:00 hald-runner
> root      2492  0.0  0.2   4688   576 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> /usr/lib/hal/hald-addon-dell-backlight
> 107       2494  0.0  0.2   2156   576 ?        S    Aug14   0:02
> hald-addon-keyboard: listening on /dev/input/event0
> 107       2497  0.0  0.2   2156   536 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> hald-addon-acpi: listening on acpi kernel interface /proc/acpi/even
> root      2507  0.0  0.2   2984   572 ?        S    Aug14   0:19
> hald-addon-storage: polling /dev/hdc (every 2 sec)
> root      2531  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> [afs_rxlistener]
> root      2533  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S    Aug14   0:00 [afs_callback]
> root      2535  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S    Aug14   0:00 [afs_rxevent]
> root      2537  0.0  0.0   1916    60 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /sbin/afsd -afsdb -dynroot -fakestat
> root      2539  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S    Aug14   0:00 [afsd]
> root      2541  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> [afs_checkserver]
> root      2543  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> [afs_background]
> root      2545  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> [afs_background]
> root      2547  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S    Aug14   0:00 [afs_cachetrim]
> root      2557  0.0  0.1  12644   484 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00 /usr/sbin/gdm
> root      2565  0.0  0.3  12992   988 ?        S    Aug14   0:00 /usr/sbin/gdm
> root      2569  9.9 12.9 157084 33252 tty7     S<s+ Aug14 177:10
> /usr/bin/X :0 -audit 0 -auth /var/lib/gdm/:0.Xauth -nolisten tcp vt
> root      2590  0.0  0.1   1720   404 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:01
> /usr/sbin/noflushd -n 0
> daemon    2605  0.0  0.1   1948   300 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00 /usr/sbin/atd
> root      2612  0.0  0.2   2324   652 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00 /usr/sbin/cron
> root      2767  0.0  0.2  20016   700 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/apache2 -k start
> www-data  2800  0.0  0.1  20016   412 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/apache2 -k start
> www-data  2801  0.0  0.1  20016   408 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/apache2 -k start
> www-data  2802  0.0  0.1  20016   424 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/apache2 -k start
> www-data  2803  0.0  0.1  20016   432 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/apache2 -k start
> www-data  2804  0.0  0.1  20016   428 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/apache2 -k start
> 110       2863  0.0  0.9  12624  2452 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:01
> /usr/sbin/smokeping [FPing]
> root      2985  0.0  0.2   2792   612 tty1     Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /bin/login --
> root      2986  0.0  0.2   2788   612 tty2     Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /bin/login --
> root      2987  0.0  0.1   1688   416 tty3     Ss+  Aug14   0:00
> /sbin/getty 38400 tty3
> root      2988  0.0  0.1   1692   416 tty4     Ss+  Aug14   0:00
> /sbin/getty 38400 tty4
> root      2989  0.0  0.1   1692   416 tty5     Ss+  Aug14   0:00
> /sbin/getty 38400 tty5
> root      2990  0.0  0.1   1688   416 tty6     Ss+  Aug14   0:00
> /sbin/getty 38400 tty6
> zu22      3421  0.0  0.7   7268  2012 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:18 fvwm
> zu22      3625  0.0  0.1   4424   396 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /usr/bin/ssh-agent /usr/bin/dbus-launch --exit-with-session /usr/bi
> zu22      3628  0.0  0.1   2680   380 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> /usr/bin/dbus-launch --exit-with-session /usr/bin/seahorse-agent --
> zu22      3629  0.0  0.1   2772   396 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /usr/bin/dbus-daemon --fork --print-pid 4 --print-address 8 --sessi
> zu22      3673  0.0  0.7   6324  1956 ?        S    Aug14   0:01
> /usr/lib/libgconf2-4/gconfd-2 13
> zu22      3694  0.0  0.7  19444  1852 ?        Ss   Aug14   0:00
> /usr/bin/seahorse-agent --execute fvwm
> zu22      3874  0.1  0.5   6568  1532 ?        S    Aug14   1:58
> /usr/lib/fvwm/2.5.21/FvwmTaskBar 7 4 none 0 8
> zu22      3875  0.0  0.4   6312  1264 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> /usr/lib/fvwm/2.5.21/FvwmButtons 9 4 none 0 8 BarButtons
> zu22      3876  0.0  0.3   5820   880 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> /usr/lib/fvwm/2.5.21/FvwmButtons 11 4 none 0 8 DeskerPanelButtons
> zu22      3877  0.0  0.2   3536   668 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> /usr/lib/fvwm/2.5.21/FvwmAnimate 13 4 none 0 8
> zu22      3878  0.0  0.4  10388  1088 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> /usr/lib/fvwm/2.5.21/FvwmGtk 15 4 none 0 8
> zu22      3881  0.0  0.4   6336  1096 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> /usr/lib/fvwm/2.5.21/FvwmPager 17 4 none 0 8 FvwmDesker 0 3
> zu22      3882  0.0  0.3   5028   896 ?        SN   Aug14   0:02 xload
> -nolabel -update 4 -bg grey59 -hl grey70 -geometry -1500-1500
> zu22      3883  0.0  0.4   6732  1108 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> xclock -padding 0 -geometry -1500-1500
> zu22      3884  0.0  0.5   6336  1336 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> /usr/lib/fvwm/2.5.21/FvwmPager 19 4 none 0 8 FvwmPagerPager * *
> root      3885  0.0  0.4   4204  1172 tty1     S+   Aug14   0:00 -bash
> root      3894  0.0  0.4   4204  1092 tty2     S    Aug14   0:00 -bash
> root      3900  0.0  0.1   2952   432 tty2     S+   Aug14   0:00 tail
> -f /var/log/messages
> zu22      3901  0.0  3.6  40692  9328 ?        Rl   Aug14   1:28 gnome-terminal
> zu22      3903  0.0  0.4  48912  1136 ?        Ssl  Aug14   0:00
> /usr/lib/bonobo-activation/bonobo-activation-server --ac-activate -
> zu22      3922  0.0  0.2   2500   520 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> gnome-pty-helper
> zu22      3923  0.0  0.4   4680  1088 pts/0    Ss   Aug14   0:00 bash
> zu22      3931  0.0  0.5   4832  1520 pts/3    Ss   Aug14   0:00 bash
> root     27262  0.0  0.2   3904   620 pts/0    S    Aug14   0:00 su root
> root     27264  0.0  0.5   4192  1400 pts/0    S    Aug14   0:00 bash
> www-data 32419  0.0  0.1  20016   416 ?        S    Aug14   0:00
> /usr/sbin/apache2 -k start
> zu22      5128  0.0  0.4   4348  1088 pts/3    S    Aug15   0:06 xscreensaver
> zu22      2130  0.0  0.4  64816  1184 ?        Sl   Aug15   0:00
> /usr/lib/evolution/evolution-data-server-1.10 --oaf-activate-iid=OA
> zu22      2138  0.0  1.0  66896  2596 ?        Sl   Aug15   0:00
> /usr/lib/evolution/2.10/evolution-alarm-notify --oaf-activate-iid=O
> root     13767  0.0  0.1   2848   480 ?        Ss   Aug15   0:00
> /usr/sbin/pppd call isp.com updetach dump debug
> root     13826  0.0  0.1   1704   400 ?        Ss   Aug15   0:00
> /usr/sbin/portsentry -tcp
> root     13830  0.0  0.1   1708   316 ?        Ss   Aug15   0:00
> /usr/sbin/portsentry -udp
> www-data 13980  0.0  0.1  20016   380 ?        S    Aug15   0:00
> /usr/sbin/apache2 -k start
> zu22     15114 28.6 39.3 248048 101036 ?       Sl   Aug15  18:51
> /usr/lib/iceweasel/firefox-bin -a firefox
> root     15307  0.0  0.2   2660   740 ?        S    00:00   0:00 /USR/SBIN/CRON
> 112      15312  0.0  0.5   3036  1324 ?        Ss   00:00   0:00
> /bin/sh -c   command -v systraq >/dev/null && systraq | mailx -s "[
> 112      15314  0.0  0.4   2528  1060 ?        S    00:00   0:00
> /bin/sh -e /usr/sbin/systraq
> 112      15315  0.0  0.5   7680  1372 ?        S    00:00   0:00 mailx
> -s [Systraq] netrek 20070816 debian-systraq
> 112      15320  0.0  0.1   1680   440 ?        S    00:00   0:00
> /bin/run-parts /etc/systraq/systraq.d
> 112      15579  0.0  0.3   3040   924 ?        Ss   00:00   0:00
> /bin/sh -e /etc/systraq/systraq.d/nn-debsums
> 112      15594  2.6  1.6   8828  4168 ?        D    00:00   0:51
> /usr/bin/perl -w /usr/bin/debsums -s
> root     17781  0.3  3.6  15280  9332 pts/0    S    00:11   0:04 emacs
> FMC-invite.txt
> root     19169  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S    00:15   0:00 [pdflush]
> root     19170  0.0  0.0      0     0 ?        S    00:15   0:00 [pdflush]
> root     19180  0.7  0.3   1980   824 pts/0    D+   00:17   0:07 updatedb

Load average includes is based on everything in the run queue (the things 
you've accounted for), plus everything blocked on I/O. This updatedb 
process is what's adding 1 to your load average and causing the disk light 
activity. At it's core, updatedb is a 'find /', so every file on your 
system is being stat()ed. This is used to make locate(1) work.

I'm not familiar with xload to say what it's using to decide things.
You could look into some of the tools in the sysstat package.

> zu22     19242  0.0  0.3   3620  1020 pts/3    R+   00:32   0:00 ps auxw
>
> zach
> _______________________________________________
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> wplug at wplug.org
> http://www.wplug.org/mailman/listinfo/wplug
>


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