On Wed, 2006-03-01 at 19:18, Chris Mason (Lists) wrote: > Sudev Barar wrote: > > > > No load average is not just CPU but reflects all parameters. For pure > > CPU usage system monitor or similar tool will give better > > understanding. Also the processes (or dameons) running will really > > determine the expected load average. > > But as some else said for genera usage 2~3 times x number of > > processors is a thumb rule guide. > > -- > > > I don't think so. I believe, but could be wrong, that load average is > the number of processes waiting to execute. Nothing else. > However, I reserve the right to be wrong. It is supposed to be the number of runnable processes (i.e. not waiting on i/o completion) so 1 per processor is busy, higher means something is waiting for CPU. Most programs other than graphics and number-crunching tend to wait more for i/o than CPU, so a load average of 2-3 (x processors) may not reflect noticeable delays. -- Les Mikesell lesmikesell@xxxxxxxxx