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Re: [Wlug] System diagnostics

by Mike Leo

I learned about "sar" last night due to a server outage...check it out. I think it will server your purpose ----- Original Message ---- From: Andy Stewart <andystewart(a)comcast.net> To: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 5:42:55 PM Subject: Re: [Wlug] System diagnostics -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Michael Long wrote: > Hi All, > > I just install Ubuntu 6.06 lts. With the box up and running it appears > that there is disk activity because the light on the case is active. > However running top shows the box is basically idle (CPU < 1%) and "ps > aux" shows nothing unusual. I do not claim to be a sys admin however so > I may not be interpreting things correctly. The fans seem to be working > harder than before as well. > > What command line tools should I be looking at determine the health of > the machine and drives. The os is on an IDE drive and I have a raid > (MegaRAID) for the other drive. > > I know this is a bit vague but I am not sure where to start. I have been > using opensuse but now I do not have x or the other tools that come > bundled with kde. > > Thanks, > Mike HI Mike, Here's what I would try: a) Are you sure that the disk activity light on the case is properly wired to your MB? Is the light constantly on, or does it flicker? b) unplug the network cable to insure that the disk activity isn't caused by something on the network c) If you are sufficiently patient and wait, does the activity stop (say in 5-10 minute)? d) What happens if you run "tail -f /var/log/messages" as root ? Lots of messages here could cause disk activity. I'm sure other folks with have other ideas, but that's my 2cents, devalued for inflation. HTH, Andy - -- Andy Stewart, Founder Worcester Linux Users' Group (http://www.wlug.org) Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group (http://linux.meetup.com/393) Amateur Radio: KB1OIQ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFG6wBfHl0iXDssISsRAmW4AJsF4LyFbM4xr0iZbSZX4aEFkSrh8gCfbTpP /Cqxnygs6eR/rWTvB5/euKs= =Gr5U -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- _______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug

Sept. 14, 2007

Re: [Wlug] System diagnostics

by Jeff Moyer

Andy Stewart <andystewart(a)comcast.net> writes: > Michael Long wrote: >> Hi All, >> >> I just install Ubuntu 6.06 lts. With the box up and running it appears >> that there is disk activity because the light on the case is active. >> However running top shows the box is basically idle (CPU < 1%) and "ps >> aux" shows nothing unusual. I do not claim to be a sys admin however so >> I may not be interpreting things correctly. The fans seem to be working >> harder than before as well. >> >> What command line tools should I be looking at determine the health of >> the machine and drives. The os is on an IDE drive and I have a raid >> (MegaRAID) for the other drive. >> >> I know this is a bit vague but I am not sure where to start. I have been >> using opensuse but now I do not have x or the other tools that come >> bundled with kde. >> >> Thanks, >> Mike > > HI Mike, > > Here's what I would try: > > a) Are you sure that the disk activity light on the case is properly > wired to your MB? Is the light constantly on, or does it flicker? > > b) unplug the network cable to insure that the disk activity isn't > caused by something on the network > > c) If you are sufficiently patient and wait, does the activity stop (say > in 5-10 minute)? > > d) What happens if you run "tail -f /var/log/messages" as root ? Lots > of messages here could cause disk activity. > > I'm sure other folks with have other ideas, but that's my 2cents, > devalued for inflation. vmstat 1 check the block in/out swap in/out columns. blktrace can be used to get the source of I/Os. -Jeff

Sept. 14, 2007

Re: [Wlug] System diagnostics

by Andy Stewart

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Michael Long wrote: > Hi All, > > I just install Ubuntu 6.06 lts. With the box up and running it appears > that there is disk activity because the light on the case is active. > However running top shows the box is basically idle (CPU < 1%) and "ps > aux" shows nothing unusual. I do not claim to be a sys admin however so > I may not be interpreting things correctly. The fans seem to be working > harder than before as well. > > What command line tools should I be looking at determine the health of > the machine and drives. The os is on an IDE drive and I have a raid > (MegaRAID) for the other drive. > > I know this is a bit vague but I am not sure where to start. I have been > using opensuse but now I do not have x or the other tools that come > bundled with kde. > > Thanks, > Mike HI Mike, Here's what I would try: a) Are you sure that the disk activity light on the case is properly wired to your MB? Is the light constantly on, or does it flicker? b) unplug the network cable to insure that the disk activity isn't caused by something on the network c) If you are sufficiently patient and wait, does the activity stop (say in 5-10 minute)? d) What happens if you run "tail -f /var/log/messages" as root ? Lots of messages here could cause disk activity. I'm sure other folks with have other ideas, but that's my 2cents, devalued for inflation. HTH, Andy - -- Andy Stewart, Founder Worcester Linux Users' Group (http://www.wlug.org) Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group (http://linux.meetup.com/393) Amateur Radio: KB1OIQ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFG6wBfHl0iXDssISsRAmW4AJsF4LyFbM4xr0iZbSZX4aEFkSrh8gCfbTpP /Cqxnygs6eR/rWTvB5/euKs= =Gr5U -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Sept. 14, 2007

System diagnostics

by Michael Long

Hi All, I just install Ubuntu 6.06 lts. With the box up and running it appears that there is disk activity because the light on the case is active. However running top shows the box is basically idle (CPU < 1%) and "ps aux" shows nothing unusual. I do not claim to be a sys admin however so I may not be interpreting things correctly. The fans seem to be working harder than before as well. What command line tools should I be looking at determine the health of the machine and drives. The os is on an IDE drive and I have a raid (MegaRAID) for the other drive. I know this is a bit vague but I am not sure where to start. I have been using opensuse but now I do not have x or the other tools that come bundled with kde. Thanks, Mike

Sept. 14, 2007

Re: [Wlug] apcupsd talk by Doug Mildram

by Andre Lehovich

--- Andy Stewart <andystewart(a)comcast.net> wrote: > I had mentioned in the meeting that I was able to view the UPS data via > a GUI on my web browser. I am running version 3.12.4 of apcupsd, and in > the src/cgi directory is a file called upsstats.cgi. That's the magic > file to which I point my browser to set the GUI type display. On my Ubuntu workstation, I installed apcupsd and then spent five minutes tweaking the config files. There's a GUI thing that automatically appeared in the GNOME notification area, showing how much power is remaining. Thanks Doug! --Andre ____________________________________________________________________________________ Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/

Sept. 13, 2007

apcupsd talk by Doug Mildram

by Andy Stewart

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 HI gang, At our most recent WLUG meeting, Doug Mildram gave us a nice demo of his APC Smart UPS 620 which was connected to a Linux laptop running apcupsd and also a Windows laptop running the same free software. I had mentioned in the meeting that I was able to view the UPS data via a GUI on my web browser. I am running version 3.12.4 of apcupsd, and in the src/cgi directory is a file called upsstats.cgi. That's the magic file to which I point my browser to set the GUI type display. Thanks, Doug, for giving the talk on short notice. We enjoyed it! Later, Andy - -- Andy Stewart, Founder Worcester Linux Users' Group (http://www.wlug.org) Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group (http://linux.meetup.com/393) Amateur Radio: KB1OIQ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFG6LhrHl0iXDssISsRAiAxAJ98/On8bhPVftBOA2GzFXgvI1oOfwCffW+/ 5Ocxju9/JvdyJpBtw0X4i3A= =+8Qy -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Sept. 13, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Web hosting

by Stephen Daukas

Over the past n years, I have gone from a few RH boxes sitting on the ping-pong table in the basement running sendmail, apache, dns, etc., all the way to paying XO $20 a month for everything. While running what amounted to my own "ISP" was fun for a while, not running one turns out to be even more fun! ;-) Not having to pay the additional fees for static IP / bandwidth, etc., more than compensates for paying XO. But... If you've got a personal connection for a colo type setup and need/want to be able to do whatever you want without having to think about how a provider's rules might constrain you, then that's the way to go. Most providers have reasonably priced options for everything up to e-commerce, and you don't have to worry about backup, powerfail, redundant high-speed connections, etc., etc., but you have to play by their rules... On another note... I'm not as happy with XO as I once was... Has anyone looked at Google's hosting? Steve On 9/12/07, Jared Greenwald <greenwaldjared(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > What about godaddy or something like that? I've been thinking about > setting up a server at home here, but not sure if I should just go > with a hosted solution or not... > > -Jared > > On 9/12/07, Aaron Haviland <orion(a)parsed.net> wrote: > > Jamie Guinan wrote, on Sep 11, 2007 at 22:32 EDT: > > > > > > I ended up doing a (rather pricey) full colo, but if I had gone > > > with shared hosting, these guys[1] looked interesting, > > > > > > http://linode.com/ > > > > > > -Jamie > > > > > > [1] When I read about it, I got the impression that it is mostly > > > one rather smart dude behind it. > > > > Caker *is* a smart dude. Now he has two employees helping him. > > > > I've been with them since their first month of public operation. I think > > I'm customer #7 or somesuch. Through periodic upgrades that they give > > out, what was once a Linode 128 is now a Linode 600 (the number refers > > to the amount of RAM in the plan). (i.e., they upgrade your plan as > > their capacity increases, instead of making you pay more for it. We've > > already had two upgrades this year.) > > > > It's all based on UserMode Linux. > > > > Stop by #linode on irc.oftc.net. Tell 'em guinea-pig sent ya' :) > > > > -- > > Aaron Haviland > > 34 Wayne Ave, Dudley, MA home: [508] 943 - 7974 > > > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- > > Version: GnuPG v1.4.6 (GNU/Linux) > > > > iD8DBQFG52WiNL5skATtxLERArFMAJ90N5+mUIfzww0EqTXUFl4JeNxyzgCg2j9t > > 56Ck0k+oIixZoCA/QsMa2v8= > > =Tl++ > > -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Wlug mailing list > > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > -- Stephen C. Daukas Engineer, Geoscientist, Environmental Analyst ________________________________________________ - Please, before printing, think about the environment -

Sept. 12, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Web hosting

by Jared Greenwald

What about godaddy or something like that? I've been thinking about setting up a server at home here, but not sure if I should just go with a hosted solution or not... -Jared On 9/12/07, Aaron Haviland <orion(a)parsed.net> wrote: > Jamie Guinan wrote, on Sep 11, 2007 at 22:32 EDT: > > > > I ended up doing a (rather pricey) full colo, but if I had gone > > with shared hosting, these guys[1] looked interesting, > > > > http://linode.com/ > > > > -Jamie > > > > [1] When I read about it, I got the impression that it is mostly > > one rather smart dude behind it. > > Caker *is* a smart dude. Now he has two employees helping him. > > I've been with them since their first month of public operation. I think > I'm customer #7 or somesuch. Through periodic upgrades that they give > out, what was once a Linode 128 is now a Linode 600 (the number refers > to the amount of RAM in the plan). (i.e., they upgrade your plan as > their capacity increases, instead of making you pay more for it. We've > already had two upgrades this year.) > > It's all based on UserMode Linux. > > Stop by #linode on irc.oftc.net. Tell 'em guinea-pig sent ya' :) > > -- > Aaron Haviland > 34 Wayne Ave, Dudley, MA home: [508] 943 - 7974 > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- > Version: GnuPG v1.4.6 (GNU/Linux) > > iD8DBQFG52WiNL5skATtxLERArFMAJ90N5+mUIfzww0EqTXUFl4JeNxyzgCg2j9t > 56Ck0k+oIixZoCA/QsMa2v8= > =Tl++ > -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > >

Sept. 12, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Web hosting

by Aaron Haviland

Jamie Guinan wrote, on Sep 11, 2007 at 22:32 EDT: > > I ended up doing a (rather pricey) full colo, but if I had gone > with shared hosting, these guys[1] looked interesting, > > http://linode.com/ > > -Jamie > > [1] When I read about it, I got the impression that it is mostly > one rather smart dude behind it. Caker *is* a smart dude. Now he has two employees helping him. I've been with them since their first month of public operation. I think I'm customer #7 or somesuch. Through periodic upgrades that they give out, what was once a Linode 128 is now a Linode 600 (the number refers to the amount of RAM in the plan). (i.e., they upgrade your plan as their capacity increases, instead of making you pay more for it. We've already had two upgrades this year.) It's all based on UserMode Linux. Stop by #linode on irc.oftc.net. Tell 'em guinea-pig sent ya' :) -- Aaron Haviland 34 Wayne Ave, Dudley, MA home: [508] 943 - 7974

Sept. 12, 2007

Re: [Wlug] Web hosting

by Jamie Guinan

I ended up doing a (rather pricey) full colo, but if I had gone with shared hosting, these guys[1] looked interesting, http://linode.com/ -Jamie [1] When I read about it, I got the impression that it is mostly one rather smart dude behind it. On Tue, 11 Sep 2007, Mike Leo wrote: > I know this question has gone around a few times, but I don't keep all the = > emails i get!=0A=0AAnyway, i host a weak little personal web site out of my= > house and was looking into hosting companies.=0A=0ANot quite sure how it w= > orks, if I want linux/mysql/wordpress. I need more than just a place to ho= > ld my index.html.=0A=0AAre there companies that give me total control over = > a "server" on the internet? I say "server" 'cause my guess would be a virt= > ual machine I could control remotely.=0A=0AAny advise would be greatly appr= > eciated.=0A=0AMike=0A=0A

Sept. 12, 2007