In looking for a host

Whats is a good server load>?

It depends on the machine setup. For a single cpu, I would personally like it below 1 and for a dual cpu machine, below 2.

Pretty much spot on, generally the more you pay the lower the loads you will receive as the host does not need to squeeze as many accounts onto a server to make a profit.

below. 10
or below .30

Below either of them is great :)

Edit: Keep in mind the lower the number the better it is :)

If load is high you need to see if there is decreased performance. Sometimes loads do go above 1 or 2 but no performance decrease is noted.

But dont just base your decision on server load. You could have a server running 0.00 hosted at a crappy DC which is out performed by a server running 2.00 at a quality provider.

Usually the higher the load the less stable the system.

And of course if the load spirals too high, services will start failing.

y cannot linux simply display the % cpu usage like windows does and instead use some weird a$$ number "load" which means nothing sometimes becuz of different hardware setup??

Linux does have the ability to display cpu usage.

Server loads take into account other things which mean more than just CPU usage... eg. RAM usage.

Originally posted by sprintserve
Linux does have the ability to display cpu usage.

:rolleyes: do you know how to explain it to him/her?

In any case check out the following commands:

top
sar
iostat

Top is the most commonly used, but it takes up a lot of system resources itself, sar is a great way to see idle CPU usage over the last 24 hours, and iostat gives you a quick glance at current CPU and device output speeds.

The last two require the following package (I'm not sure what distro's install it by default if any):

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/sebastien.godard/

Just because I know doesn't oblige me to explain :)

Then don't reply to the thread. Either be helpful, or don't reply at all.

If you can't read, please don't reply either. I replied to the thread starter. Someone else mentions that linux doesn't display cpu usage. I clarified that it can be done. The person never asked for how to do it. I answered according to what's being asked. I don't see anything wrong with answering according to what's asked. It's your perogative to provide extra information beyond what's asked.

I don't wish to get into a flame war, so that's all I am going to say.

I'm perfectly capable of reading, I just suggested for future reference, that if you are going to reply to a post, do so with an actual answer.

I do think it's an actual answer. :)