Iostat vs vmstat
Iostat vs vmstat is typically caused by a normal system behavior worth understanding to distinguish it from real problems. Here is what to look for and what to do about it.
Evidence to look for
iostat focuses on disk device throughput and latency
vmstat shows system-wide CPU, memory, and IO summary
iostat -x gives per-device utilization and await
What it usually means
This is generally normal system behavior. Understanding it helps you avoid false alarms and focus on real issues when they arise.
What to do next
- 1start with vmstat for a quick system overview
- 2use iostat -x when you suspect disk bottlenecks
- 3combine both to distinguish CPU-bound from IO-bound
See what's causing your CPU
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