[OT] How to understand what cause Load Machine increase

[Hugo van der Kooij]

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:45:36 +0200, "Marcello Anderlini"
<m.anderlini at database.it> wrote:
> Hello guys, 
> I've a weird problem with my system. Some time, and I still not know
why,my
> load machine average increase rapidly 
> I normal use the load machine average is between 10 and 15. but sometime
> the
> load increase and reach 35 or 36. when this appen all the system became
> slow
> and also server pop3 (dovecot) had timeout.

Well the obvious tool I would use is top so see what processes are running
and taking up resources.
My guess is that the machine lacks sufficient RAM so when you need a bit
more memory you must swap a lot.

I think you also must considere to split your server into a scanner
machine and a server holding the mail storage that will handle the clients
(POP3 I assume from your message if the load is increased.

On the other hand is might just be a storm of POP3 clients and not be a
MailScanner issue at all.

The load factor in itself is a very poor way of telling wether your system
is too busy.

Hugo.

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