[NTLUG:Discuss] what do the uptime load average numbers mean?

[Richard Geoffrion]

17:18:56 up 171 days,  1:36,  4 users,  load average: 3.40, 3.21, 2.38


In the above example, what do 3.40, 3.21, and 2.38 signify?  Is that CPU
load or an overall precentage load?  If so, they system is running slower
than it's 3% use can account for.

Well a google search just turned up  (
http://www.utexas.edu/cc/faqs/unix/Load-average.html ) which does state that
it IS the CPU utilization.  I still can't see why a machine with 3% use
would be so slow!!!  Is there's a utility that combines disk/cpu/and other
IO into an all-around system usage percentage?

--
/dev/rtcg
using QuoteFix with my MSOE client to get trully compliant .sigs! :)