Servers are almost inseparable from any IT infrastructure. Linux is the most compatible, open source operating system for servers because of its flexibility, consistency, and security. Most Linux servers are set up with any of these variants of Linux OS: Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, CentOS, Suse Linux Enterprise Server (SLES), or Ubuntu.
Basic troubleshooting of a Linux server’s primary metrics can be easily done using the built-in commands. But in a business environment, monitoring every layer of a Linux server is essential to ensure proper functioning of all the associated devices. Learn how effective monitoring of Linux servers helps improve your network health and performance.
Why is Linux server monitoring important?
A Linux server monitor ensures proper functioning of all the Linux servers in the network environment. A potent server monitor performs periodic accessibility tests to check if the server is up and active.
By monitoring Linux servers continuously, key metrics like CPU, memory, availability, and response time are kept in check. This helps detect performance bottlenecks by tracking the real-time status of the network and notifying the network administrator before the issues reach the end user.
Not just that, proper monitoring of servers helps you understand resource utilization better. A good server monitoring tool should be equipped to saturate all monitoring needs and enhance security to the servers.
Key performance metrics to look for while monitoring Linux servers
From availability to load average, keeping tabs on critical metrics will ensure your operations run smoothly. Here are a few metrics to monitor in Linux servers.
| Availability of Linux servers | One of the basic metrics due to its direct impact on customer satisfaction—the server must be available and operational for the intended processes to be executed. |
| Linux server’s response time | The time taken by a data packet to travel from a source to a destination device. A delay in response time means a lag in the server performance. |
| CPU utilization for Linux servers | A prime performance metric to consider when the server begins to show red flags. Periodic monitoring helps resolve unplanned slowdowns, preventing bad server performance. |
| Memory utilization for Linux servers | Understand the percent of memory used and ensure effective reallocation. In a memory overflow, the servers tend to freeze, lowering the server’s performance. |
| CPU load in Linux servers | The number of operations running or waiting to be executed in any given moment. With many operations in line, server performance can dip. |
| Load average in Linux servers | The average of the number of operations in queue and the current operations being executed. As load numbers can vary, knowing the load average helps manage resource utilization of the server. |
| Linux server’s disk usage | Disk usage is the portion of disk being used by your device, letting you know the remaining amount of disk space available. If you had guessed monitoring disk usage helps preserve the hardware health, you were right! |
OpManager: Your reliable Linux server monitoring tool
OpManager is an integrated network monitoring solution that offers a holistic approach to monitoring and managing Linux servers. It helps instantly discover and monitor your Linux-based servers. OpManager uses CLI to fetch the data from the Linux server to monitor performance metrics like CPU, memory, and more. Enable Telnet or SSH on the server and start monitoring right away. Set multi-level thresholds and identify breaches with the help of smart, color-coded notifications. OpManager’s Linux server monitoring dashboard helps you intelligently organize widgets and see the critical metrics for your network.
Also read: More on Linux server monitoring
Schedule a live demo or download a 30-day, free trial and monitor your Linux servers like a pro today!
