How can I monitor system resources (CPU, RAM) in real-time?

[Joel Holland]

I am desperately looking for the simplest thing: The ability to monitor system resource utilization in real time. Load average provided in System Statistics does absolutely nothing for me--I need to see usage as a percentage of available CPU.

Does anyone know of a way to do this through plesk, or through a plesk add-on? If not, do you know of another server-side solution for Linux that would provide this type of functionality?

This is one of those rare moments when I must say that Windows Server beats Linux hands down in this area. I wish I could just pull up a task manager and watch real-time charts on a monitor throughout the day!

Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

- Joel

 

[Linulex]

windows doesnt beat linux. windows has 1 (one) tool that you can click open and then you start hoping it will work.

Linux has a zillion tools. But you have to install and configure them yourself. On the other hand, you get the source so you always know it will work, and if it doesnt you know who to blame: yourself.

tools that can monitor over time and create pretty graphs are:
mrtg
rrd tool
cacti
munin

tool to monitor it in real time:
top

load average DOES give you the percentage available cpu. A good place to start understanding load average is http://www.teamquest.com/resources/gunther/display/5/index.htm

sorry for the flame, but i cant stand it when people say that windows is better for reason X when reason X only shows their lack of linux knowledge

Linux is learning ... windows is clicking