How to Monitor System Resource Allocation

How to Monitor System Resource Allocation

Need to monitor system resource allocation on your Linux server? Want to track resource usage, monitor resource distribution, and detect resource imbalances? This guide shows you how to monitor resource allocation using built-in commands and automated monitoring with Zuzia.app.

For comprehensive resource monitoring strategies, see Server Resource Monitoring Complete Guide. For troubleshooting resource issues, see System Resource Quota Exhaustion.

Why Monitoring Resource Allocation Matters

Resource allocation determines how system resources are distributed. When resources are allocated inefficiently, some processes can be starved while others waste resources, system performance can degrade, and resource utilization can be suboptimal. Monitoring resource allocation helps you track resource usage, detect resource imbalances, optimize resource distribution, and maintain efficient resource utilization.

Method 1: Monitor CPU Allocation

Monitor CPU allocation to track CPU usage distribution:

Track CPU Usage

# View CPU usage by process
ps aux --sort=-%cpu | head -10

# View CPU usage by user
ps aux | awk '{cpu[$1]+=$3} END {for (u in cpu) print u, cpu[u] "%"}'

# Monitor CPU allocation
top -bn1 | grep "Cpu(s)"

# View per-core CPU usage
mpstat -P ALL 1 5

Analyze CPU Distribution

# Check CPU load distribution
uptime

# View CPU usage patterns
sar -u 1 10

# Analyze CPU allocation trends
ps aux | awk '{cpu[$1]+=$3} END {for (u in cpu) print u, cpu[u] "%"}' | sort -k2 -rn

Method 2: Monitor Memory Allocation

Monitor memory allocation to track memory usage distribution:

Track Memory Usage

# View memory usage by process
ps aux --sort=-%mem | head -10

# View memory usage by user
ps aux | awk '{mem[$1]+=$6} END {for (u in mem) print u, mem[u]/1024 "MB"}'

# Monitor memory allocation
free -m

# View memory usage details
cat /proc/meminfo

Analyze Memory Distribution

# Check memory allocation patterns
free -m | awk 'NR==2{printf "Used: %.2f%%, Free: %.2f%%\n", $3*100/$2, $4*100/$2}'

# View memory usage trends
sar -r 1 10

# Analyze memory allocation by user
ps aux | awk '{mem[$1]+=$6} END {for (u in mem) print u, mem[u]/1024 "MB"}' | sort -k2 -rn

Method 3: Monitor Disk I/O Allocation

Monitor disk I/O allocation to track disk usage distribution:

Track Disk I/O Usage

# View disk I/O by process
iotop -o

# Monitor disk I/O allocation
iostat -x 1 5

# View disk I/O statistics
cat /proc/diskstats | grep sda

# Check disk I/O patterns
sar -d 1 10

Analyze Disk I/O Distribution

# Check disk I/O allocation
iostat -x 1 5 | awk '/Device/ {getline; print $10, $11}'

# View disk I/O trends
sar -d 1 10

# Analyze disk I/O by device
iostat -x 1 5 | grep -E "sda|sdb"

Method 4: Automated Resource Allocation Monitoring with Zuzia.app

While manual resource allocation checks work for analysis, production Linux servers require automated resource allocation monitoring that continuously tracks resource usage, monitors resource distribution, and alerts you when resource imbalances occur.

How Zuzia.app Resource Allocation Monitoring Works

Zuzia.app automatically monitors resource allocation through continuous metric collection and analysis. The platform tracks resource usage, monitors resource distribution, detects resource imbalances, and sends alerts when resource allocation issues occur.

Setting Up Resource Allocation Monitoring

1. Add Scheduled Task for CPU Allocation

   • Command: ps aux --sort=-%cpu | head -10
   • Frequency: Every 5 minutes
   • Alert when: CPU allocation imbalances detected

2. Configure Memory Allocation Monitoring

   • Command: ps aux | awk '{mem[$1]+=$6} END {for (u in mem) print u, mem[u]/1024 "MB"}'
   • Frequency: Every 5 minutes
   • Alert when: Memory allocation imbalances detected

3. Set Up Disk I/O Allocation Monitoring

   • Command: iostat -x 1 5 | awk '/Device/ {getline; print $10, $11}'
   • Frequency: Every 10 minutes
   • Alert when: Disk I/O allocation issues detected

Custom Resource Allocation Monitoring Commands

Add these commands as scheduled tasks:

# Monitor CPU allocation
ps aux --sort=-%cpu | head -10

# Monitor memory allocation
ps aux | awk '{mem[$1]+=$6} END {for (u in mem) print u, mem[u]/1024 "MB"}'

# Monitor disk I/O allocation
iostat -x 1 5

# Track resource distribution
ps aux | awk '{mem[$1]+=$6; cpu[$1]+=$3} END {for (u in mem) print u, mem[u]/1024 "MB", cpu[u] "%"}'

Best Practices

1. Monitor Resource Allocation Continuously

Use Zuzia.app for continuous resource allocation monitoring. Set up alerts before resource issues become critical. Review resource allocation regularly.

2. Detect Resource Imbalances

Identify resource imbalances. Track resource distribution. Optimize resource allocation. Maintain efficient resource utilization.

3. Track Resource Trends

Monitor resource allocation over time. Track resource usage patterns. Identify resource allocation trends. Plan resource optimization.

Troubleshooting

Resource Imbalances Detected

When resource imbalances are detected:

1. Review resource allocation: ps aux --sort=-%cpu | head -10
2. Identify resource-heavy processes
3. Optimize resource allocation
4. Verify resource distribution improved

Resource Allocation Issues

When resource allocation issues occur:

1. Check resource usage: free -m && top -bn1
2. Review resource distribution: ps aux | awk '{mem[$1]+=$6} END {for (u in mem) print u, mem[u]/1024 "MB"}'
3. Optimize resource allocation
4. Monitor resource allocation trends

FAQ

Related guides, recipes, and problems

• Related guides

  • Server Resource Monitoring Complete Guide
  • System Resource Limits and Quotas Monitoring Guide

• Related recipes

  • Check System Resource Quota Usage
  • Monitor System Performance Baseline Deviation

• Related problems

  • System Resource Quota Exhaustion
  • High CPU Usage Server