interpreting top

[richard.pieri-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org (Richard Pieri)]

On May 14, 2010, at 3:47 PM, Doug wrote:
> 
> the Mem: line as a warning marker if it remains so high when times are
> calm.  Can I/should I do anything?

Yes.  Look at what vmstat and iostat tell you about the system.  top gives you a high-level overview of a system's current state.  vmstat and iostat, on the other hand, tell you what the system is actually doing.

--Rich P.