How to Use SARchart: Your Guide to System Activity Report Visualization

Sep 8, 2023 | Programming

SARchart is an innovative online application designed to help you visualize Linux server performance through graphical representation of SAR (System Activity Report) data. This user-friendly tool is perfect for system administrators and anyone interested in monitoring server performance through insightful graphs. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to use SARchart effectively, including troubleshooting tips if anything goes amiss.

What is SARchart?

SARchart is a dynamic online tool that simplifies viewing Linux server performance data by converting SAR output into visually appealing charts. It helps you track various system metrics, including CPU usage, memory metrics, load averages, and much more.

Key Features of SARchart

  • Data Privacy: Runs entirely in your browser—no data is transmitted to a server.
  • Impressive Visualization: Generate striking charts and zoom in/out for a clearer view.
  • Multi-Day Support: Analyze performance over a single day or multiple days.
  • Chart Export: Download charts for further analysis outside the tool.

System Compatibility

SARchart supports a range of operating systems, including:

  • Linux (RHEL, SUSE, Ubuntu)
  • Solaris
  • AIX

How to Use SARchart

The following steps will guide you through generating SAR graphs:

  1. Create a SAR output text file from your Unix system:
    • For Linux:
      sar -A -f var/logs/sa/19 > tmp_sa19_$(hostname).txt
    • For AIX:
      sar -A -f var/adm/sa/23 > tmp_sa23_$(uname -n).txt
    • For Solaris:
      sar -A -f var/log/sysstat/sa/23 > tmp_sa23_$(uname -n).txt
  2. Download the SAR text file to your desktop using SCP software like WinSCP or pscp:
    • Example command:
      pscp suresh@hostname:143:tmp_sa19_hostname143.txt .
  3. Upload the SAR text file:
    • Go to SARchart and upload your file by dragging and dropping it into the upload section.
  4. View the created charts!

    You’re all set to explore your server’s performance visually!

How to Run SARchart Offline

If you prefer to run SARchart offline, follow these steps:

  1. Clone or download the repository.
  2. Run npm install to install dependencies.
  3. Execute npm start or npm run dev to launch the tool on port 3000. Visit http://localhost:3000 in your browser.

How to Run SARchart with Docker

To use SARchart in a Docker container, use the following commands:

  1. Clone or download the repository.
  2. Build the Docker image:
    docker build -t sarchart .
  3. Run the container:
    docker run -dp 3000:3000 sarchart
  4. If you need terminal access:
    docker run -it sarchart bash
  5. Access the site at http://docker-default-machine-ip:3000.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter issues while using SARchart, here are some troubleshooting ideas:

  • Ensure that you have the right permissions to access the SAR files.
  • Check that you are on a supported operating system.
  • If the charts do not render, try refreshing the browser or clearing the cache.
  • If issues persist, review the console for error messages.

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Conclusion

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.

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