Load averages are a simple means of indicating how hard the Apache web server is working. These numbers are recorded every 5 minutes and are the averages taken over the previous 1, 5 and 15 minutes. There are many factors that can affect the performance of a server at any given moment. Generally speaking, the server is relaxing at a load of 0.0, a jog is anything under 1.0, a training run is under 2.0 and a flat out race is under 4.0. Above 4.0, the system is under duress.

Quick spikes of activity up to 4.0 and beyond are not indicative of a problem if the values return to lower levels after a short period. Spikes can indicate common things such as server maintenance for backups or upgrades, database activity involving complicated queries, or a variety of actions along those lines. Also, malicious attacks against the server can show extremely high loads into the 100's. In those situations, the server will not be responding to much of anything.

The system administrator is automatically notified each time the load goes over 1.0. If this is a common occurrence there are several things that can be done to alleviate the situation, from system tuning to addition of RAM, disk upgrades, processor upgrades, or a complete system replacement.