Apache - GET files / High CPU Usage

Server Config
1

I recently purchased a VPS with 2GHz CPU, 4GB RAM, I use CMS and try to optimize the code in perfect mode, My problem is a lot of cpu usage of Apache GET, sometimes GET an image or JS or CSS consume more that 3% of cpu, How can I reduce that? what’s wrong with this?
When I have more that 100 visitor at the same time my cpu usage get to highest 90%
here is my Apache Status while the cpu usage and load is high:
Your kind advices is highly appreciated:

Server Version: Apache/2.2.17 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.2.17 OpenSSL/0.9.8e-fips-rhel5 mod_auth_passthrough/2.1 mod_bwlimited/1.4 FrontPage/5.0.2.2635 PHP/5.2.9 mod_perl/2.0.4 Perl/v5.8.8
Server Built: Mar 10 2011 11:22:30

Current Time: Sunday, 13-Mar-2011 18:47:55 IRST
Restart Time: Sunday, 13-Mar-2011 18:37:42 IRST
Parent Server Generation: 1
Server uptime: 10 minutes 13 seconds
Total accesses: 2472 - Total Traffic: 12.6 MB
CPU Usage: u59.17 s8.81 cu0 cs0 - 11.1% CPU load
4.03 requests/sec - 21.1 kB/second - 5.2 kB/request
53 requests currently being processed, 10 idle workers

GWWCW__WWKWWWKWKGGWKWWRWKW_RRGWWWWW_RWWWW_RKK_KC_W_WWW__KKWKWKC.
…
…

Scoreboard Key:
“_” Waiting for Connection, “S” Starting up, “R” Reading Request,
“W” Sending Reply, “K” Keepalive (read), “D” DNS Lookup,
“C” Closing connection, “L” Logging, “G” Gracefully finishing,
“I” Idle cleanup of worker, “.” Open slot with no current process

Srv PID Acc M CPU SS Req Conn Child Slot Client VHost Request
0-0 20080 0/22/54 G 3.98 324 0 0.0 0.07 0.24 178.252.142.1 zoomit.ir GET /images/stories/news/IT_news/japan-earthquick.jpg HTTP/1.1
1-1 19577 1/1/116 W 1.93 78 0 0.0 0.00 0.53 86.57.52.198 zoomit.ir GET /index.php?start=33 HTTP/1.1
2-1 28508 0/0/110 W 3.71 5 0 0.0 0.00 0.75 90.56.202.118 zoomit.ir OPTIONS /index.php?tmpl=component&option=com_jacomment&view=com
3-1 28374 2/2/99 C 0.00 1 0 0.6 0.00 0.54 78.109.196.10 zoomit.ir GET /components/com_k2/images/social/delicious_16.png HTTP/1.1
4-1 19769 0/2/118 W 2.62 47 0 0.0 0.00 0.77 205.185.113.185 zoomit.ir GET /user HTTP/1.1
5-1 7647 0/29/78 _ 3.01 0 0 0.0 0.05 0.36 65.49.14.58 zoomit.ir GET /components/com_jomcomment/templates/default/images/topshad
6-1 27855 0/6/143 _ 0.00 0 1 0.0 0.03 0.49 188.158.139.254 zoomit.ir GET /templates/rt_tachyon_j15/images/header/dark/header-bottom.
7-1 5686 1/11/77 W 2.10 78 0 0.0 0.07 0.36 86.57.52.198 zoomit.ir GET /it-news/internet-network/item/478-microsoft-counts-down-to
8-1 3154 0/14/85 W 3.49 171 0 0.0 0.04 0.32 85.185.82.97 zoomit.ir GET /images/stories/news/Black-V20.jpg HTTP/1.1
9-1 19833 2/4/44 K 3.28 1 0 2.9 0.00 0.19 85.185.82.97 zoomit.ir GET /media/k2/items/cache/c1a11e28afb03c9d81c096faa0a5ce8e_S.jp
10-1 19983 2/2/86 W 3.10 1 0 0.0 0.00 0.46 205.185.113.185 zoomit.ir GET /buying-guide HTTP/1.1
11-1 3211 0/11/70 W 0.49 109 0 0.0 0.15 0.60 86.57.52.198 zoomit.ir GET /index.php?start=44 HTTP/1.1
12-1 15650 0/1/66 W 0.00 144 0 0.0 0.00 0.33 91.99.145.83 zoomit.ir GET /images/stories/news/IT_news/japan-earthquick.jpg HTTP/1.1
13-1 19985 3/11/68 K 0.18 2 0 23.2 0.07 0.41 188.158.139.254 zoomit.ir GET /templates/rt_tachyon_j15/images/header/dark/menu-active.pn
14-1 9432 0/0/74 W 0.00 181 0 0.0 0.00 0.44 2.179.82.111 zoomit.ir GET /media/k2/items/cache/4fcf9d660236ddb62c8456017158615a_Gene
15-1 20043 3/3/56 K 2.89 1 206 23.5 0.02 0.24 86.57.52.198 zoomit.ir GET /media/k2/items/cache/0fcccca5b510e5bb86a94045046d252d_S.jp
16-0 10015 5/9/24 G 0.31 449 0 46.9 0.06 0.13 46.100.169.100 zoomit.ir GET /media/system/js/mootools.js HTTP/1.1
17-0 30673 0/3/18 G 1.10 259 0 0.0 0.01 0.15 85.198.19.210 zoomit.ir GET /media/k2/items/cache/218fa54275e0e31c37b4e5091d9112ba_L.jp
18-1 20052 2/2/29 W 0.00 107 0 77.4 0.08 0.23 86.57.52.198 zoomit.ir GET /index.php?start=99 HTTP/1.1
19-1 28528 1/1/62 K 0.00 0 4512 0.5 0.00 0.41 65.49.14.58 zoomit.ir GET /templates/rt_tachyon_j15/images/accents/orange/body-rokinp
20-1 20324 2/5/39 W 1.75 0 0 7.2 0.01 0.12 205.185.113.185 zoomit.ir GET /user/register-login-logout HTTP/1.1
21-1 9455 0/12/36 W 3.15 95 0 0.0 0.04 0.18 2.179.82.111 zoomit.ir GET /articles/video-audio/television/item/31-%D8%AD%D9%82%D8%A7
22-1 2041 0/20/98 R 0.33 158 82 0.0 0.11 0.33 ? ? …reading…
23-1 24559 0/0/62 W 0.47 69 0 0.0 0.00 0.38 66.249.72.228 zoomit.ir GET /articles/hardware-news/hardware-others/item/index.php?opti
24-1 27864 2/4/114 K 0.00 2 42 0.6 0.00 0.52 65.49.14.58 zoomit.ir GET /templates/rt_tachyon_j15/images/body/module-gradient2.png
25-1 20337 0/6/86 W 1.78 11 0 0.0 0.04 0.27 79.127.30.234 zoomit.ir GET /it-news/item/486-incredible-japan-earthquick-skycraft HTTP
26-1 5572 0/32/78 _ 0.69 0 1 0.0 0.17 0.35 188.158.139.254 zoomit.ir GET /templates/rt_tachyon_j15/images/accents/blue/pill-r.png HT
27-1 9457 0/2/10 R 1.43 159 0 0.0 0.00 0.05 ? ? …reading…
28-1 5600 0/1/36 R 0.00 158 54170 0.0 0.03 0.32 ? ? …reading…
29-0 14274 0/6/34 G 0.28 322 0 0.0 0.03 0.24 85.198.19.210 zoomit.ir GET /images/stories/news/tv/lg2011table-1l.jpg HTTP/1.1
30-1 9458 1/13/38 W 3.02 44 0 21.2 0.06 0.19 95.38.50.71 zoomit.ir GET /media/system/js/mootools.js HTTP/1.1
31-1 20339 1/1/54 W 2.88 1 0 16.4 0.02 0.32 86.57.52.198 zoomit.ir GET /index.php?start=66 HTTP/1.1
32-1 5612 1/2/4 W 0.00 183 0 0.0 0.02 0.02 91.99.189.84 zoomit.ir GET /media/system/js/mootools.js HTTP/1.1
33-1 28529 0/0/7 W 0.00 1 0 0.0 0.00 0.05 209.85.224.91 zoomit.ir GET /home?format=feed HTTP/1.1
34-1 15696 3/10/15 W 1.73 102 0 1.8 0.04 0.06 86.57.52.198 zoomit.ir GET /index.php?start=88 HTTP/1.1
35-1 20340 0/7/24 _ 0.23 0 1 0.0 0.07 0.11 188.158.139.254 zoomit.ir GET /media/k2/items/cache/051a22dde3b372e5c058fbc303756df4_L.jp
36-1 5650 0/8/9 R 0.09 160 232 0.0 0.07 0.09 ? ? …reading…
37-1 20419 0/5/10 W 0.15 10 0 0.0 0.02 0.03 205.185.113.185 zoomit.ir GET /user/groups HTTP/1.1
38-1 15699 14/30/36 W 3.78 3 0 156.2 0.18 0.20 86.57.52.198 zoomit.ir GET /index.php?option=com_jomcomment&no_html=1&task=img&jc_sid=
39-1 28533 0/0/32 W 4.04 1 0 0.0 0.00 0.05 94.183.58.254 zoomit.ir GET /index2.php?option=com_jomcomment&task=userinfo&no_html=1 H
40-1 20425 0/3/26 W 0.00 33 0 0.0 0.04 0.22 109.162.139.198 zoomit.ir GET /it-news/item/486-incredible-japan-earthquick-skycraft HTTP
41-1 15701 0/27/30 _ 1.67 0 0 0.0 0.14 0.15 188.158.139.254 zoomit.ir GET /templates/rt_tachyon_j15/images/logo/dark/logo.png HTTP/1.
42-1 5742 0/16/16 R 1.43 153 2636 0.0 0.06 0.06 ? ? …reading…
43-1 28534 1/1/8 K 0.00 0 437 0.5 0.00 0.04 78.109.196.10 zoomit.ir GET /components/com_k2/images/social/facebook_16.png HTTP/1.1
44-1 15702 2/11/11 K 0.18 1 0 3.1 0.09 0.09 85.185.82.97 zoomit.ir GET /media/k2/items/cache/f0ba2bfd8f936a77d3b146acfe9443c7_S.jp
45-1 28535 0/0/4 _ 0.32 5 6543 0.0 0.00 0.02 127.0.0.1 vps-1039725-2926.manage.myhosti OPTIONS * HTTP/1.0
46-1 27867 2/4/6 K 0.00 0 0 4.9 0.01 0.01 85.185.82.97 zoomit.ir GET /media/k2/items/cache/218fa54275e0e31c37b4e5091d9112ba_S.jp
47-1 25632 2/5/5 C 1.53 0 0 5.8 0.01 0.01 65.49.14.58 zoomit.ir GET /components/com_jomcomment/smilies/buttons.gif HTTP/1.0
48-1 25633 0/10/10 _ 0.00 3 9145 0.0 0.02 0.02 127.0.0.1 vps-1039725-2926.manage.myhosti OPTIONS * HTTP/1.0
49-1 28536 0/0/7 W 0.00 0 0 0.0 0.00 0.04 127.0.0.1 vps-1039725-2926.manage.myhosti GET /whm-server-status HTTP/1.1
50-1 26225 0/7/7 _ 0.00 0 1 0.0 0.08 0.08 188.158.139.254 zoomit.ir GET /templates/rt_tachyon_j15/images/body/body-bg.png HTTP/1.1
51-1 26231 1/3/3 W 1.49 1 0 0.0 0.00 0.00 205.185.113.185 zoomit.ir GET / HTTP/1.1
52-1 26232 1/3/3 W 1.57 2 0 0.0 0.01 0.01 205.185.113.185 zoomit.ir GET /user/friend-list HTTP/1.1
53-1 26243 0/3/3 W 0.00 35 0 0.0 0.01 0.01 84.241.27.77 zoomit.ir GET /it-news/item/486-incredible-japan-earthquick-skycraft HTTP
54-1 26245 0/3/3 _ 1.50 0 6731 0.0 0.00 0.00 90.56.202.118 zoomit.ir GET /templates/rt_tachyon_j15/favicon.ico HTTP/1.1
55-1 26246 0/2/2 _ 0.15 2 15170 0.0 0.01 0.01 85.133.192.17 zoomit.ir GET /images/stories/news/weblinks/wechoosethemoon_sm.jpg HTTP/1
56-1 26255 1/4/4 K 0.15 0 10419 0.3 0.01 0.01 65.49.14.58 zoomit.ir GET /index.php?option=com_jomcomment&no_html=1&task=img&jc_sid=
57-1 26279 2/6/6 K 0.00 1 1 0.6 0.01 0.01 65.49.14.58 zoomit.ir GET /templates/rt_tachyon_j15/images/body/light-div.png HTTP/1.
58-1 26318 0/0/0 W 0.00 48 0 0.0 0.00 0.00 95.38.50.71 zoomit.ir GET /components/com_k2/css/k2.css HTTP/1.1
59-1 26319 4/9/9 K 0.00 0 561 11.7 0.02 0.02 86.57.52.198 zoomit.ir GET /media/k2/items/cache/69b5f85da08d181d48515c6d41e3e0a5_S.jp
60-1 27879 0/0/0 W 0.00 29 0 0.0 0.00 0.00 80.191.91.25 zoomit.ir GET / HTTP/1.1
61-1 27880 3/4/4 K 0.00 1 346 8.5 0.01 0.01 86.57.52.198 zoomit.ir GET /media/k2/items/cache/3b44b5000d3ada04c028c395cd05cbfb_S.jp
62-1 27881 2/5/5 C 0.00 0 42 1.8 0.00 0.00 65.49.14.58 zoomit.ir GET /templates/rt_tachyon_j15/images/accents/orange/rtl/newspag
63-1 - 0/0/1 . 0.00 16 7513 0.0 0.00 0.00 127.0.0.1
Srv Child Server number - generation
PID OS process ID
Acc Number of accesses this connection / this child / this slot
M Mode of operation
CPU CPU usage, number of seconds
SS Seconds since beginning of most recent request
Req Milliseconds required to process most recent request
Conn Kilobytes transferred this connection
Child Megabytes transferred this child
Slot Total megabytes transferred this slot
SSL/TLS Session Cache Status:
cache type: DBM, maximum size: unlimited
current sessions: 0, current size: 0 bytes
average session size: 0 bytes

2

Hi,

When this happens what does your server say about the CPU load overall? Specifically what does it say about I/O Wait state? top, iostat, vmstat are 3 tools you can use to get this info.

Thanks,

3

Thank you for your reply

You can find Apache, PS and VMStats enclosed to my post. you would probably find a reason of cpu usage of get file.

I can not understand why apache should consume a lot of usage to GET a small jpg file.

4

Probably best thing to do is get rid of apache for serving static files by putting something like nginx as a reverse proxy to apache. Or move static files off to cdn service.

5

…I’m sorry but there is no problem here. Have you even touched 100% of the CPU yet?
Until the CPU is taxed beyond control, I mean deadlocked. DO NOT FUSS OVER IT.

Servers are designed to run and be used, pushed to there very limits.
Servers are not little collectible toys that need to be guarded in shrinkwrap.

If you are so concerned. Turn off some of Apache extensions. The ones you are not using.