Linux Performance Tuning with perf and Profiling Tools
In the world of DevOps and SRE, the Linux kernel is the foundation upon which all applications and services are built. When things go wrong—when latency spikes, throughput drops, or servers buckle under load—the blame game is useless. What's required is data. This is where Linux performance tuning becomes an indispensable skill. It’s the art and science of diagnosing bottlenecks at the system level and optimizing resource usage. While classic tools like top and iostat provide a high-level overview, modern, complex issues demand a more powerful lens. Enter perf , the most powerful profiling tool built directly into the Linux kernel. This comprehensive guide will take you on a deep dive into Linux performance tuning. We'll start with the "why," explore the core pillars of system performance, and then spend significant time mastering the perf command. We'll also cover other essential tools and look at the future of Linux observability with eBPF, providing y...