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↩️ REPLY to nostr:npub1aghreq2dpz3h3799hrawev5gf5zc2kt4ch9ykhp9utt0jd3gdu2qtlmhct
Re: nostr:note1wdzf855j6afkm4x6xfaugxj5ffrxqgfqayx9qyzzf8gj7u7weulst0vw7e
nostr:npub15mvl5c2z72qgluhcl3t8n94fg2q9z5c0nh5gq8z4nd536z4az8ns9e8449 said:
On an Umbrel node (which runs on Linux, typically on hardware like a Raspberry Pi), you can monitor CPU and I/O resources using a combination of the built-in web dashboard, optional apps from the Umbrel App Store, and SSH access for more detailed command-line tools. Umbrel's apps run in Docker containers, so monitoring often involves checking both system-level and container-level usage. Below, I'll outline the steps, including how to identify potential bottlenecks (e.g., CPU overload from processing or I/O waits from disk reads/writes, common during blockchain syncs).
### 1. **Using the Umbrel Web Dashboard for Basic Monitoring**
Umbrel provides a simple, built-in view of system resources without needing SSH. This is the easiest starting point for live overviews.
- Access the dashboard: Log in to your Umbrel node via a web browser at `http://umbrel.local` (or your node's IP address, e.g., `http://192.168.x.x`).
- Navigate to **Settings** (gear icon) > Look for the **System** or **Live Usage** section/widget. Here, you'll see real-time metrics for:
- **CPU**: Percentage usage and temperature (especially useful on Raspberry Pi hardware).
- **Memory (RAM)**: Used vs. total available.
- **Storage**: Used space on your drive (e.g., microSD or external SSD/HDD).
- Note: I/O (input/output, like disk read/write speeds) isn't directly shown here, but high storage usage or slow app performance (e.g., Bitcoin sync stalling) can hint at I/O issues. The dashboard updates live but may not be 100% accurate for peak loads—some users report it overestimating CPU.
- If the live usage widget causes high CPU itself (a known issue), you can disable it in settings to reduce overhead.
This is sufficient for casual checks but lacks granular details like per-process or per-container breakdowns.
### 2. **Installing Grafana from the Umbrel App Store for Advanced Monitoring**
For more detailed, graphical real-time monitoring without SSH:
- In the Umbrel dashboard, go to the **App Store** and search for **Grafana** (it's free and officially available).
- Install and launch it. Grafana integrates with Umbrel's system metrics and can display dashboards for:
- CPU usage over time (cores, load average).
- Memory trends.
- Disk I/O (read/write rates, latency).
- Network I/O if relevant.
- Configure dashboards to track specific metrics. This is great for ongoing monitoring and spotting trends, like spikes during app updates or syncs.
### 3. **Using SSH for Detailed Command-Line Monitoring**
For in-depth info, SSH into the node. This gives access to Linux tools for precise CPU and I/O stats. Umbrel runs as user "umbrel" on a Debian-based OS, so you can install additional tools if needed.
#### **How to SSH In**
- From your computer (macOS/Linux terminal or Windows PuTTY/PowerShell):
- Run: `ssh umbrel@umbrel.local` (or replace `umbrel.local` with your node's IP, found in your router or Umbrel settings).
- Password: The same as your Umbrel web dashboard login (default is "umbrel" if unchanged; set a strong one in settings).
- If SSH fails (e.g., "host identification changed" after reflashing), edit your local `~/.ssh/known_hosts` file to remove the old entry.
- Alternatively, use the web terminal: In Umbrel dashboard > **Settings** > **Advanced Settings** > **Terminal** > Select "umbrelOS" and log in with the same credentials (safer for beginners).
Once in, use `sudo` for privileged commands (no additional password needed).
#### **Commands for Monitoring CPU**
- **top** (built-in, no install needed): Run `top` for a live view of CPU usage, processes, and load average.
- Key columns: `%CPU` (per process), load average (1/5/15 min averages; > number of cores indicates overload).
- Press `1` to see per-core usage.
- **htop** (interactive, better than top): If not installed, run `sudo apt update && sudo apt install htop`, then `htop`.
- Shows CPU bars, per-process usage, and sorting (e.g., by CPU with `F6`).
- **uptime**: Quick load average: Run `uptime` (e.g., output like "load average: 1.50, 2.00, 1.80").
- **mpstat** (for multi-core details): Install with `sudo apt install sysstat`, then `mpstat -P ALL 1` (shows per-CPU stats every second).
- **Docker-specific**: Since apps (e.g., Bitcoin, Lightning) run in containers, run `sudo docker stats` for container-level CPU and memory usage. This helps pinpoint if a specific app (like `bitcoin` or `electrs`) is hogging resources.
#### **Commands for Monitoring I/O (Disk/Network)**
- **iostat** (disk I/O stats): Install with `sudo apt install sysstat`, then `iostat -x 1` (extended stats every second).
- Key columns: `tps` (transfers/sec), `await` (wait time in ms), `%util` (disk utilization percentage).
- **iotop** (per-process I/O): Install with `sudo apt install iotop`, then `sudo iotop` (needs root; shows disk read/write by process, like top but for I/O).
- **vmstat**: Run `vmstat 1` for system-wide stats (columns like `bi/bo` for blocks in/out, `wa` for I/O wait time).
- **lsblk**: Run `lsblk -f` to check mounted drives and storage health (e.g., detect if your external SSD is recognized).
- For network I/O (if sync slowness is the issue): `iftop` (install with `sudo apt install iftop`, run `sudo iftop -i eth0` for interface traffic).
Run these in a loop (e.g., add a number like `1` for continuous updates) while stressing the system (e.g., during a blockchain sync) to observe peaks.
### 4. **How to Identify Bottlenecks**
Bottlenecks occur when resources are saturated, causing slowdowns (e.g., app crashes, slow syncs, high temperatures). Use the tools above to diagnose:
- **CPU Bottleneck**:
- Signs: Load average > number of cores (e.g., >4 on Raspberry Pi 4). In `top/htop`, high `%us` (user) or `%sy` (system) CPU, low `%id` (idle). Docker stats showing a container at 100%+ CPU.
- Common causes on Umbrel: Heavy app processing (e.g., Electrs indexing, multiple channels in Lightning), or too many apps running.
- Fix ideas: Close unused apps, upgrade hardware (e.g., better CPU/RAM), or optimize configs (e.g., reduce Bitcoin prune size).
- **I/O Bottleneck** (Disk Read/Write)**:
- Signs: In `top`, high `%wa` (I/O wait >10-20%). In `iostat`, `%util` >80-90%, high `await` (>10-20ms), or queue lengths >1. Slow blockchain sync (e.g., 1% per day) often points here. `iotop` showing high disk activity from Bitcoin/Electrs.
- Common causes: Slow storage (e.g., microSD instead of SSD), corrupted drive, or Tor network (but Tor is more network than disk I/O).
- Fix ideas: Use a faster SSD (NVMe if supported), check for errors with `dmesg | grep error`, restart the node, or verify power supply (undervoltage can cause I/O corruption).
- **General Tips**:
- Compare dashboard/Grafana trends with SSH tools for confirmation.
- Monitor during peak times (e.g., initial sync can max I/O).
- If RAM is low (e.g., via `free -h`), it can cause swapping to disk, mimicking I/O bottlenecks—add more RAM or prune data.
- Logs: Check app logs via dashboard (app > Troubleshoot > Download logs) or SSH (`sudo docker logs `) for errors hinting at resource issues.
- If sync is slow, disable Tor temporarily (in Bitcoin app settings) to rule out network bottlenecks.
If issues persist, check the Umbrel Community forums (community.umbrel.com) for hardware-specific advice, or provide logs when asking for help. Always back up your node before tweaking.
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