/proc/softirqs: Explanation & Insights

Lists information about software interrupts

The file /proc/softirqs provides a snapshot of the softirqs. Softirqs, or 'software interrupts', are a mechanism in the Linux kernel used to handle certain kinds of work that can be deferred but are time-critical. They are a type of bottom half, a term used to describe work that is scheduled to run as soon as possible but after the current, top half (interrupt context) task is completed.

What /proc/softirqs Contains

The /proc/softirqs file contains counters for each softirq type on each processor. Each line represents a different type of softirq, such as 'HI', 'TIMER', 'NETRX', and 'NETTX'. The columns represent the processors in the system, and the numbers show how many times each softirq has been triggered on each processor.

For example:

HI:           0      12445     2746      3876
TIMER:   101238   125245   123245   124676
NET_RX:   34567     45678     23456     34567
NET_TX:   23456     34567     45678     56789

Importance of /proc/softirqs

Understanding /proc/softirqs can be crucial when diagnosing system performance issues, particularly those related to networking and I/O.

An unusually high count of softirqs might indicate a highly loaded system or a network issue. If you notice that one CPU core is handling the majority of the softirqs, it could be an indication of an imbalance in the distribution of work among the cores.

How to Use /proc/softirqs

You can use the cat command in the shell to view the contents of /proc/softirqs:

cat /proc/softirqs

The output will provide a snapshot of the softirq counters at that moment.

Typical Problems Diagnosed with /proc/softirqs

Examining /proc/softirqs can help diagnose a variety of problems, including but not limited to:

1. High system load: If the system is experiencing a high load, the softirq counts can help identify if the load is due to a large number of interrupts.

2. Network issues: A high count in 'NETRX' or 'NETTX' could indicate a network issue, as these softirqs handle received and transmitted network packets, respectively.

3. CPU imbalance: If one CPU core is handling the majority of the softirqs, it could indicate an imbalance in the distribution of work among cores.

Conclusion

The /proc/softirqs file provides valuable insight into the internal workings of the Linux kernel.