vmstat command

vmstat -a 2

vmstat 2

The columns show the following:
r
Shows the amount of processes in the run queue. These processes are waiting for
a free CPU slot to be executed. If the number of processes in this column is constantly
higher than the number of CPUs available, this is an indication for insufficient
CPU power.
b
Shows the amount of processes waiting for a resource other than a CPU. A high
number in this column may indicate an I/O problem (network or disk).
swpd
The amount of swap space currently used.
free
The amount of unused memory.
inact
Recently unused memory that can be reclaimed. This column is only visible when
calling vmstat with the parameter -a (recommended).
active
Recently used memory that normally does not get reclaimed. This column is only
visible when calling vmstat with the parameter -a (recommended).
buff
File buffer cache in RAM. This column is not visible when calling vmstat with
the parameter -a (recommended).
cache
Page cache in RAM. This column is not visible when calling vmstat with the
parameter -a (recommended).
si
Amount of data that is moved from RAM to swap per second. High values over a
longer period of time in this column are an indication that the machine would
benefit from more RAM.
so
Amount of data that is moved from swap to RAM per second. High values over a
longer period of time in this column are an indication that the machine would
benefit from more RAM.
bi
Number of blocks per second received from a block device (e.g. a disk read). Note
that swapping also impacts the values shown here.
bo
Number of blocks per second sent to a block device (e.g. a disk write). Note that
swapping also impacts the values shown here.
in
Interrupts per second. A high value indicates a high I/O level (network and/or disk).
cs
Number of context switches per second. Simplified this means that the kernel has
to replace executable code of one program in memory with that of another program.
us
Percentage of CPU usage from user processes.
sy
Percentage of CPU usage from system processes.
id
Percentage of CPU time spent idling. If this value is zero over a longer period of
time, your CPU(s) are working to full capacity. This is not necessarily a bad
sign—rather refer to the values in columns r and b to determine if your machine
is equipped with sufficient CPU power.
wa
Time spent waiting for IO. If this value is significantly higher than zero over a
longer period of time, there is a bottleneck in the I/O system (network or hard disk).
st
Percentage of CPU time used by virtual machines.
See vmstat --help for more options.