[Ubuntu 16.04.6 LTS] cpu_times_percent wrong idle values when percpu=True #1586

cyril23 · 2019-09-16T15:56:40Z

Platform

Ubuntu 16.04.6 LTS
psutil Version: 5.6.3

Bug description

psutil.cpu_times_percent(interval=1, percpu=True) retrieves the wrong idle value on my machine

Examples

Example 1 (BUG):

import psutil
psutil.cpu_times_percent(interval=1, percpu=True)

Results - Example 1

[scputimes(user=2.0, nice=0.0, system=1.0, idle=64.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=1.0, nice=0.0, system=1.0, idle=64.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=9.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=56.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=67.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=3.0, nice=0.0, system=2.0, idle=62.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=66.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

idle is around 66
idle should be around 95-100

Example 2 (BUG):

import psutil
psutil.cpu_times_percent(interval=0.5, percpu=True)

Results - Example 2

[scputimes(user=1.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=33.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=34.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=33.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=33.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=33.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=33.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

idle is around 33
idle should be around 95-100

Example 3 (BUG):

import psutil
psutil.cpu_times_percent(interval=0.25, percpu=True)

Results - Example 3

[scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=17.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=17.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=17.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=17.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=17.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=17.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

idle is around 17
idle should be around 95-100

Example 4 (BUG):

import psutil
psutil.cpu_times_percent(interval=0.125, percpu=True)

Results - Example 4

[scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=8.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=8.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=8.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=8.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=8.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=8.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

idle is around 8
idle should be around 95-100

Example 5 (BUG):

import psutil
psutil.cpu_times_percent(interval=1.1, percpu=True)

Results - Example 5

[scputimes(user=5.0, nice=0.0, system=1.0, idle=69.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=73.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=73.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=73.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=73.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=73.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

idle is around 70
idle should be around 95-100

Example 6 (OK):

import psutil
psutil.cpu_times_percent(interval=2, percpu=True)

Results - Example 6

[scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=100.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=100.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=100.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.8, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=99.2, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=100.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0), 
 scputimes(user=0.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=100.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

idle is around 100 (OK)
idle should be around 95-100

Other Examples and observations:

between with 0 < interval < 2.0 the values of idle increase
values >= 1.5 seem better and better
values >= 2.0 seem OK

without the Parameter percpu=True, we have NO problem with ANY interval:

The text was updated successfully, but these errors were encountered:

giampaolo · 2019-09-16T16:59:04Z

Why do you think it's the wrong idle value?

cyril23 · 2019-09-16T17:12:12Z

Please read my description again.

without the argument percpu=True, there is NO problem with ANY interval
edit: ~~Example: interval=0.25. Without the argument percpu=True, the idle value is 98.0, but with argument percpu=True it goes down to 9.0. That's wrong.~~
Example: interval=1. Without the argument percpu=True, the idle value is 98.5, but with argument percpu=True it goes down to 63.0. That's wrong.

giampaolo · 2019-09-16T17:23:42Z

Ah, you're right, I see the discrepancy now. It seems your namedtuple does not return guest and guest_nice metrics for some reason. Do you have a virtual machine running? (virtualbox, vmware, ...)
Can you paste the output of cat /proc/stat?

cyril23 · 2019-09-16T17:34:55Z

Yes, it is a VM. I don't know what's the hypervisor though. I can ask for it.

cat /proc/stat
cpu  2011087 1368 1149652 328633032 151302 0 0 0
cpu0 699181 602 281740 54261103 68903 0 0 0
cpu1 382053 102 196442 54723566 20582 0 0 0
cpu2 277955 63 198209 54836257 14951 0 0 0
cpu3 261998 212 180058 54865613 18765 0 0 0
cpu4 207652 9 153617 54954250 13111 0 0 0
cpu5 182245 377 139583 54992241 14986 0 0 0
intr 0
swap 0 0

ctxt 332233131
btime 1567824132
processes 2370944
procs_running 2
procs_blocked 0

cyril23 · 2019-09-16T17:40:45Z

Some information I found on https://www.ostechnix.com/check-linux-system-physical-virtual-machine/

sudo lshw -class system
vserver
    description: Computer
    width: 64 bits
    capabilities: vsyscall64 vsyscall32

systemd-detect-virt
openvz

sudo virt-what
openvz

giampaolo · 2019-09-16T18:49:37Z

OK, as I thought /proc/stat is missing 2 extra columns at the end: guest and guest_nice. Those 2 represent the CPU time spent running "guest" / virtualized systems or containers like openvz.

As per this code section:

psutil/psutil/_pslinux.py

Lines 281 to 286 in c10df5a

    
           if vlen >= 9: 
        
               # Linux >= 2.6.24 
        
               fields.append('guest') 
        
           if vlen >= 10: 
        
               # Linux >= 3.2.0 
        
               fields.append('guest_nice')

...they should be available only on Linux > 2.6.24 and Linux > 3.2.0 respectively. What Linux kernel are you on?

As per this comment:

psutil/psutil/__init__.py

Lines 1756 to 1765 in c10df5a

    
           # On Linux guest times are already accounted in "user" or 
        
           # "nice" times, so we subtract them from total. 
        
           # Htop does the same. References: 
        
           # https://github.com/giampaolo/psutil/pull/940 
        
           # http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/178045 
        
           # https://github.com/torvalds/linux/blob/ 
        
           #     447976ef4fd09b1be88b316d1a81553f1aa7cd07/kernel/sched/ 
        
           #     cputime.c#L158 
        
           tot -= getattr(times, "guest", 0)  # Linux 2.6.24+ 
        
           tot -= getattr(times, "guest_nice", 0)  # Linux 3.2.0+

...guest and guest_nice are accounted also in user and nice times. But since they are not available and the idle time is off, my best guess is that the kernel does not keep track of them at all, including in user and nice counters, which are lower than they should be (and that's why idle is off, it's missing some "busy time"). In summary, to me it appears like a kernel bug, and you'll probably see the same discrepancy by using top.

cyril23 · 2019-09-16T20:06:02Z

.they should be available only on Linux > 2.6.24 and Linux > 3.2.0 respectively. What Linux kernel are you on?

Kernel:

uname -r
   2.6.32-042stab140.1

uname -a
   Linux vserver 2.6.32-042stab140.1 #1 SMP Thu Aug 15 13:32:22 MSK 2019 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

OS:

lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 16.04.6 LTS
Release:        16.04
Codename:       xenial

Using top:

Looks like top works, so I don't understand why psutil.cpu_times_percent can't get it right.

giampaolo · 2019-09-16T20:09:54Z

Looks like top works

Can you run a CPU intensive task while you do top? Something like this:

while 1:
    pass

cyril23 · 2019-09-16T20:32:45Z

while 1: pass didn't seem to work. It just showed me a command line, but doesn't show any load on the CPU.

Executing this however gave me a big CPU utilization:
openssl speed -multi $(grep -ci processor /proc/cpuinfo)

giampaolo · 2019-09-16T20:43:34Z

OK, while you run that (CPU instensive task) also run this:

import psutil
from pprint import pprint as pp
for x in range(5):
    pp(psutil.cpu_times(percpu=True))
    print()
    pp(psutil.cpu_times_percent(interval=1, percpu=True))
    print("\n-----\n")

What does it print?

cyril23 · 2019-09-16T20:50:21Z

It printed this:

python
Python 2.7.12 (default, Aug 22 2019, 16:36:40)
[GCC 5.4.0 20160609] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import psutil
>>> from pprint import pprint as pp
>>> for x in range(5):
...   pp(psutil.cpu_times(percpu=True))
...   print()
...   pp(psutil.cpu_times_percent(interval=1, percpu=True))
...   print("\n-----\n")
...
[scputimes(user=7097.23, nice=6.02, system=2848.79, idle=550372.05, iowait=689.2, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=3916.15, nice=1.02, system=1988.13, idle=555015.14, iowait=205.84, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2856.91, nice=0.63, system=2001.38, idle=556165.27, iowait=149.54, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2706.13, nice=2.12, system=1819.65, idle=556450.01, iowait=187.65, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2148.57, nice=0.09, system=1556.22, idle=557349.86, iowait=131.11, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=1892.58, nice=3.77, system=1410.94, idle=557736.44, iowait=149.97, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]
()
[scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=66.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=1.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

-----

[scputimes(user=7097.9, nice=6.02, system=2848.79, idle=550372.05, iowait=689.2, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=3916.82, nice=1.02, system=1988.13, idle=555015.14, iowait=205.84, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2857.58, nice=0.63, system=2001.38, idle=556165.27, iowait=149.54, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2706.8, nice=2.12, system=1819.65, idle=556450.01, iowait=187.65, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2149.23, nice=0.09, system=1556.22, idle=557349.87, iowait=131.11, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=1893.25, nice=3.77, system=1410.94, idle=557736.44, iowait=149.97, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]
()
[scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=68.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=1.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

-----

[scputimes(user=7098.57, nice=6.02, system=2848.79, idle=550372.05, iowait=689.2, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=3917.5, nice=1.02, system=1988.13, idle=555015.14, iowait=205.84, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2858.25, nice=0.63, system=2001.38, idle=556165.27, iowait=149.54, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2707.47, nice=2.12, system=1819.65, idle=556450.01, iowait=187.65, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2149.9, nice=0.09, system=1556.22, idle=557349.88, iowait=131.11, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=1893.92, nice=3.77, system=1410.94, idle=557736.44, iowait=149.97, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]
()
[scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=66.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=66.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

-----

[scputimes(user=7099.24, nice=6.02, system=2848.79, idle=550372.05, iowait=689.2, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=3918.16, nice=1.02, system=1988.13, idle=555015.14, iowait=205.84, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2858.92, nice=0.63, system=2001.38, idle=556165.27, iowait=149.54, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2708.14, nice=2.12, system=1819.65, idle=556450.01, iowait=187.65, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2150.56, nice=0.09, system=1556.22, idle=557349.88, iowait=131.11, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=1894.59, nice=3.77, system=1410.94, idle=557736.44, iowait=149.97, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]
()
[scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=66.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

-----

[scputimes(user=7099.91, nice=6.02, system=2848.79, idle=550372.05, iowait=689.2, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=3918.83, nice=1.02, system=1988.13, idle=555015.14, iowait=205.84, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2859.59, nice=0.63, system=2001.38, idle=556165.27, iowait=149.54, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2708.81, nice=2.12, system=1819.65, idle=556450.01, iowait=187.65, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2151.23, nice=0.09, system=1556.22, idle=557349.88, iowait=131.11, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=1895.25, nice=3.77, system=1410.94, idle=557736.44, iowait=149.97, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]
()
[scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=66.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=66.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=66.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=67.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

-----

>>>

edit: fixed output (forgot the first 4 outputs)
edit2: fixed formatting (deleted spaces)

cyril23 · 2019-09-17T01:54:51Z

Here is the output of the same test, using an interval=2:

python
Python 2.7.12 (default, Aug 22 2019, 16:36:40)
[GCC 5.4.0 20160609] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import psutil
>>> from pprint import pprint as pp
>>> for x in range(5):
...   pp(psutil.cpu_times(percpu=True))
...   print()
...   pp(psutil.cpu_times_percent(interval=2, percpu=True))
...   print("\n-----\n")
...
[scputimes(user=7225.65, nice=6.02, system=2903.09, idle=562268.14, iowait=714.89, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=4027.61, nice=1.02, system=2032.54, idle=566956.38, iowait=216.05, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2949.96, nice=0.63, system=2052.25, idle=568115.16, iowait=163.39, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2796.31, nice=2.12, system=1867.77, idle=568401.19, iowait=205.45, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2227.1, nice=0.09, system=1596.62, idle=569321.05, iowait=148.37, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=1968.06, nice=3.77, system=1448.18, idle=569714.85, iowait=166.52, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]
()
[scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=40.3, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=59.7, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

-----

[scputimes(user=7226.98, nice=6.02, system=2903.09, idle=562268.14, iowait=714.89, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=4028.94, nice=1.02, system=2032.54, idle=566956.38, iowait=216.05, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2951.29, nice=0.63, system=2052.25, idle=568115.16, iowait=163.39, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2796.85, nice=2.12, system=1867.77, idle=568401.99, iowait=205.45, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2228.43, nice=0.09, system=1596.62, idle=569321.05, iowait=148.37, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=1969.39, nice=3.77, system=1448.18, idle=569714.85, iowait=166.52, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]
()
[scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=97.8, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=2.2, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

-----

[scputimes(user=7228.31, nice=6.02, system=2903.09, idle=562268.14, iowait=714.89, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=4030.28, nice=1.02, system=2032.54, idle=566956.38, iowait=216.05, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2952.62, nice=0.63, system=2052.25, idle=568115.16, iowait=163.39, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2798.18, nice=2.12, system=1867.77, idle=568401.99, iowait=205.45, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2229.74, nice=0.09, system=1596.62, idle=569321.08, iowait=148.37, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=1970.74, nice=3.77, system=1448.18, idle=569714.85, iowait=166.52, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]
()
[scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=98.5, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=1.5, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=99.3, nice=0.0, system=0.7, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

-----

[scputimes(user=7229.65, nice=6.02, system=2903.09, idle=562268.14, iowait=714.89, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=4031.62, nice=1.02, system=2032.54, idle=566956.38, iowait=216.05, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2953.96, nice=0.63, system=2052.25, idle=568115.16, iowait=163.39, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2799.52, nice=2.12, system=1867.77, idle=568401.99, iowait=205.45, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2231.05, nice=0.09, system=1596.62, idle=569321.1, iowait=148.37, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=1972.1, nice=3.77, system=1448.19, idle=569714.85, iowait=166.52, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]
()
[scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=99.3, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.7, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

-----

[scputimes(user=7230.99, nice=6.02, system=2903.09, idle=562268.14, iowait=714.89, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=4032.95, nice=1.02, system=2032.54, idle=566956.38, iowait=216.05, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2955.3, nice=0.63, system=2052.25, idle=568115.16, iowait=163.39, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2800.86, nice=2.12, system=1867.77, idle=568401.99, iowait=205.45, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=2232.38, nice=0.09, system=1596.62, idle=569321.11, iowait=148.37, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=1973.44, nice=3.77, system=1448.19, idle=569714.85, iowait=166.52, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]
()
[scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0),
 scputimes(user=100.0, nice=0.0, system=0.0, idle=0.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0)]

-----

>>>

ulxasc · 2021-08-10T19:32:43Z

I have run into this problem as well, it looks like it is an issue with intervals that are smaller than 1 second.

psutil/psutil/__init__.py

Lines 1800 to 1804 in 5a76cfa

    
           # "scale" is the value to multiply each delta with to get percentages. 
        
           # We use "max" to avoid division by zero (if all_delta is 0, then all 
        
           # fields are 0 so percentages will be 0 too. all_delta cannot be a 
        
           # fraction because cpu times are integers) 
        
           scale = 100.0 / max(1, all_delta)

What is the reason we cannot do fractions here? Calling cpu_times_percent with an interval less than about 1 second tends to return percentages that don't add up to 100% for each cpu. If you do:

scale = 100.0 / all_delta if all_delta > 0 else 100.0

wouldn't it solve that problem?

…lo#1586)

…aolo#1586)

…aolo#1586) Signed-off-by: Frank Kusters <[email protected]>

frankkusters · 2024-04-30T12:15:46Z

I have run into this problem as well, it looks like it is an issue with intervals that are smaller than 1 second.

psutil/psutil/__init__.py

Lines 1800 to 1804 in 5a76cfa

# "scale" is the value to multiply each delta with to get percentages.

# We use "max" to avoid division by zero (if all_delta is 0, then all

# fields are 0 so percentages will be 0 too. all_delta cannot be a

# fraction because cpu times are integers)

scale = 100.0 / max(1, all_delta)

What is the reason we cannot do fractions here? Calling cpu_times_percent with an interval less than about 1 second tends to return percentages that don't add up to 100% for each cpu.

I ran into this problem, as I'm trying to monitor at sub-second intervals. I modified the code to print all_delta just before line 1804.

With this script:

import psutil
import time
psutil.cpu_times_percent(percpu=True)
time.sleep(1)
psutil.cpu_times_percent(percpu=True)

I get this output on my 8 core machine:

<skip first 8 lines>
1.0099999999995646
1.010000000000332
1.0000000000004547
0.9899999999995543
0.9800000000007092
0.9900000000000091
1.0000000000000568
1.0

So even at 1 second intervals, a nontrivial error is introduced (0.98 will be modified to 1.0).

I was wondering how the originally reported problem doesn't show with percpu=False. It does, but the interval has to be small enough (less than 1/cpu_count()):

psutil.cpu_times_percent()
psutil.cpu_percent()
interval = 1 / (psutil.cpu_count() * 2)  # set interval to value significantly below 1/cpu_count
time.sleep(interval)
print(psutil.cpu_times_percent())
print(f'cpu_percent={psutil.cpu_percent()}')

This is the output:

85.1400000000057  # should be ignored
0.499999999996362  # all_delta
scputimes(user=1.0, nice=6.0, system=6.0, idle=37.0, iowait=0.0, irq=0.0, softirq=0.0, steal=0.0, guest=0.0, guest_nice=0.0)
cpu_percent=26.0

The output of cpu_times_percent is completely off here as well. I added cpu_percent as a reference, as scputimes.idle should be roughly 100 - cpu_percent. It's half that, which makes sense with the all_delta value being changed from ~0.5 to 1.0.

I submitted a pull request (#2413) with the fix by @ulxasc.

cyril23 added the bug label Sep 16, 2019

giampaolo added the linux label Nov 15, 2020

frankkusters added a commit to frankkusters/psutil that referenced this issue Apr 30, 2024

Fix wrong cpu_times_percent values when interval < ~1 second (giampao…

5ced102

…lo#1586)

frankkusters added a commit to frankkusters/psutil that referenced this issue Apr 30, 2024

Fix too low cpu_times_percent values when interval < ~1 second (giamp…

516a39b

…aolo#1586)

frankkusters added a commit to frankkusters/psutil that referenced this issue Apr 30, 2024

Fix too low cpu_times_percent values when interval < ~1 second (giamp…

dd968c1

…aolo#1586)

frankkusters added a commit to frankkusters/psutil that referenced this issue Apr 30, 2024

Fix too low cpu_times_percent values when interval < ~1 second (giamp…

be40529

…aolo#1586)

frankkusters linked a pull request Apr 30, 2024 that will close this issue

Fix too low cpu_times_percent values when interval < ~1 second (#1586) #2413

Open

frankkusters added a commit to frankkusters/psutil that referenced this issue Apr 30, 2024

Fix too low cpu_times_percent values when interval < ~1 second (giamp…

f83fa62

…aolo#1586) Signed-off-by: Frank Kusters <[email protected]>

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[Ubuntu 16.04.6 LTS] cpu_times_percent wrong idle values when percpu=True #1586

[Ubuntu 16.04.6 LTS] cpu_times_percent wrong idle values when percpu=True #1586

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[Ubuntu 16.04.6 LTS] cpu_times_percent wrong idle values when percpu=True #1586

[Ubuntu 16.04.6 LTS] cpu_times_percent wrong idle values when percpu=True #1586

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cyril23 commented Sep 16, 2019 • edited by giampaolo Loading

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Bug description

Examples

Example 1 (BUG):

Example 2 (BUG):

Example 3 (BUG):

Example 4 (BUG):

Example 5 (BUG):

Example 6 (OK):

Other Examples and observations:

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