1.12.1 About ExaWatcher

ExaWatcher collects detailed system statistics, primarily focused on the operating system and network interfaces. The ExaWatcher service runs separately on each server and collects performance data using operating system tools and utilities, such as iostat, vmstat, mpstat, and top. It also collects storage server statistics using cellsrvstat.

ExaWatcher runs by default on Exadata database servers and storage servers. The standard collection is defined by the server hardware and installed Oracle Exadata System Software version. The available statistics and collection settings can therefore differ between servers and software releases.

For enhanced security, applicable collection processes run under the exawatch account, which has no login privileges. See also Default User Accounts for Oracle Exadata.

You can use ExaWatcher to examine Exadata server performance using the data collected by the default service. For a specific performance investigation, you can gather collected information from relevant servers for the required period. Older collection files are removed automatically as part of space management.

Use the service and configuration inspection commands in this section to determine the state and settings on a particular server. The default service provides ongoing data collection for routine diagnosis. Configuration changes are needed only when you want to alter the standard collection.