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nmon.sourceforge.io
What it is
nmon is a free Linux tool for systems administration, tuning, and performance benchmarking. It collects system information and presents live readings in a terminal through a curses interface. Keyboard controls let operators turn individual data categories on or off. The display can include CPU, memory, network, disks, filesystems, NFS, top processes, and, in the Linux version, resources and processors. Captured readings can be written to a comma-separated file for later analysis or longer-term recording. nmonchart converts output into webpage graphs, while nmon Analyser loads files into Excel and creates graphs. njmon injectors can add JSON data to InfluxDB and Splunk, with real-time graphing through InfluxDB and Grafana. Binaries are listed for POWER, x86, x86_64, mainframe, and ARM Linux. Unsupported distributions require compiling with GCC and the ncurses development library. The Linux project is GPLv3; AIX nmon is integrated into topas and is not open source.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- nmon is a systems administration, tuning, and benchmark tool that collects performance information.Read 8 Oct 2026 · nmon.sourceforge.io
- Integrations
- The project page describes njmon injectors for adding JSON data to InfluxDB and Splunk, and real-time graphing with InfluxDB and Grafana.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
- License
- SourceForge lists the Linux project under the GNU General Public License version 3.0 (GPLv3).Read 8 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
- Founded
- 2009Read 28 Sep 2026 · nmon.sourceforge.io
- Analysis tools
- The site describes nmonchart for turning output into webpage graphs and nmon Analyser for loading output into an Excel spreadsheet and creating graphs.Read 8 Oct 2026 · nmon.sourceforge.io
- Build requirements
- For a Linux platform or distribution without a matching binary, the site says to compile from source using GCC and the ncurses development library.Read 8 Oct 2026 · nmon.sourceforge.io
- Data collection
- It can save performance data to a comma-separated file for analysis and longer-term capture.Read 8 Oct 2026 · nmon.sourceforge.io
- Intended audience
- SourceForge lists advanced end users, developers, and system administrators as the intended audience.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
- Live display
- It displays performance data in a terminal using curses, with keyboard controls for enabling or disabling data types.Read 8 Oct 2026 · nmon.sourceforge.io
- Metrics
- Displayed metrics include CPU, memory, network, disks, filesystems, NFS, top processes, and—in the Linux version—resources and processors.Read 8 Oct 2026 · nmon.sourceforge.io
- Platform distinction
- The site says nmon for AIX is integrated into the AIX topas command and is not open source.Read 8 Oct 2026 · nmon.sourceforge.io
- Supported Linux builds
- The download page lists binaries for POWER and x86/AMD64 Linux distributions, plus separate mainframe Linux builds.Read 8 Oct 2026 · nmon.sourceforge.io
- Version support
- The download page says the maintainer supports versions 16p, 16q for Mainframe, and 16s.Read 8 Oct 2026 · nmon.sourceforge.io
Plans and prices
nmon for Linux Free Linux performance monitoring · on-screen or CSV output · GNU GPLv3 Read 8 Oct 2026 · sourceforge.net
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free Linux performance monitoring
- Live terminal display with keyboard controls
- CSV capture for later analysis
- Graphs through nmonchart and Excel
- Supports POWER, x86, mainframe, and ARM
Limits
- AIX version is not open source
- Unmatched distributions require compiling from source
- Terminal interface may require technical users
Who it suits
It suits advanced end users, developers, and system administrators working with Linux performance data. It is useful when terminal monitoring, CSV capture, or later graphing is needed.
Verdict
nmon combines live terminal metrics with file-based capture and companion graphing tools. Its broad Linux build coverage and GPLv3 license suit technical users who need detailed system measurements.
Where Specifiction places it
- Process Monitoring Software#16 of 267.6
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