Load Average: what's the meaning?

[Synapsi]

Hi

Running systat -ifstat 1 there's a display of something called load average; in my implementation it's usually at 85% even if CPU load, network load and disk load is always far behind 50%.

What is the exact meaning? How is the parameter composed?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Durden]

Start here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Load_(computing)

Good intro into what you're asking.