Guide
Real-time strip chart monitoring
A good real-time strip chart is not just \"live.\" It is tuned for decision-making: the time window, sampling cadence, and visual clarity match how operators actually respond to change.
Update interval and perception
If updates are too slow, short spikes vanish between samples. If updates are too fast, noise dominates and operators stop trusting the signal. A practical approach is to start with a moderate cadence and then tighten it for metrics where milliseconds matter.
Moving window: how much history is \"enough\"
A strip chart usually shows a fixed, recent window (for example, 30-120 seconds). The right window is long enough to show drift and oscillation, but short enough that the latest behavior stays readable.
Common patterns to watch
Drift
Slow movement away from baseline that can be missed if you only review snapshots.
Step change
A sudden level shift after a deployment, valve change, or configuration edit.
Intermittent spikes
Brief spikes that require the right sampling and window length to be visible.