Monitoring system performance is crucial for maintaining the health and efficiency of a Linux server. In this article, we will explore four command-line interface (CLI) based performance monitoring tools: top, htop, ps, and vmstat. Each of these tools provides valuable insights into system resource usage, helping you diagnose performance issues.

1. top

The top command is a built-in utility in Linux that provides a dynamic, real-time view of the system's processes. It displays a list of processes currently running, along with their CPU and memory usage.

top

Use the top command to monitor system performance interactively. You can sort processes by various metrics and kill processes directly from this interface.

2. htop

htop is an enhanced version of top with a more user-friendly interface. It provides a visual representation of CPU, memory, and swap usage with color coding, making it easier to interpret system load.

htop

To install htop, run:

sudo apt install htop

After installation, simply type htop in the terminal to launch it. You can navigate through processes using the arrow keys and perform various actions with function keys.

3. ps

The ps command provides a snapshot of current processes. It is often used in combination with other commands to filter and format the output. For example, to view all running processes, use:

ps aux

This command lists all processes along with detailed information such as user, CPU usage, and memory usage. You can use grep to filter the output for specific processes:

ps aux | grep process_name

4. vmstat

The vmstat command provides information about processes, memory, paging, block IO, traps, and CPU activity. It gives an overview of system performance and helps identify bottlenecks:

vmstat 1

This command will update every second. The output provides information on how many processes are in the runnable state, memory usage, and CPU activity, which can help diagnose performance issues.

Conclusion

Monitoring your Linux server's performance is essential for maintaining optimal operation. Tools like top, htop, ps, and vmstat offer valuable insights into system resource usage.

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