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View Processes Running on Linux Server

View Processes Running on Linux Server

 

A process running on a computer is a program or set of instructions that has been executed and loaded into memory. Sometimes it is helpful to know what processes are currently running on your Linux server. There are several different ways to find out.

 

 

 

The following article applies for Debian and Redhat-based Linux servers. Both types of Linux use the same commands.  It assumes that you can connect to your server through SSH.

 

 

  This article explains how to check what processes are currently running on your Linux server using the ps and top commands. 

 

 View Linux Processes Using ps uaxView Command

1

Connect to your server via SSH and log in as the “root” user

2

Type:  ps uax                  (make sure there is a space between ps and uax)

[press enter]

 

 

3

A list of all the current running processes will be displayed. You can see how much CPU, memory, or other resources a particular process is using.

 

 

There are many other ways to format the results of the ps command.  In this example we use the uax switch for the most commonly needed information.

 

 

 

View Linux Processes Using Top Command

1

Connect to your server via SSH and log in as the “root” user

2

Type: top

[press enter]

 

3

As you can see, the information will be very similar to the ps uaxcommand.  With top however, the process list is updated every few seconds to give more of a real-time view of your server's processes. At the very top of the display is an overview of your system resources, including CPU, memory, and swap space.