System Resource Monitoring: Is Ubuntu's htop Command Better Than top?
In Ubuntu, top and htop are commonly used system resource monitoring tools. The classic top tool has a monochrome interface with compact information and requires memorizing shortcuts (e.g., P/M for sorting), lacking mouse operations. Its memory units are default in Kb, which is not intuitive, making it suitable for users familiar with commands. htop, an enhanced version of top, needs prior installation on Ubuntu (`sudo apt install htop`). It features color display, tabular layout, mouse support, intuitive memory units, and process tree visualization, making it easier for newcomers to use. Comparison shows htop is more beginner-friendly: clear color visuals allow header-click sorting, while operations like F5 for process trees and F6 for sorting are simple. Top suits scenarios requiring complex monitoring for users proficient in Linux commands. In summary, htop is recommended for beginners as it enables more intuitive and efficient system monitoring.
Read MoreEssential for Terminal: Monitoring System Resources with Ubuntu's top Command
In the Ubuntu system, the `top` command is a practical tool for monitoring system resources in the terminal, which can dynamically display the status of CPU, memory, processes, etc. To start it, open the terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and enter `top` (ordinary users can use it; `sudo` provides more system information). The core areas of the interface include: system overview information (uptime, number of users, load), process summary (total processes, running/sleeping/zombie counts), CPU status (`us` user mode, `id` idle, `wa` IO wait), memory (total/used/free/cached), Swap, and the process list (PID, `%CPU`/`%MEM`, etc.). Common shortcut keys: `P` (sort by CPU), `M` (sort by memory), `1` (display for multi-core CPUs), `k` (terminate a process), `q` (quit). Practical scenarios: Use `P` + `k` to troubleshoot CPU-high-usage processes, `M` to monitor memory leaks (where `RES` continues to rise), and address high load through `load average` (high `wa` indicates IO bottlenecks, high `us` requires program optimization). Mastering the core shortcuts allows efficient system management, making `top` an essential daily monitoring tool.
Read MoreLinux System Monitoring: Basic Tools and Performance Metrics
Linux system monitoring is fundamental for ensuring server stability and requires mastery of tools and metrics. Common tools include: process monitoring (`ps` for basic viewing, `top` for real-time dynamics, `htop` for tree-like structure/mouse operations); memory (`free -h` to check memory/cache, focusing on `available` and Swap); disk (`df -h` for partition inspection, `du -sh` for directory location, `iostat -x 1` for IO monitoring with `%util > 80%` indicating bottlenecks); and network (`ss -tuln` for port checking, `ss -s` for connection status). Key metrics: CPU load (should not exceed core count within 1 minute) and `wa` (high values indicate disk bottlenecks); memory should alert on Swap usage; disk monitoring requires cleaning when partition usage exceeds 85%. For system lag diagnosis: first use `top` to check load/CPU, then `free` for memory, `df` for disk confirmation, and `ss` to排查异常 connections. Through the "observe-analyze-optimize" cycle with tools and metrics, regular practice enables rapid problem localization and system stability maintenance.
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