4.2 Process Monitoring and Control

Content

• Overview and Objectives
  • Learning Objectives
• ps Command Options and Output Interpretation
• top and htop for Real-time Process Monitoring
• Process Priority and Nice Values
• Signal Types and Kill Command Usage
• Background and Foreground Process Management
• Terminal Multiplexers
• Real-world context
• Common pitfalls
• Recommended reading
• Lab Exercises
  • Lab Overview
  • Lab Setup
  • Lab Exercise 1: Mastering ps Command Options
  • Lab Exercise 2: Real-time Monitoring with top and htop
  • Lab Exercise 3: Process Priority Management
  • Lab Exercise 4: Job Control and Background Process Management
  • Troubleshooting Guide
• Assessment
  • Multiple Choice Questions
  • Short Answer Questions

This chapter is available exclusively to members of The Server Room, my DevOps community of practice. You have multiple options for taking this course, for example self-guided or instructor-led. Check out the course details to learn more!

Updated 2026-03-10