Book Image

Essential Linux Commands

By : Paul Olushile
Book Image

Essential Linux Commands

By: Paul Olushile

Overview of this book

The role of a system administrator is ever-evolving, with the Linux command line at its core. This makes Linux command-line mastery an essential skill to demonstrate your ability to efficiently manage and maintain systems efficiently. Essential Linux Commands addresses a diverse range of topics, including package management, file manipulation, networking strategies, system monitoring, and diagnostic tools. Each command is intricately explained to eliminate any ambiguity, ensuring ease of implementation in real-world scenarios. This book explains how to use SELinux to maintain security, run Linux machines on AWS Cloud, and transfer and download files to remote systems. With the help of practical examples and use cases, you’ll not only gain a thorough understanding of a command’s syntax but also grasp its functional breadth and limitations. The book also explores commands frequently used by system administrators to check network card statistics and firewall rules. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced administrator, this book is an invaluable resource, filling in the gaps in your skill set and helping you improve your skills and expertise in Linux administration.
Table of Contents (20 chapters)
1
Part 1:Server Installations and Management Commands
5
Part 2:Frequently Used Commands – Part 1
9
Part 3:Frequently Used Commands – Part 2
15
Part 4:Linux Security and the Cloud

The vmstat command

The vmstat command is a powerful tool for monitoring system performance and analyzing resource usage. When executed, the vmstat command provides a detailed report on various system statistics, including CPU usage, memory usage, virtual memory, disk I/O, and system processes. This comprehensive overview allows system administrators to identify performance bottlenecks, detect potential issues, and make informed decisions about system optimization and resource allocation. The vmstat command is particularly valuable for performance tuning, capacity planning, and troubleshooting system slowdowns or resource constraints. It offers valuable insights into the system’s health and performance, enabling administrators to proactively address any emerging issues and ensure the smooth operation of the Linux environment.

The following example is to monitor system memory, processor, and I/O statistics in real time:

Figure 9.22 – Monitoring system memory and processes with vmstat

Figure 9.22 – Monitoring...