top: https://linux.die.net/...​ s-tui: https://amanusk.github...​ htop: https://htop.dev​ atop: https://linux.die.net/...​ iftop: https://linux.die.net/...​ iotop: https://github.com/Tom...​ nvtop: https://github.com/Syl...​ asitop: https://github.com/tlk...​ btop: https://github.com/ari...​ perf: https://www.brendangre...​ wavemon: https://github.com/uoa...​

Linux offers a variety of system monitoring tools, each catering to different aspects of system health, from CPU usage to network traffic, disk I/O, and more. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at some of the most useful tools for monitoring Linux systems, along with links to their setup guides and documentation.

These tools are vital for anyone who wants to ensure their Linux system runs smoothly, efficiently, and without issues. Let's dive into the features of each tool and how they can enhance your monitoring capabilities.

1. top – The Classic Command-Line Tool top is one of the oldest and most well-known system monitoring tools in the Linux world. It provides a dynamic, real-time view of the system's processes and resource usage, including CPU, memory, and disk I/O.

• Key Features:
  • Displays a list of processes running on your system
  • Shows real-time CPU, memory, and swap usage
• Allows sorting and filtering of processes
• Documentation: Linux Die - top

2. s-tui – A Terminal UI for Monitoring s-tui is a terminal-based system monitor that provides an attractive and user-friendly interface for monitoring CPU, memory, and other system resources in real time. It is especially useful if you prefer a more visual representation of system stats in your terminal.

• Key Features:
  • Real-time graph-based monitoring
  • CPU, RAM, and system load graphs
  • Simple interface with customizable layout
• Documentation: GitHub - s-tui

3. htop – An Improved top with More Features htop is often considered an enhanced version of top. It provides a more user-friendly and interactive interface with color-coding and additional features like process tree view, which makes it easier to monitor and manage processes.

• Key Features:
  • Interactive process viewer
  • Process tree and detailed resource usage
  • Easy-to-use interface with color coding
• Documentation: htop.dev

4. atop – Advanced Monitoring for Advanced Users

atop is a powerful tool for monitoring system performance over extended periods. It can record system activity and is capable of analyzing detailed system performance over time, which makes it an excellent tool for identifying performance bottlenecks.

• Key Features:
  • Long-term system activity recording
  • Detailed statistics on CPU, memory, disk I/O, and network
  • Can log data for later analysis
• Documentation: Linux Die - atop

5. iftop – Real-Time Network Traffic Monitoring iftop is a real-time network monitoring tool that shows the bandwidth usage on your system, allowing you to monitor network connections and traffic.

• Key Features:
  • Displays network bandwidth usage
  • Shows active connections and their data rates
  • Allows filtering and sorting of traffic data
• Documentation: Linux Die - iftop

6. iotop – Monitor Disk I/O in Real-Time iotop is a Python-based tool that helps you monitor disk I/O on your system. It provides real-time information on which processes are consuming the most disk I/O, helping you troubleshoot disk bottlenecks.

• Key Features:
  • Real-time disk I/O monitoring
  • Displays processes consuming the most I/O
• Requires root privileges for full functionality
• Documentation: GitHub - iotop

7. nvtop – Monitor NVIDIA GPU Usage If you're using an NVIDIA GPU, nvtop is an excellent tool for monitoring your GPU's performance in real-time. It provides a graphical interface to view GPU usage, memory usage, and other critical metrics.

• Key Features:
  • Real-time GPU monitoring
  • Displays memory, temperature, and utilization stats
  • Supports multiple GPUs
• Documentation: GitHub - nvtop

8. asitop – System Resource Monitoring for ARM-Based Systems asitop is a system monitoring tool designed specifically for ARM-based systems, which are commonly used in embedded devices. It provides essential information on CPU, memory, and process usage.

• Key Features:
  • Lightweight and suitable for embedded systems
  • Monitors CPU, memory, and process statistics
  • Optimized for ARM-based architectures
• Documentation: GitHub - asitop

9. btop – A Modern System Resource Monitor

btop is a modern, visually appealing system resource monitor that displays CPU, memory, disk, and network usage in an easy-to-understand format. It's highly customizable and has a beautiful user interface.

• Key Features:
  • Gorgeous, user-friendly interface
  • Displays detailed system resource usage
  • Customizable layout and settings
• Documentation: GitHub - btop

10. perf – Performance Monitoring and Analysis perf is a powerful tool for performance analysis in Linux. It can be used for profiling applications, analyzing system performance, and identifying bottlenecks in your system or applications.

• Key Features:
  • Performance profiling and analysis
  • Supports various performance metrics and counters
  • Can be used for CPU, memory, and disk performance analysis
• Documentation: Brendan Gregg's Perf Guide

11. wavemon – Wireless Network Monitoring If you're interested in monitoring wireless networks, wavemon is a great tool for displaying real-time information on wireless interfaces, including signal strength, noise levels, and connection quality.

• Key Features:

  • Wireless network signal strength monitoring
  • Displays connection quality and noise levels

• Simple and easy-to-use interface

• Documentation: GitHub - wavemon

Conclusion

These system monitoring tools are invaluable for anyone managing a Linux system, whether you're an administrator, developer, or enthusiast. They provide a wealth of information about various system resources, making it easier to troubleshoot issues, optimize performance, and ensure everything is running smoothly.

For further reading and setup guides, be sure to visit the official documentation linked above for each tool. And remember, staying on top of your system's performance is key to maintaining a healthy and efficient environment.

Source: Jeff Geerling's Blog