Top 5 Essential Linux Commands for Troubleshooting: How I Use Them

Linux users often encounter issues that can be resolved quickly with a few essential commands. Here are five go-to Linux commands that can assist in troubleshooting.

1. dmesg

The dmesg command displays boot messages from the kernel, providing crucial information about potential errors. To use it effectively, run:

sudo dmesg

For real-time monitoring of messages, use:

dmesg -w

This command allows you to view errors as they occur, making it easier to troubleshoot immediately.

2. tail

The tail command is helpful for monitoring log files in real time. To check logs for a specific service, start with:

ls /var/log/samba

Then, to view real-time entries in a specific log file, use:

tail -f /var/log/samba/log.smbd

This command displays the latest entries as they are written, helping you catch errors on the fly.

3. ps

The ps command provides a snapshot of current running processes. For a complete view, use:

ps aux

This command lists all processes, essential for identifying and troubleshooting crashing applications. If you need to focus on a specific application, you can pipe the output through grep:

ps aux | grep LibreOffice

4. kill

When you need to terminate a stubborn process, the kill command is the solution. First, find the Process ID (PID) using ps, then execute:

kill <PID>

Replace <PID> with the actual process ID you want to close.

5. systemctl

The systemctl command is crucial for managing services. To check the status of a service, such as Samba, use:

systemctl status smbd

This command provides information on whether the service is running, its PID, memory usage, and any potential issues, aiding in effective troubleshooting.

By mastering these five commands, Linux users can efficiently resolve issues and enhance their troubleshooting skills.

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