How to Check the Services Running in Linux
In the world of Linux, services are essential components that run in the background, performing various tasks without requiring direct user interaction. Whether you are a system administrator or a Linux enthusiast, it’s crucial to know how to check the services running on your system. This knowledge can help you monitor the health of your system, troubleshoot issues, and ensure that all necessary services are up and running. In this article, we will explore several methods to check the services running in Linux.
1. Using the System Monitor
The first method to check the services running in Linux is by using the system monitor. Most Linux distributions come with a system monitor tool, such as System Monitor in Ubuntu or System Monitor in CentOS. These tools provide a graphical interface to view running services and their status.
To open the system monitor, search for “System Monitor” in the application menu. Once the tool is open, you will see a list of running services and their status. You can sort the list by name, status, or other criteria to find the information you need.
2. Using the `ps` Command
The `ps` command is a powerful tool in Linux that allows you to list the processes running on your system. To check the services running in Linux using the `ps` command, follow these steps:
1. Open a terminal window.
2. Type `ps aux` and press Enter. This command will list all running processes, including services.
3. Use the `grep` command to filter the output and display only the services you are interested in. For example, to list all Apache services, type `ps aux | grep httpd` and press Enter.
3. Using the `systemctl` Command
The `systemctl` command is a powerful tool for managing services in Linux. It allows you to list, start, stop, and enable services. To check the services running in Linux using `systemctl`, follow these steps:
1. Open a terminal window.
2. Type `systemctl list-units –type=service` and press Enter. This command will list all services on your system, including their status.
3. To view the status of a specific service, type `systemctl status [service_name]` and press Enter. Replace `[service_name]` with the name of the service you want to check.
4. Using the `service` Command
The `service` command is another method to check the services running in Linux. It is similar to `systemctl` but is often used in older Linux distributions. To check the services running in Linux using the `service` command, follow these steps:
1. Open a terminal window.
2. Type `service –status-all` and press Enter. This command will list all services on your system, including their status.
3. To view the status of a specific service, type `service [service_name] status` and press Enter. Replace `[service_name]` with the name of the service you want to check.
Conclusion
Checking the services running in Linux is an essential skill for anyone working with Linux systems. By using the system monitor, `ps` command, `systemctl` command, and `service` command, you can easily monitor the health of your system and ensure that all necessary services are up and running. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced Linux user, these methods will help you manage your services more effectively.
