Chapter 8: Processes

In this chapter, you will

• Understand how the ps command can be used to monitor system processes

• Send signals to processes to modify their behavior using the kill command

• Configure the at daemon to schedule the execution of a job

• Configure the cron daemon to regularly schedule the execution of a job

Processes lie at the heart of modern multiuser operating systems, providing the ability to run multiple applications and services concurrently on top of the kernel. In user terms, process management is a central feature of using a single login shell to start and stop multiple jobs running concurrently, often suspending their execution while waiting for input. Solaris 9 provides many tools for process management, which have changed significantly during the transition from Solaris 1. This chapter highlights the new process management tools and command formats, and it discusses the innovative /proc file systems and associated tools that allow administrators to deal with zombie processes. This chapter will also talk about automating tasks and using the scheduling facility.