XK0-006 System Management Practice Question
A Linux administrator needs to view real-time information about running processes, including CPU and memory usage. Which TWO commands can be used for this purpose? (Choose two.)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
top
Option B (top) is correct because top provides a continuously refreshing, real-time view of running processes along with per-process CPU and memory usage, load averages, and system summary statistics. Option D (htop) is correct because htop is an interactive process viewer that also displays real-time CPU and memory usage per process, with additional features like colorized output, scrolling, and process management. Option A (ps aux) is not correct here because ps produces a static snapshot of processes at the moment it is executed rather than a live, updating view. Option C (systemctl list-units) is incorrect because it lists systemd units and their states, not per-process CPU or memory usage. Option E (kill -l) is incorrect because it only lists available signal names/numbers and provides no process resource information.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
ps aux
Why it's wrong here
ps aux takes a single static snapshot of processes at the moment it runs, then exits, so it cannot refresh CPU and memory figures in real time. It is tempting because it does list every running process with CPU and memory columns, making it the correct choice when a one-off inventory rather than continuous monitoring is required.
- ✓
top
Why this is correct
top reads /proc to render a live, refreshing table of processes with per-process CPU and memory figures, satisfying the real-time monitoring requirement. Its interactive sort and kill functions let the administrator act on what they observe without leaving the terminal.
- ✗
systemctl list-units
Why it's wrong here
systemctl list-units enumerates systemd unit states such as loaded, active and failed; it reports no per-process CPU or memory consumption and does not refresh. It is tempting because it shows what is running on the host, making it the right tool for checking service status or whether a unit failed to start.
- ✓
htop
Why this is correct
htop also samples /proc continuously, presenting the same real-time CPU and memory data as top but with colour, per-core meters and scrollable process trees. It meets the real-time process-monitoring requirement while remaining an interactive terminal tool.
- ✗
kill -l
Why it's wrong here
kill -l merely prints the names of available signals and takes no process measurements at all, so it cannot display CPU or memory usage. It is tempting because it relates to process management, and it is the correct choice when you need to confirm which signal number corresponds to a name before terminating a process.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux Fundamentals and History
Key term
Output
In IT service management, output is the result or deliverable produced by a process, system, or component, such as data, reports, or services delivered to a customer.
Key term
systemctl
systemctl is the command-line tool used to inspect, start, stop, enable, or disable services managed by the systemd init system in Linux.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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