XK0-006 System Management Practice Question
A system administrator needs to monitor real-time process information and system resource usage. Which two commands can be used for this purpose? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse static process-listing tools like ps and jobs with true real-time monitoring tools; candidates who see 'process information' and reflexively pick ps aux miss the 'real-time' qualifier that only top and htop satisfy.
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 it launches an interactive, real-time process viewer that continuously refreshes CPU, memory, load average, and per-process statistics, exactly matching the requirement for live process and resource monitoring. Option C (htop) is also correct because it is an enhanced interactive process viewer that provides the same real-time monitoring with additional features such as colorized output, scrollable process lists, and per-core CPU meters. Option A (kill) is incorrect because it only sends signals to terminate or control existing processes and does not display monitoring data. Option D (jobs) is incorrect because it merely lists jobs in the current shell session and shows no system resource usage. Option E (ps aux) is incorrect because it produces a static snapshot of processes at the moment of execution rather than continuous real-time monitoring.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
kill
Why it's wrong here
kill sends a signal to a specified process ID to terminate or otherwise control it; it reports no ongoing resource statistics. It would be correct when ending a hung or unwanted process, but the stem requires continuous visibility of process and resource usage.
- ✓
top
Why this is correct
top reads /proc to display live per-process CPU, memory and load statistics, refreshing periodically. It satisfies the real-time process and resource monitoring requirement, complementing htop, which offers the same underlying data with an enhanced interactive interface.
- ✓
htop
Why this is correct
htop reads the same /proc interfaces as top but presents colour-coded bars, per-core CPU breakdown and scrollable process trees, refreshing in real time. It satisfies the live process and resource monitoring requirement, pairing with top as the second acceptable command.
- ✗
jobs
Why it's wrong here
The jobs command lists only shell job control entries for the current session, showing stopped or backgrounded processes rather than live CPU and memory consumption. It would be the right choice for resuming or foregrounding a suspended job, not for system-wide resource monitoring.
- ✗
ps aux
Why it's wrong here
ps aux produces a single static snapshot of current processes and exits; it does not refresh, so real-time resource usage cannot be observed. It would suit capturing a one-off process listing for later analysis, whereas the stem demands continuously updating monitoring.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Advanced Shell Scripting and Automation
Key term
Process
In IT service management, a process is a structured set of activities designed to accomplish a specific objective, such as managing incidents or changes, by transforming inputs into defined outputs.
Key term
Shell
A shell is a computer program that provides a user interface to access an operating system's services, typically by accepting text commands.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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