Tools to help analyze freezes

A quick and dirty list of Linux tools to help analyze systems that freeze, and processes that hang, especially the kernel.

• top
• log files, dmesg, journalctl, …
• monitoring software like collectd, Munin, Icinga, Smokeping, …
• Iotop - simple top-like I/O monitor
• vmstat - Report virtual memory statistics
• Magic SysRq key
• CoreFreq - CPU monitoring
• lsof - list open files (and locks, and avoid blocking)
• tcpdump, Wireshark, …
• perf - performance analysis tools for Linux cf. Perf Wiki
• PowerTOP ¹
• Linux Audit (github)
• strace - trace system calls and signals
• gdb - GNU Debugger
• … and as always ask colleagues

References and further reading:

• sysctl - ArchWiki
• How To Analyze Performance, Hangs, and High CPU Utilization on Linux | Jaspersoft Community
• Debugging the Linux Kernel – Own your bits

Special topics:

• NFS/Troubleshooting - ArchWiki
• How to Fix Throttling on the Dell XPS 15 9570 / 9560

+linux +kernel +debugging +troubleshooting +monitoring