Chapter 12: Opwratong System Management

Introduction to Operating System Management

Operating system management encompasses the configuration and management of computer resources, particularly concerning the processes executed on virtual machines. This chapter focuses on how to manage computer processes, measure performance, and monitor reliability within virtual environments. Understanding the performance bottlenecks can help in addressing slow or unresponsive computer behavior.

Managing Tasks in Windows 10

Overview of Task Manager

Windows 10 provides a Task Manager that offers insights into the programs and processes running on your machine, including their performance metrics. This tool is critical for identifying resource constraints that may impact the overall virtual machine performance.

Accessing Task Manager

You can launch Task Manager in several ways:

• Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and select Task Manager.

• Press Windows + X and select Task Manager from the menu.

• Use the shortcut Control + Shift + Esc for direct access (applicable for native installations).

Using the Run As Feature

In scenarios where administrative privileges are necessary, the Run As feature can be utilized, similar to the sudo command in CentOS. This allows users to troubleshoot issues even without elevated permissions.

Task Manager Tabs

Task Manager consists of several tabs: Processes, Performance, App History, Startup, Users, Details, and Services. Each tab plays a significant role in monitoring computer operations.

Processes Tab

This tab shows the currently running processes, with applications listed at the top, followed by background processes and Windows processes. It visualizes resource utilization via a heatmap, where varying shades indicate the levels of CPU, memory, network, and disk usage. Users can terminate misbehaving applications by selecting the process and clicking End Task.

Performance Tab

The Performance tab displays real-time graphs of CPU, memory, disk, and network usage. Users can double-click to expand views for in-depth metrics. If certain performance metrics exceed acceptable thresholds, it may indicate a need for hardware upgrades.

App History Tab

This tab presents historical information on application resource usage, defaulting to Windows Store apps. Users can switch to view all applications and can reset usage history if necessary.

Startup Tab

The Startup tab illustrates which programs launch at system startup and their impacts on boot times. Users can disable unnecessary startup programs to enhance startup performance.

Users Tab

It shows the resource usage for each user account on a machine, allowing users to switch among accounts or disconnect other sessions directly.

Details Tab

This tab offers detailed information about each running process, enabling users to grab advanced options or terminate processes as necessary.

Services Tab

Services crucial for system functionality are managed here. Users can start, stop, or restart services, and examine service dependencies for troubleshooting.

Monitoring Performance in Windows 10

Using Performance Monitor

Performance Monitor is available in Windows 10 to collect real-time data about memory, disk, processor, and network activities. It visualizes data through various formats: graphs, histograms, or reports (accessed via Control Panel). The primary monitor tracks the percent processor time and helps identify when upgrades are needed.

Identifying Disk Activity

Disk performance metrics, like Percent Disk Time, Disk Reads/Sec, and Disk Writes/Sec, allows assessment of disk activity and assists in balancing workloads.

Managing Memory and Paging

Monitoring available memory and pages per second offers insight into memory health. Consistent heavy paging indicates insufficiencies, suggesting potential RAM upgrades are necessary.

Processor Monitoring

Essential CPU counters, including Percent Processor Time and Interrupts/Sec, can help gauge if processor capacity is sufficient to handle current loads.

Assessing System Reliability

Reliability Monitor in Windows 10

The Reliability Monitor provides a visual representation of system reliability over time through a stability index ranging from 1 to 10. Significant events affecting system stability, such as software installations or failures, are tracked and presented to nail down the causes of performance drops.

Summary of Key Terms

• Baseline: Average expected performance during typical usage.

• Bottleneck: A slow process due to resource competition among various tasks.

In conclusion, utilizing Task Manager and Performance Monitor tools effectively allows users not only to monitor and manage tasks in a virtual environment but also to maintain optimal performance and reliability in their operating systems.