Using Performance Co-Pilot to Collect and View System Performance Data

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Using Performance Co-Pilot to Collect and View System Performance Data

In this hands-on lab, you will be using `Performance Co-Pilot` (`pcp`) to monitor a lab system. As part of the lab, you will install `pcp` with some additional packages. You will configure `pmlogger` to ensure logging is configured correctly, then use the `pcp atop` command view system utilization and process activity. Finally, `pminfo` and `pmdumptext` to view system system metrics. *This course is not approved or sponsored by Red Hat.*

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Lab Info

Level

Advanced

Last updated

Sep 19, 2025

Duration

45m

Challenge

Install Packages and Start Services
1. Install the PCP, pcp-zerconf, and pcp-system-tools packages.
2. Enable and start the pmcd and pmlogger services.
  
  Confirm both services are running as expected.
3. Configure pmlogger.
  
  Run the pmlogconf utility.
  
  Review the prompts and complete the configuration using a base configuration.
  
  Once the configuration is complete, cycle the pmcd and pmlogger services.
4. Start local system services.
  
  evotl
  
  evodd
Challenge

Investigate System Utilization, Resources, and Processes
1. Use pcp atop command to view utilization details and processes.
  
  Launch pcp atop.
  
  Sort the view by memory usage and identify the process using the most memory.
  
  Sort the view by CPU usage and identify the process using the most CPU time.
  
  Monitor the CPU and memory metrics in the upper section of the output.
2. View available metrics using pminfo.
  
  View the full list available metrics.
  
  Filter list of available metrics and locate the following values:
  
  free and used memory
  
  free and used swap
  
  Use pminfo to display point in values for the metrics identified above.
  
  Review the information provided and make note of the values.
3. Use pmdumptext display specific metrics.
  
  Create a custom view on a 2-second refresh cycle, using the following metrics:
  
  kernel load
  
  memory used and free
  
  swap used and free
  
  Review the information and make note of the values.
Challenge

Stop the Local Services and Monitor the System Again
1. Stop the evotl and evodd services.
2. Launch pcp atop.
  
  Review the memory and CPU utilization data.
  
  Confirm system utilization reduction with the services stopped.
3. Use pmdumptext to review the same metrics.
  
  Confirm system utilization reduction with the services stopped.

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