The CPU view is often the first stop. The most important counter to look at here is (Percentage Ready).
esxtop relies on single-key shortcuts to switch between different resource views. If you look at the top of the screen, you will see the current view listed. Here are the critical keys to memorize:
Many administrators stick to the default CPU view, but esxtop is a Swiss Army knife capable of diagnosing storage latency, network packet loss, and memory contention. Here is how to master it. esxtop yellow bricks
: Use these keys to switch between resource views: c : CPU m : Memory n : Network d / u / v : Disk (Adapter, Device, or VM level) p : Power Management f : Open the field selection panel to add or remove metrics Key Metrics and Thresholds
When troubleshooting performance issues in a vSphere environment, there is no tool more powerful or immediate than . While the vSphere Client provides high-level overviews and historical data, esxtop allows you to see what is happening on your ESXi host right now, down to the millisecond. The CPU view is often the first stop
: By default, data refreshes every 5 seconds. Change this by typing s followed by the number of seconds (e.g., 2 for a 2-second interval).
Press f to customize fields. Ensure P (Packet Loss %) or other specific metrics are visible if you need granular detail. If you look at the top of the
esxtop
ESXTop is a powerful tool for monitoring and optimizing the performance of your VMware environment. By following the "yellow bricks" guidelines and best practices outlined in this post, you'll be well on your way to becoming an ESXTop expert and getting the most out of your VMware infrastructure. Whether you're a seasoned VMware administrator or just starting out, ESXTop is an essential tool to have in your toolkit.
As a VMware administrator, you're likely no stranger to the challenges of monitoring and optimizing the performance of your virtual infrastructure. One of the most powerful tools at your disposal is ESXTop, a command-line utility that provides real-time performance data on your ESXi hosts. But with great power comes great complexity, and ESXTop can be overwhelming for those new to it. That's where the "yellow bricks" come in – a set of guidelines and best practices for navigating ESXTop and getting the most out of your VMware environment.