CompTIA Linux+ XK0-006 (V8) Practice Question

The correct answer is to use a command-line tool like top or ps to identify which processes are consuming the most CPU resources. When performance metrics exceed an established baseline, the first step is always to investigate the cause of the deviation. Identifying the specific process(es) responsible for the high CPU usage allows the administrator to determine if the cause is a malfunctioning application, a runaway script, or unexpected heavy traffic, guiding further troubleshooting steps. Rebooting the server might temporarily clear the issue but does not identify the root cause. Adjusting the baseline would mean accepting poor performance as the new normal. Adding more CPU resources without investigation is a premature and potentially costly solution that doesn't address the underlying problem.