How to Check What Services Are Running in Linux
In the world of Linux, services are crucial components that run in the background, performing essential tasks for the system to function smoothly. Whether you are a system administrator or a Linux enthusiast, it is important to know how to check what services are currently running on your system. This knowledge can help you diagnose issues, optimize performance, and ensure the security of your Linux server. In this article, we will discuss various methods to check the running services in Linux.
Using the ‘systemctl’ Command
The most common and straightforward way to check running services in Linux is by using the ‘systemctl’ command. ‘systemctl’ is a command-line utility that allows you to manage system services. To list all running services, simply type the following command in your terminal:
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sudo systemctl list-units –type=service
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This command will display a comprehensive list of all services running on your system. You can also filter the output by specifying a particular service name using the following command:
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sudo systemctl list-units –type=service –state=running | grep “service_name”
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Replace “service_name” with the name of the service you want to check.
Using the ‘ps’ Command
Another method to check running services in Linux is by using the ‘ps’ command. ‘ps’ is a command-line utility that displays information about currently running processes. To list all running services, use the following command:
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sudo ps -e | grep “service_name”
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Again, replace “service_name” with the name of the service you want to check. This command will display all processes related to the specified service.
Using the ‘netstat’ Command
The ‘netstat’ command is used to display network connections, routing tables, interface statistics, masquerade connections, and multicast memberships. To check running services using ‘netstat’, use the following command:
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sudo netstat -tulnp | grep “service_port”
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Replace “service_port” with the port number associated with the service you want to check. This command will display all network connections and listening ports related to the specified service.
Using the ‘ss’ Command
The ‘ss’ command is a utility to investigate sockets. It is a more advanced alternative to ‘netstat’ and provides more detailed information. To check running services using ‘ss’, use the following command:
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sudo ss -tulnp | grep “service_port”
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Again, replace “service_port” with the port number associated with the service you want to check. This command will display all network connections and listening ports related to the specified service.
Using the ‘service’ Command
The ‘service’ command is another way to check the status of services in Linux. To list all running services, use the following command:
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sudo service –status-all
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This command will display the status of all installed services. You can also check the status of a specific service using the following command:
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sudo service service_name status
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Replace “service_name” with the name of the service you want to check.
In conclusion, there are multiple methods to check what services are running in Linux. By using the ‘systemctl’, ‘ps’, ‘netstat’, ‘ss’, and ‘service’ commands, you can easily monitor the status of services on your Linux system. This knowledge can help you maintain a healthy and secure Linux environment.
