ESXTOP commands: The Ultimate Guide

Originally posted on https://www.virtualizationhowto.com on July 14, 2023 by Brandon Lee.

When your virtual machines or ESXi hosts hit performance snags, it’s key to know how to identify and fix these issues. A really useful tool you can use is ESXTOP. It’s a command line tool that gives live info about the ESXi host and virtual machines.

What is ESXTOP?

ESXTOP is a core command-line tool that comes with VMware ESXi, delivering instantaneous, comprehensive performance details for your ESXi system and the virtual machines it controls.

Valued by system managers and IT professionals, ESXTOP presents a detailed perspective on the tasks within an ESXi host. It empowers you to analyze system elements such as CPU demand, memory allocation, network data flow, and storage performance.

ESXTOP stands out due to its ability to delve into performance specifics of individual virtual machines. It enables you to determine the exact amount of CPU and memory a particular VM is using, evaluate the network data it’s transmitting and receiving, and scrutinize its storage performance.

ESXTOP’s strength lies in its capacity to provide this data live, right from the command line. This ongoing oversight allows you to maintain vigilant surveillance on your ESXi system’s wellbeing and respond swiftly to any performance bumps.

Additionally, ESXTOP is not merely a monitoring tool — it’s an effective instrument for…