Streamline Windows administration by using command-line scripts to monitor system events, processes, and performance

The ultimate goal of every system and network administrator is to keep the entire network running and to fine-tune it to provide optimum performance. And with every new version of Windows, it seems that Microsoft tries to ease administrators' workload by adding more layers of GUI or configuration wizards. But although these wizards are interactive and make the administrator's job easier, they are not always the most convenient or most efficient way of accomplishing everyday administration tasks. Focus on command-line utilities used for monitoring system events and performance logs in this sample chapter from How to Cheat at Windows System Administration Using Command Line Scripts. First, look at the graphical utilities that Windows provides, such as the Event Viewer, Task Manager, and Performance Console. These utilities, intended to help administrators monitor system events, application processes, and system performance, may be easy to use, but are time consuming as well. Discover more efficient command-line equivalents to these tools, then closely examine examples of how to use these command-line utilities to help you better understand the commands. Chapter coverage includes:

• Managing event logs from the command line
• Creating new events
• Working with event triggers
• Viewing logged events
• Monitering application processes and tasks
• Using filters with the TaskList and TaskKill commands
• Working with system performance

Title: How to Cheat at Windows System Administration Using Command Line Scripts
ISBN: 1597491055
Published: September 2006
Author: Pawan K. Bhardwaj
Chapter: Chapter 8: Monitoring System Events, Processes, and Performance
Published by Syngress Publishing