How do you troubleshoot high CPU usage on a Unix server and what tools do you typically use for this task?

How to Troubleshoot High CPU Usage on a Unix Server

When troubleshooting high CPU usage on a Unix server, it is important to follow systematic steps to identify the root cause. Here are the steps you can take:

1. Check the System Load: Use the 'uptime' or 'top' command to check the overall system load and identify processes consuming the most CPU.
2. Identify the Culprit Processes: Use the 'ps' command to identify the specific processes causing high CPU usage.
3. Analyze Process Performance: Use tools like 'htop' or 'pidstat' to analyze the performance of individual processes and threads.
4. Check Disk I/O: High disk I/O can also lead to high CPU usage. Use 'iostat' or 'iotop' to monitor disk I/O activities.
5. Monitor Memory Usage: Insufficient memory can also result in high CPU usage. Use 'vmstat' to monitor memory usage.
6. Utilize Performance Tools: Tools like 'sar', 'strace', or 'perf' can provide detailed insights into system performance.
7. Optimize Processes: Once you identify the problematic processes or issues, optimize them by adjusting configurations, limiting resource usage, or killing unnecessary processes.

By following these steps and using the mentioned tools, you can effectively troubleshoot high CPU usage on a Unix server and improve its performance.