How To Check CPU Utilization In Cisco Router

Are you looking to monitor the performance of your Cisco router? One important metric to keep an eye on is CPU utilization. High CPU utilization can impact network performance and lead to potential issues. So, how can you check the CPU utilization in your Cisco router?

Checking CPU utilization in a Cisco router is a straightforward process. By accessing the router's command-line interface (CLI), you can use the 'show processes cpu' command to view the CPU utilization percentage. This command provides a real-time snapshot of how much CPU is being used by various processes in the router. It allows you to identify any processes that are causing high CPU loads and take appropriate actions to optimize the router's performance.

Understanding CPU Utilization in Cisco Router

Cisco routers are widely used in networking environments to manage and direct network traffic. One critical aspect of monitoring the performance of a Cisco router is checking the CPU utilization. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is responsible for executing instructions and processing data in a router. Monitoring the CPU utilization is essential to ensure optimal performance and to identify any potential bottlenecks that may affect the network. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to check CPU utilization in a Cisco router.

Method 1: Using Command-Line Interface (CLI)

The command-line interface (CLI) provides a powerful way to check CPU utilization in a Cisco router. By accessing the router's CLI, you can use various commands to gather information about the CPU utilization. One of the commonly used commands is the "show processes cpu" command. This command displays the CPU utilization of different processes running on the router.

To check the CPU utilization using the CLI, follow these steps:

• Access the router's CLI by connecting to it through a console or SSH.
• Enter the privileged EXEC mode by typing "enable" and providing the password if prompted.
• Type the command "show processes cpu" and press enter.
• The output will display the CPU utilization information, including the percentage of CPU usage by different processes.

By monitoring the CPU utilization using the CLI, you can identify any processes that are consuming excessive CPU resources and take appropriate measures to optimize the router's performance.

Method 1.1: Checking CPU Utilization History

In addition to checking the real-time CPU utilization, you can also view the historical CPU utilization of a Cisco router. This can provide valuable insights into the router's performance trends and help identify any patterns of high CPU usage.

The command "show process cpu history" allows you to view the CPU utilization history. It displays a graphical representation of the CPU utilization over a specific period, typically the last 72 hours by default.

To check the CPU utilization history, follow these steps:

• Access the router's CLI and enter privileged EXEC mode.
• Type the command "show process cpu history" and press enter.
• The output will display the CPU utilization history in a graphical format.
• You can specify a different time period by using the additional command options.

By reviewing the CPU utilization history, you can identify any recurring patterns of high CPU usage, which may indicate the need for further investigation or performance optimization.

Method 1.2: Gathering Detailed CPU Utilization Information

In addition to the basic CPU utilization information provided by the "show processes cpu" command, you can gather more detailed information about the CPU usage using other commands.

The "show processes cpu sorted" command provides a detailed breakdown of the CPU utilization, sorted by processes. This command displays the CPU usage in terms of percentages, as well as the PID (Process ID), process name, and priority.

Another useful command is "show processes cpu sorted | include ". This command allows you to filter the output and display only the CPU utilization information related to a specific process by specifying its name.

These commands help in gaining a deeper understanding of the CPU utilization and identifying any processes that may be causing high CPU load.

Method 2: Using Network Monitoring Tools

In addition to the CLI, you can also utilize network monitoring tools to check the CPU utilization of a Cisco router. These tools provide a graphical interface and additional features for monitoring the network, including CPU utilization.

One popular network monitoring tool is Cisco Prime Infrastructure. It offers comprehensive network monitoring capabilities, including real-time CPU utilization monitoring for Cisco routers.

To check the CPU utilization using Cisco Prime Infrastructure, follow these steps:

• Access the Cisco Prime Infrastructure application and log in using your credentials.
• Navigate to the network device section and locate the Cisco router you wish to monitor.
• Select the router and go to the performance monitoring section.
• Look for the CPU utilization metric and view the real-time CPU utilization of the router.

Network monitoring tools like Cisco Prime Infrastructure provide a user-friendly interface and may offer additional features such as historical CPU utilization graphs, alerts, and notifications.

Method 2.1: Using SNMP Monitoring

Another method to check CPU utilization in Cisco routers is by utilizing SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) monitoring. SNMP is a standardized protocol used for monitoring and managing devices on a network.

Cisco routers support SNMP and can be configured to provide CPU utilization information through SNMP queries. SNMP monitoring tools, such as PRTG Network Monitor, allow you to monitor and graph the CPU utilization of Cisco routers in real-time.

To check the CPU utilization using SNMP monitoring, follow these steps:

• Set up an SNMP monitoring tool like PRTG Network Monitor.
• Configure the Cisco router to enable SNMP and set up community strings for read access.
• Add the Cisco router as a device in the SNMP monitoring tool using its IP address and the configured community strings.
• Navigate to the device in the SNMP monitoring tool and look for the CPU utilization metric.

SNMP monitoring provides a centralized and efficient way to monitor the CPU utilization of multiple Cisco routers across a network.

Exploring Alternative Methods for Checking CPU Utilization in Cisco Router

In addition to the previous methods, there are alternative ways to check CPU utilization in a Cisco router:

Method 3: Using Cisco IOS Embedded Event Manager (EEM)

The Cisco IOS Embedded Event Manager (EEM) is a powerful scripting tool that allows you to automate tasks and monitor events on Cisco IOS devices. EEM can be used to trigger CPU utilization checks and notify administrators if the CPU exceeds a certain threshold.

To utilize EEM for CPU utilization monitoring, follow these steps:

• Access the router's CLI and enter privileged EXEC mode.
• Create an EEM script that periodically checks the CPU utilization using the "show processes cpu" command.
• Set up an action within the script to notify administrators if the CPU utilization exceeds a predefined threshold.
• Schedule the EEM script to run at regular intervals using the EEM scheduler.

Using EEM provides a proactive approach to monitor CPU utilization and can help address any potential performance issues before they affect the network.

Method 4: Using Cisco Prime Infrastructure REST API

If you prefer programmatically retrieving CPU utilization information from a Cisco router, you can leverage the Cisco Prime Infrastructure REST API. The REST API allows you to query and retrieve data from Cisco Prime Infrastructure programmatically.

To use the Cisco Prime Infrastructure REST API for CPU utilization monitoring, follow these steps:

• Set up an application to interact with the Cisco Prime Infrastructure REST API.
• Authenticate with the API using the necessary credentials.
• Make API requests to retrieve the CPU utilization data from the Cisco router.
• Process and analyze the retrieved data programmatically.

Using the REST API provides flexibility in how you access and utilize CPU utilization data from Cisco routers, allowing for custom integrations and automation.

Method 5: Using Cisco Embedded Management Framework (EMF)

The Cisco Embedded Management Framework (EMF) is a comprehensive solution for managing and monitoring Cisco routers. It provides a unified interface for monitoring and configuring various aspects of Cisco routers, including CPU utilization.

To check the CPU utilization using the Cisco EMF, follow these steps:

• Access the Cisco EMF interface using your preferred method (CLI, web interface, etc.).
• Navigate to the CPU utilization section or dashboard.
• View the real-time CPU utilization and any related metrics.

The Cisco EMF offers a comprehensive set of tools for managing and monitoring CPU utilization, making it suitable for larger network environments with multiple Cisco routers.

Conclusion

Checking CPU utilization in a Cisco router is crucial for optimizing performance and identifying any potential issues that may affect the network. By utilizing CLI commands, network monitoring tools, SNMP monitoring, Cisco IOS Embedded Event Manager, Cisco Prime Infrastructure REST API, or Cisco Embedded Management Framework, administrators can effectively monitor the CPU utilization and take appropriate actions to ensure the smooth operation of the network.

Understanding CPU Utilization in Cisco Router

Monitoring the CPU utilization of a Cisco router is crucial for network administrators to ensure the optimal performance and stability of the network. High CPU utilization can lead to network congestion, performance degradation, and even network failures. Here are two methods to check CPU utilization in a Cisco router:

Method 1: Using CLI Commands

• Access the Cisco router via a console cable or SSH session.
• Enter the privileged EXEC mode by typing "enable" and providing the privileged EXEC mode password.
• Use the command "show processes cpu history" to view the CPU utilization history.
• Use the command "show processes cpu sorted" to view the CPU utilization by individual processes.

Method 2: Using Network Monitoring Tools

Network monitoring tools can provide a more convenient and comprehensive way to check CPU utilization in Cisco routers. These tools collect and analyze data from SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) to provide detailed insights into the network's performance.

Some popular network monitoring tools include:

• Cisco Prime Infrastructure
• SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
• Zabbix

With these tools, network administrators can monitor real-time CPU utilization, receive alerts for high CPU usage, and generate reports for analysis and troubleshooting.

### Key Takeaways:

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions about checking CPU utilization in a Cisco Router:

1. How can I check the CPU utilization of my Cisco Router?

To check the CPU utilization of your Cisco Router, you can use the following command: "show processes cpu history". This command will display a graphical representation of the CPU utilization over a specific period of time. You can also use the "show processes cpu" command to view the current CPU utilization in percentage.

It is important to monitor the CPU utilization of your Cisco Router to ensure it is not experiencing high usage that could impact performance. By regularly checking the CPU utilization, you can identify any potential issues or bottlenecks and take appropriate actions.

2. Can I check the CPU utilization of individual processes on my Cisco Router?

Yes, you can check the CPU utilization of individual processes on your Cisco Router using the "show processes cpu" command. This command will display a list of processes running on the router along with their CPU utilization percentage. By analyzing this information, you can identify any processes that are consuming a significant amount of CPU resources and take necessary steps to optimize or address them.

Monitoring individual process CPU utilization can help you troubleshoot performance issues, identify resource-intensive processes, and make informed decisions about resource allocation on your router.

3. How can I check the real-time CPU utilization of my Cisco Router?

To check the real-time CPU utilization of your Cisco Router, you can use the "show processes cpu sorted" command. This command will display the processes currently using the most CPU resources at the top of the list. By regularly monitoring this output, you can identify any sudden spikes or consistently high CPU usage on your router.

Real-time CPU utilization monitoring is crucial for identifying potential performance bottlenecks, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring optimal router performance.

4. Is it possible to track historical CPU utilization on a Cisco Router?

Yes, you can track historical CPU utilization on a Cisco Router by enabling SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and using a network monitoring tool that supports SNMP, such as Cisco Prime Infrastructure or SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor.

These tools can collect and store CPU utilization data over a defined period of time, allowing you to analyze historical trends, identify patterns, and make informed decisions about resource allocation and capacity planning.

5. Are there any alerts or notifications available for high CPU utilization on a Cisco Router?

Yes, you can configure alerts or notifications for high CPU utilization on a Cisco Router using SNMP traps. SNMP traps can be configured to send notifications to a network management system or email address when the CPU utilization exceeds a certain threshold.

By setting up these alerts, you can proactively monitor and respond to high CPU utilization, ensuring timely resolution of any potential performance issues.

To check the CPU utilization in a Cisco Router, you can use the command "show processes cpu history" in the router's command line interface (CLI). This command will provide you with a graphical representation of the CPU utilization over time, allowing you to identify any spikes or sustained high levels of CPU usage. Additionally, you can use the command "show processes cpu" to view a summary of CPU utilization for each process running on the router.

Monitoring the CPU utilization is important for network administrators as it helps them identify any performance or bottleneck issues that may impact the router's overall performance. By regularly checking the CPU utilization, administrators can take proactive measures to optimize the router's resources and ensure optimal network performance.