How to monitor process hogging CPU on a remote server
- by sergeb
I have a remotely hosted (virtual, VMware) dedicated server (Windows 2008 Server Web edition w/ SP1) that I can only connect to over Remote Desktop. Lately, a process hogs CPU for ~40 minutes most every day (at a random hour) and brings all web sites on the server down. While this is going on I also cannot connect using Remote Desktop to investigate on what is that process... Promptly after 40 min I can RD and the first thing I see on the Perf Monitor is that there was something topping the CPU at 100% and stops just before I'm able to RD... I'm aware of the beginning and end of this for I have monitors setup that email me up/down status of the web sites but I'm locked out while this is happening - can't RD to the server until it's over (and too late to see the Task Manager/Process Explorer picture).
What is the best way/tool to setup on the server to continuously monitor all processes so when this happens I login and "replay" it to find the process causing this trouble?
(I have no control over the virtual/VMware setup for it is hosted by a 3rd-party but I have most full control over my dedicated machine)
Thanks in advance!
