Cloud

How do I check a virtual machine?

Updated 2026-08-14

Quick answer

To check a virtual machine, access your cloud provider's management console and review the VM's status and resource usage metrics.

This guide provides steps to check the status and performance of a virtual machine across different cloud platforms.

Steps

  1. 1

    Access the Management Console

    Log into your cloud provider's management console (e.g., AWS Management Console, Azure Portal, Google Cloud Console).

  2. 2

    Locate the Virtual Machine

    Navigate to the 'Compute' or 'Virtual Machines' section to find your VM. The exact path may vary by provider.

  3. 3

    Check Status and Metrics

    Review the VM’s status (running, stopped, etc.) and examine metrics such as CPU, memory, and disk usage.

  4. 4

    Review Logs and Alerts

    Check system logs and any alerts related to the VM for troubleshooting potential issues.

Overview

Checking a virtual machine involves monitoring its operational status, resource utilization, and performance metrics to ensure it is running optimally.

Platform-Specific Steps

The steps to check a virtual machine may vary depending on the cloud provider.

Common Issues

Be aware of potential issues such as VM not starting, high CPU usage, or insufficient memory.

Watch out for

  • The steps may vary slightly depending on the version of the cloud provider's console.
  • Ensure you have the necessary permissions to access VM details.

FAQ

What should I do if my VM is not running?

Check the VM's status in the management console and review any error messages. You may need to restart the VM or check for resource limits.

How can I improve VM performance?

Consider upgrading the VM's resources, optimizing applications running on it, or checking for any bottlenecks in the network.

Where can I find detailed logs for my VM?

Logs can typically be found in the 'Monitoring' or 'Logs' section of your cloud provider's console, depending on the platform.