How to Use the Command 'qm guest exec-status' (with examples)

The qm guest exec-status command is an essential tool for administrators managing QEMU/KVM virtual machines via the Proxmox Virtual Environment (PVE). This command allows you to check the status of a process ID (pid) that was initiated by the guest-agent inside a virtual machine. By retrieving information about these processes, you can effectively monitor and manage the tasks running within your virtual machines, ensuring they perform optimally and diagnosing any potential issues that arise during their operation.

Use case: Print the Status of a Specific PID

Code:

qm guest exec-status vm_id pid

Motivation:

Understanding why you might want to use this command begins with considering the circumstances of virtual machine management. Virtual machines commonly run multiple processes that applications and services depend on. Using the qm guest exec-status, administrators can inquire about the state of a specific process within a VM. For instance, if you’ve triggered a command inside a VM that isn’t responding or completing as expected, checking the process’s status with this command assists in diagnosing issues or verifying successful execution. This capability is particularly useful in scenarios where automated scripts or applications perform tasks within VMs, and you need to ensure each task completes as intended.

Explanation:

• vm_id: This argument represents the unique identifier of the virtual machine you are targeting. In the Proxmox environment, every VM is assigned a distinct ID, making it crucial to specify the correct vm_id to retrieve accurate information.
• pid: This represents the process ID of the command executed within the targeted VM. Each process initiated by the guest-agent will have a unique pid, and using this allows you to zero in on one specific process to examine its status.

Example Output:

When you execute this command, the output provides details about the specified process, such as its current status (e.g., running, completed, or failed). Here is a sample output:

{
  "exit-code": null,
  "exited": false,
  "out-data": "",
  "out-truncated": false,
  "err-data": "",
  "err-truncated": false,
  "signal": null,
  "status": "running"
}

This output indicates that the command is still running and hasn’t exited yet. You would also get additional feedback on the command’s stdout and stderr, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of its execution status.

Conclusion:

The qm guest exec-status command is a valuable asset for virtual machine administrators aiming to maintain robust oversight over execution processes within VMs. By delving into the specific status of individual processes, you gain a deeper comprehension and control over the operational state and reliability of your virtual environments. Whether troubleshooting incomplete tasks, confirming command success, or overseeing task automation within VMs, this command stands out as a fundamental tool in the efficient management of a modern virtualized infrastructure.