The jps tool is a Java-specific version of the UNIX ps tool. It can be used to obtain a list of all Java processes currently running and their respective process identifiers. When invoked by a non-root user, it will list only Java processes running as that user. When invoked by a root user, then it lists all Java processes on the system.

This tool can be used to see if the Directory Proxy Server is running and if a process ID has been assigned to it. This process ID can be used in conjunction with other tools to perform further analysis.

This tool can be run without any arguments, but some of the more useful arguments that include:
  • -v – Includes the arguments passed to the JVM for the processes that are listed.
  • -m – Includes the arguments passed to the main method for the processes that are listed.
  • -l – (lowercase L). Include the fully qualified name for the main class rather than only the base class name.