If a server's network performance is normal after a reboot but deteriorates over time, what is a likely troubleshooting step?

When a server’s network performance is normal immediately after a reboot but deteriorates over time, analyzing running services is a logical troubleshooting step. This behavior often indicates that something is causing resource exhaustion after the system has been running for a while.

By examining the services running on the server, you can identify if specific applications or processes are consuming excessive CPU, memory, or network bandwidth over time, leading to degraded performance. It's also possible that certain services could be experiencing memory leaks or conflicts that do not become apparent until the server has been operating for a period. This analysis can help pinpoint resource-hogging services or misconfigured applications.

While checking network interface cards, evaluating disk usage, and reviewing system logs for errors are all valuable troubleshooting steps in different contexts, they may not directly address the specific symptom of performance deterioration over time. In this scenario, focusing on the analysis of running services is key to understanding and resolving the performance issue effectively.