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suspend command in Linux

The Linux suspend command is used to pause system activity, allowing the computer to enter a low-power state while keeping its current state intact. This can be useful for saving power on laptops or desktops when not in use. By suspending the system, users can quickly resume their work without having to shut down and restart the computer. The command can be executed from the terminal and typically requires administrative privileges to function properly.

suspend Syntax:

Terminal window
systemctl suspend

Linux suspend Options:

OptionDescription
NoneThere are no options for the suspend command.

suspend Parameters:

ParameterDescription
NoneThere are no parameters for the suspend command.

How to use suspend command:

Suspend the system

Terminal window
sudo systemctl suspend

Suspends the system, putting it into a low power state.

Suspend with system sleep command

Terminal window
systemctl suspend

Puts the system into a suspended state using the “systemctl” command.

Suspend using pm-suspend command

Terminal window
sudo pm-suspend

Suspend the system using the “pm-suspend” command.

Suspend with hibernate option

Terminal window
sudo pm-suspend-hybrid

Suspends the system in a way that allows for a faster wake-up time compared to a full hibernation.

Suspend and lock screen

Terminal window
gnome-screensaver-command -l && systemctl suspend

Locks the screen before suspending the system.

Suspend without sudo

Terminal window
dbus-send --system --print-reply --dest="org.freedesktop.UPower" /org/freedesktop/UPower org.freedesktop.UPower.Suspend

Suspend the system without using “sudo”.

Suspend and set a wake-up timer

Terminal window
echo '0' | sudo tee /sys/class/rtc/rtc0/wakealarm && sudo sh -c echo `date '+%s' -d '+ 360 minutes'` > /sys/class/rtc/rtc0/wakealarm && sudo systemctl suspend

Sets a wake-up timer before suspending the system.

Suspend and shutdown after a specific time

Terminal window
echo 'Shutdown in 30 minutes' | sudo tee /etc/systemd/system/shutdownmessage && sudo echo -e '[Unit]\nDescription=Shutdown in 30 minutes\n[Service]\nType=oneshot\nExecStart=/bin/sh -c "/sbin/shutdown now"\n[Install]\nWantedBy=multi-user.target' | sudo tee /etc/systemd/system/shutdownin30min.service && sudo systemctl enable shutdownin30min && sudo systemctl start shutdownin30min && sudo systemctl suspend

Sets the system to suspend and shutdown after a specific time duration.

How do I use suspend in Linux?

To use the suspend command in Linux, execute the following command:

Terminal window
suspend --option <value>

What are the options available for the suspend command in bash?

The suspend command in bash supports various options. One common option is to suspend a process by its process ID (PID). Here is an example of how to suspend a process by PID:

Terminal window
suspend -p <PID>

Can I suspend multiple processes simultaneously with the suspend command?

Yes, you can suspend multiple processes simultaneously using the suspend command in bash. To suspend multiple processes, you can specify multiple PIDs separated by spaces. Here is an example of how to suspend multiple processes by their PIDs:

Terminal window
suspend -p <PID1> <PID2> <PID3>

How can I resume a suspended process using the suspend command?

To resume a suspended process using the suspend command, you can use the -r option followed by the PID of the process you want to resume. Here is an example of how to resume a suspended process by PID:

Terminal window
suspend -r <PID>

Is it possible to suspend a process by its name using the suspend command in Linux?

Yes, you can suspend a process by its name using the suspend command in Linux. To suspend a process by its name, you can use the -n option followed by the process name. Here is an example of how to suspend a process by name:

Terminal window
suspend -n <process_name>

How can I list all the processes that are currently suspended using the suspend command?

To list all the processes that are currently suspended using the suspend command, you can use the -l option. This will display a list of all suspended processes along with their PIDs. Here is an example of how to list all suspended processes:

Terminal window
suspend -l

Can I specify a custom signal to send to a process when suspending it with the suspend command?

Yes, you can specify a custom signal to send to a process when suspending it using the suspend command. You can use the -s option followed by the signal number or name. Here is an example of how to send a custom signal to suspend a process:

Terminal window
suspend -s <signal> <PID>

How do I suspend a process and prevent it from being terminated upon resuming?

You can suspend a process and prevent it from being terminated upon resuming by using the -k option in the suspend command. This will keep the process alive even after resuming. Here is an example of how to suspend a process without termination:

Terminal window
suspend -k <PID>

Applications of the suspend command

  • To suspend the system and put it into a low power state
  • To save power consumption on portable devices
  • To easily and quickly switch the system to a sleep mode
  • To allow for quick resumption of the system from the suspended state