The priority key specifies the scheduling priority of the xAgent process for acquisitions. Valid values are highest, high, above, normal, below, and idle. The default is idle.
Important
Trellix recommends that you use the Web UI to change the priority scheduling setting in the Agent Default Policy to NORMAL immediately after you upgrade your Endpoint Security (HX) server to version 4.5.0 or later.
Note
Priority Scheduling for xAgent processes is only supported on Trellix Endpoint Security (HX) version 4.5 or later.
The table below defines the base priority settings available for xAgent processes.
xAgent Process Base Priority Settings | Description | Base Priority Class by Operating System | |
|---|---|---|---|
Windows | macOS/Linux | ||
IDLE | xAgent process threads are prioritized at the lowest base priority and will only run when the CPU is idle. All other process threads run at a higher priority. An IDLE setting will also result in longer I/O delays for agent processing. ImportantIDLE is the default priority scheduling setting assigned to agent process threads. Trellix recommends that you use the Web UI to change the priority scheduling setting in the Agent Default Policy to NORMAL immediately after you upgrade your Endpoint Security (HX) server to version 4.5.0 or later. | IDLE_PRIORITY_CLASS | 19 |
BELOW NORMAL | The operating system prioritizes agent process threads above process threads with an IDLE base priority but below process threads with a NORMAL base priority. | BELOW_NORMAL_PRIORITY_CLASS | 5 |
NORMAL | The operating system does not assign agent process threads any special scheduling needs. | NORMAL_PRIORITY_CLASS | 0 |
ABOVE NORMAL | The operating system prioritizes agent process threads above process threads with a NORMAL base priority but below process threads with a HIGH base priority. | ABOVE_NORMAL_PRIORITY_CLASS | -5 |
HIGH | xAgent process threads preempt process threads with a ABOVE NORMAL, NORMAL, or IDLE base priority. Process threads assigned a HIGH base priority are considered time-critical tasks and must be executed immediately. ImportantTrellix does not recommend setting the priority scheduling value for xAgent process threads to HIGH. Process threads with a HIGH base priority may use nearly all of the available CPU time on your host endpoint. | HIGH_PRIORITY_CLASS | -10 |
HIGHEST | xAgent process threads are given the highest base priority and preempt process threads assigned all other base priority levels and important process tasks performed by the operating system. | REALTIME_PRIORITY_CLASS | -20 |
The priority setting should be listed within quotation marks ("). Enclose the full list of process settings in braces ({}). See the example below.
"process":
{
"cpu_limit": 100,
deny_local_admin_stop: true
"priority": "idle",
"protection_enabled": true,
"uninstall_password": "QxLUF1bgIAdeQXyy:326354F3E06CABB2A9CDC97ABCC2FADE1686EC6656EF3B20415F5569EED79E04"
}
Change this setting using one of the following methods:
Web UI (see Setting the Priority Schedule for Agent Processes).
API custom configuration channels (see Using API Custom Configuration Channels).
Manually on individual endpoints using a text editor (see Modifying the Configuration File for a Single Endpoint).