Installing Zabbix on Ubuntu Server: A Complete Guide

Get Ready to Monitore Your Network with Zabbix

If you’re looking for a powerful and reliable tool to monitor your network and systems, Zabbix is the perfect choice. With its user-friendly interface and wide range of features, Zabbix enables you to track performance, availability, and other critical metrics in real-time.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to install Zabbix on Ubuntu Server step-by-step. If you’re new to Zabbix or Ubuntu, don’t worry – we’ll explain everything you need to know along the way. By the end of this article, you’ll have a fully functional Zabbix installation up and running on your Ubuntu Server.

Getting Started: Prerequisites

Before we begin, let’s make sure your Ubuntu Server meets the minimum requirements for installing Zabbix.

Component	Minimum Requirement
CPU	2 GHz dual-core
RAM	2 GB
Storage	20 GB
Operating System	Ubuntu Server 20.04 LTS
Network Connection	Active and stable

If your server meets these requirements, you’re ready to proceed.

Step 1: Update Ubuntu Packages

Before installing Zabbix, we need to make sure Ubuntu is up-to-date. Open a terminal on your server and run the following command:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

This command will update all the packages on your Ubuntu Server to the latest version.

Step 2: Install Apache, PHP, and MariaDB

Zabbix requires a web server, PHP, and a database to run. We’ll install Apache, PHP, and MariaDB using the following command:

sudo apt-get install apache2 php mariadb-server mariadb-client libapache2-mod-php php-mysql

This command will install all the necessary components.

Step 3: Configure MariaDB

Now that we have MariaDB installed, we need to secure it and create a new database for Zabbix. Run the following command:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

Follow the prompts to secure MariaDB. Then, log in to MariaDB using root credentials:

sudo mysql -u root -p

Next, create a new database for Zabbix:

CREATE DATABASE zabbix CHARACTER SET utf8 COLLATE utf8_bin;

Create a new user and grant privileges to the Zabbix database:

CREATE USER ‘zabbix’@’localhost’ IDENTIFIED BY ‘password’;

GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON zabbix.* TO ‘zabbix’@’localhost’ WITH GRANT OPTION;

Replace ‘password’ with your chosen password for the Zabbix user.

Step 4: Install Zabbix

Now we’re ready to install Zabbix. Add the Zabbix repository to your Ubuntu Server using the following command:

wget https://repo.zabbix.com/zabbix/5.4/ubuntu/pool/main/z/zabbix-release/zabbix-release_5.4-1+ubuntu20.04_all.deb

sudo dpkg -i zabbix-release_5.4-1+ubuntu20.04_all.deb

Update the package cache:

sudo apt-get update

Finally, install Zabbix server, frontend, and agent:

sudo apt-get install zabbix-server-mysql zabbix-frontend-php zabbix-apache-conf zabbix-agent

During the installation, you will need to provide the database details we created earlier.

Step 5: Configure Zabbix

Now that we have Zabbix installed, we need to configure it. Open a browser and navigate to your server’s IP address followed by “/zabbix.”

For example, if your server’s IP address is 192.168.0.10, enter “http://192.168.0.10/zabbix” in your browser.

You will be redirected to the Zabbix setup page. Follow the prompts to configure Zabbix.

Advantages of Zabbix

Zabbix provides many advantages, including:

Real-time Monitoring

Zabbix monitors your systems and network in real-time, allowing you to quickly identify and resolve issues.

User-friendly Interface

Zabbix provides a user-friendly interface that makes monitoring and troubleshooting easy. You can customize dashboards, widgets, and more to suit your needs.

Wide Range of Features

Zabbix offers a wide range of features, including performance tracking, event management, alerting, and reporting.

Disadvantages of Zabbix

Zabbix also has some disadvantages, including:

Steep Learning Curve

Initially, Zabbix can be overwhelming for new users due to its extensive features and options. It may take some time to become comfortable with the system.

Resource Intensive

Zabbix can be resource-intensive, especially if you’re monitoring a large number of systems and network devices. Make sure your server meets the minimum requirements and has enough resources to handle the load.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Zabbix free?

A: Yes, Zabbix is an open-source software licensed under the GPL.

Q: Can Zabbix monitor Windows systems?

A: Yes, Zabbix can monitor Windows systems as well as Linux, Unix, and other operating systems.

Q: Can I customize Zabbix templates?

A: Yes, Zabbix templates can be customized to suit your needs.

Q: Does Zabbix support SNMP?

A: Yes, Zabbix supports SNMP for network device monitoring.

Q: What types of alerts does Zabbix provide?

A: Zabbix provides various types of alerts, including email, SMS, and Jabber notifications.

Q: Can Zabbix integrate with other systems?

A: Yes, Zabbix can integrate with other systems, including Grafana, Elasticsearch, and more.

Q: Can Zabbix monitor cloud services?

A: Yes, Zabbix can monitor cloud services such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

Q: How can I troubleshoot Zabbix issues?

A: Zabbix provides extensive logging and troubleshooting options. Check the log files and Zabbix documentation for guidance.

Q: Is Zabbix suitable for large enterprises?

A: Yes, Zabbix is suitable for large enterprises due to its scalability and robust feature set.

Q: Can I monitor Docker containers with Zabbix?

A: Yes, Zabbix can monitor Docker containers along with the host system.

Q: Is Zabbix suitable for beginners?

A: Zabbix can be challenging for beginners due to its extensive features and options. However, with some patience and effort, it can be learned.

Q: Can I use Zabbix for security monitoring?

A: Yes, Zabbix can be used for security monitoring as well as system and network monitoring.

Q: Does Zabbix support IPv6?

A: Yes, Zabbix supports IPv6 for network monitoring.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You now have Zabbix installed and ready to use on your Ubuntu Server. Zabbix provides extensive monitoring capabilities and can help you keep your systems and network running smoothly.

Remember to keep your server up-to-date and monitor its performance to ensure optimal Zabbix performance.

If you have any questions or run into issues, refer to the Zabbix documentation or visit the Zabbix community forums for assistance.

Thank you for reading and happy monitoring!

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only. The author and publisher assume no responsibility for any damages or losses incurred by following the instructions in this guide. Always make backups and proceed with caution when making changes to your system.

Video:install zabbix ubuntu server