How to Install Netdata on Linux

Netdata is a high-performance, real-time system monitoring tool that provides essential metrics to help you track your server or system health effectively. This guide will walk you through the process of installing Netdata on a Linux system.

Prerequisites

• A Linux server with standard user privileges
• Basic command-line knowledge
• An internet connection

Netdata is supported on most Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, CentOS, and Debian.

Step-by-Step Installation Instructions

1. Update Your System

Before installing Netdata, it’s essential to ensure your system packages are up to date. Open a terminal and run the following commands:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

or for CentOS:

sudo yum update -y

2. Download and Run the Netdata Installer

To install Netdata, execute the following command in your terminal:

bash <(curl -Ss https://my-netdata.io/kickstart.sh)

This script will automatically download, compile, and install Netdata. It’s an interactive script, so you may be prompted to confirm or input information during the installation process.

3. Access the Netdata Dashboard

Once installed, Netdata starts its service and runs it on port 19999. To check whether it is running, enter the following command:

systemctl status netdata

You can now access the Netdata dashboard by opening a web browser and navigating to http://your-server-ip:19999.

4. Securing Your Netdata Instance

It is crucial to restrict access to your Netdata interface to avoid unauthorized access. You can configure a firewall tool like ufw (Official site) to limit access:

sudo ufw allow from <your-ip> to any port 19999

Replace <your-ip> with your local IP address. This command restricts access on port 19999 to your IP.

Troubleshooting

• Firewall Issues: Ensure port 19999 is open in your firewall settings.
• Service Not Running: Restart the Netdata service using sudo service netdata restart.

Summary Checklist

• Updated your system packages
• Installed Netdata using the one-liner script
• Accessed Netdata dashboard via http://your-server-ip:19999
• Configured firewall to secure Netdata

With Netdata up and running, you have a powerful tool to monitor your system metrics in real-time, aiding more advanced monitoring setups if required.