Master Your Linux Network

Deploying a tool of monitoring for a server, network, or device can become expensive and complex. The market has several contracted service solutions that end up being costly in the long term, and there are simpler and more efficient software solutions that can bring good results with well-trained IT professionals. A good example among these services is Zabbix. In this post you will learn a little more about Zabbix, how it works with server monitoring, and understand why it is important to know how to take advantage of this software. Follow along!

What is Zabbix?

Zabbix is an open source tool that works primarily on Unix-like servers, such as those running Linux, and is used for monitoring networks and services, being able to perform performance analysis, user experience analysis, and allowing software administration via web. Zabbix can also be configured to perform monitoring of mobile phones - including iOS, Android, and Windows Phone systems - and is interesting for IT services because it can also perform automatic actions according to specific events, generating automatic metrics of the overall system, or just of the monitored machines, through the use of agents (programs installed on machines that send information about usage to the server). For this to be possible, Zabbix works with 3 main modules in the monitoring system: the Zabbix Server, Zabbix Proxy, and Zabbix Agent.

Zabbix Server

The server module of Zabbix is the central part of the software and is the only module that can only be installed on Linux or Unix systems. It is the one that collects data sent by the agents present on the machines and also monitors all network traffic. The system that is accessed via web is installed on the Zabbix Server module, and when it detects some problem or abnormality on the network, alerts are generated so that the problems can be checked. To help understand network failures and what can be improved, the Zabbix Server also stores data about all the analyses performed in a database, creating a history that can generate graphs and dashboards to inform the IT team.

Zabbix Proxy

The installation of the proxy module of Zabbix is optional, but it is the one that performs the monitoring of the network where it is installed, collects performance and access data, and sends the information to the Zabbix Server. The proxy module is usually used in cases when control and analysis of remote networks - such as branches of a company - becomes necessary, and the software can execute its tasks without network administrators being required in different locations.

Zabbix Agent

The Zabbix Agent is a small software installed on the machines that will be monitored. The program monitors local performance - such as hard disk usage, memory consumption, processor usage, and errors that occurred - and sends the collected data to the Zabbix Server, in addition to alerting the team in case of any problem. The use of the Zabbix Agent is important so that the company can perform proper maintenance of the equipment, avoiding higher costs, and so that it can optimize its systems. Because it is used on a great diversity of computers, the Zabbix Agent can be installed on most operating systems, such as: Windows, OS X, Linux, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX, and others.

Understand how to use Zabbix

To ensure efficient learning, it is important to take courses that prepare the team for the use of Zabbix in monitoring a company. With an open source platform, it is open to changes and works on different types of systems, offers a completely accessible tool via web, and can monitor different types of hardware. Want to learn how to use Zabbix? Check out our course! Learn much more about Linux in our online course. You can enroll here with a 7-day free trial. If you already have an account, you can access here.

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