How to monitor Linux servers with help of Checkmk – Guide
As a system / network administrator, it’s your job to keep tabs on the Linux servers in your data center. With so many tools available, it can be hard to know where to start. Checkmk is one software package you should consider – it’s designed specifically for monitoring these servers.
Checkmk offers a comprehensive monitoring solution, with a web-based GUI dashboard that allows you to keep tabs on your servers, desktops, applications, networks and cloud environments.
Installing Checkmk and adding a monitoring agent on Ubuntu Server 20.04 is a straightforward process. The software also supports Debian and RHEL based distributions.
Start monitoring with Checkmk
It’s time to access Checkmk through your web browser. Each Checkmk website has its own URL, which is composed of the IP address or hostname of the monitoring server and the name of the Checkmk website. For example, a Checkmk installation can be found at monitoring-host-server/checkmk_demo/.
Visit your Checkmk website by opening the link provided in your browser.
Log in to the cmkadmin account with the password obtained from the terminal.
After logging in, users will be presented with an empty dashboard.
To change your password, go to the User category in the left sidebar and select “Change Password” under Profile.
Monitoring configuration
Checkmk offers multiple approaches to server monitoring, with the most effective being the use of its agents. To get started, install an agent before adding a server.
To access Configuration, click the sprocket-shaped button in the left sidebar.
This control panel allows users to configure and monitor their systems, with some differences between Raw Edition and Enterprise Edition. All screenshots in this article are from the open source Raw Edition.
Choose a Click Agents package tailored to your OS.
Linux users can access agents in both RPM and DEB formats.
Get the agent up and running on your monitoring host by downloading and installing it.
To verify the agent’s performance, run the check_mk_agent command on your server endpoint.
Adding a host
To complete the installation, return to the Setup screen and select Hosts.
To ensure your server is properly identified, add its name to the Hostname field.
Checkmk can automatically resolve IP addresses to hostnames on your network if DNS is set up. If not, you can manually add the IP address and choose any hostname you want by checking the box next to IPv4 Address. All other areas should remain unchanged.
Go to service configuration and Checkmk will automatically discover all relevant monitoring services on the host, listing them as Undecided services. Additionally, labels will be added based on the device type.
Click Fix All to quickly and easily monitor all services and host labels, removing any missing ones.
Host monitoring fix
Click the yellow exclamation point in the upper right corner to activate your changes, and you’ll have added the first server to your monitor.
Checkmk provides a secure environment for monitoring by requiring explicit activation of changes. In the Setup area, users can manage hosts, services and settings without affecting monitoring. However, all changes are listed in the Pending Changes section so they can be reviewed before being activated and put into production in the Monitor area.
SNMP monitoring
Network monitoring is essential, and here’s how to do it: enable the SNMP agent on the device you want to monitor and make sure the Checkmk server can access it.
Navigate to the “Hosts” section of the Setup page and click the “Add host” button to add a new host.
Users must provide the hostname and IP address when prompted.
Checkmk automatically assumes you’re using its agent, so you’ll need to make changes in the Monitoring Agents section.
Enable the SNMP checkbox and select the appropriate version, typically either v2 or v3.
Checkmk assumes the SNMP community is public, so you can leave the SNMP credentials box unchecked. If not, you must check it and add your credentials.
Clicking ‘Save’ will allow Checkmk to discover all currently online interfaces, uptime and SNMP verification information.
Checkmk can detect additional monitoring services when a plugin is available for the device type.
Press the “Fix All” button and accept the modifications.
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Final note
You can use Checkmk to monitor Linux servers. If you have any questions, please reach out to us. Share this article with your friends and show your support!
