Configuring Zabbix step by step

Configuring Zabbix step by step involves multiple stages, including installation, database setup, frontend configuration, and adding hosts. Below is a detailed guide:

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Step 1: Install Required Packages

Before installing Zabbix, ensure your system is updated:

bash
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y  # For Debian/Ubuntu
sudo yum update -y                     # For RHEL/CentOS

Install required dependencies:

bash
sudo apt install apache2 php php-mysql mariadb-server -y  # Debian/Ubuntu
sudo yum install httpd php php-mysql mariadb-server -y    # RHEL/CentOS

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Step 2: Install Zabbix Server, Frontend, and Agent

For Debian/Ubuntu:

bash
wget https://repo.zabbix.com/zabbix/6.0/ubuntu/pool/main/z/zabbix-release/zabbix-release_6.0-1+ubuntu$(lsb_release -rs)_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i zabbix-release_6.0-1+ubuntu$(lsb_release -rs)_all.deb
sudo apt update
sudo apt install zabbix-server-mysql zabbix-frontend-php zabbix-apache-conf zabbix-sql-scripts zabbix-agent -y

For RHEL/CentOS:

bash
rpm -Uvh https://repo.zabbix.com/zabbix/6.0/rhel/$(rpm -E %{rhel})/x86_64/zabbix-release-6.0-1.el$(rpm -E %{rhel}).noarch.rpm
yum clean all
yum install zabbix-server-mysql zabbix-web-mysql zabbix-apache-conf zabbix-agent -y

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Step 3: Configure the Database

Start MariaDB

bash
sudo systemctl start mariadb
sudo systemctl enable mariadb

Secure the Database

Run the following command to set a root password and remove unnecessary settings:

bash
sudo mysql_secure_installation

Create the Zabbix Database

bash
mysql -u root -p

Inside MySQL, run:

sql
CREATE DATABASE zabbix CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_bin;
CREATE USER 'zabbix'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'StrongPassword';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON zabbix.* TO 'zabbix'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Import the Default Schema

bash
zcat /usr/share/zabbix-sql-scripts/mysql/server.sql.gz | mysql -u zabbix -p zabbix

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Step 4: Configure Zabbix Server

Edit the Zabbix configuration file:

bash
sudo nano /etc/zabbix/zabbix_server.conf

Set the database credentials:

ini
DBHost=localhost
DBName=zabbix
DBUser=zabbix
DBPassword=StrongPassword

Save and exit (CTRL+X, then Y and Enter).

Restart and enable the Zabbix service:

bash
sudo systemctl restart zabbix-server zabbix-agent
sudo systemctl enable zabbix-server zabbix-agent

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Step 5: Configure Apache for Zabbix Frontend

Edit PHP settings:

bash
sudo nano /etc/zabbix/apache.conf

Modify the timezone:

nginxCopyEditphp_value date.timezone Europe/London  # Change to your timezone

Save and exit.

Restart Apache:

bash
sudo systemctl restart apache2  # Debian/Ubuntu
sudo systemctl restart httpd     # RHEL/CentOS

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Step 6: Access Zabbix Web Interface

1. Open a browser and navigate to: arduinoCopyEdithttp://<your-server-ip>/zabbix
2. Follow the setup wizard:
   • Check prerequisites.
   • Enter database details.
   • Configure the frontend.
   • Confirm settings.
3. Log in using: makefileCopyEditUsername: Admin Password: zabbix

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Step 7: Add a Host for Monitoring

1. Go to Configuration → Hosts.
2. Click Create Host.
3. Enter the hostname and IP address of the monitored machine.
4. Assign the appropriate Zabbix Agent template.
5. Click Add.

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Step 8: Install Zabbix Agent on Client Machines

For Debian/Ubuntu Clients

bash
wget https://repo.zabbix.com/zabbix/6.0/ubuntu/pool/main/z/zabbix-release/zabbix-release_6.0-1+ubuntu$(lsb_release -rs)_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i zabbix-release_6.0-1+ubuntu$(lsb_release -rs)_all.deb
sudo apt update
sudo apt install zabbix-agent -y

For RHEL/CentOS Clients

bash
rpm -Uvh https://repo.zabbix.com/zabbix/6.0/rhel/$(rpm -E %{rhel})/x86_64/zabbix-release-6.0-1.el$(rpm -E %{rhel}).noarch.rpm
yum clean all
yum install zabbix-agent -y

Configure Zabbix Agent

Edit the configuration file:

bash
sudo nano /etc/zabbix/zabbix_agentd.conf

Set:

iniCopyEditServer=<Zabbix_Server_IP>

Restart the agent:

bash
sudo systemctl restart zabbix-agent
sudo systemctl enable zabbix-agent

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Step 9: Enable Auto Discovery (Optional)

1. Go to Configuration → Discovery.
2. Click Create Discovery Rule.
3. Define:
   • IP Range (e.g., 192.168.1.0/24)
   • Check Type (Zabbix agent, SNMP, etc.)
4. Add actions to automatically add hosts.

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Step 10: Configure Email Alerts

1. Go to Administration → Media Types.
2. Select Email and configure SMTP.
3. Add actions under Configuration → Actions to send alerts.

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Step 11: Optimize Performance

1. Tune database settings in /etc/mysql/mariadb.conf.d/50-server.cnf (or /etc/my.cnf for RHEL).
2. Set up a proxy for distributed monitoring.
3. Use Preprocessing Rules to reduce data storage.

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Step 12: Monitor & Maintain

• Regularly check logs: bashCopyEdittail -f /var/log/zabbix/zabbix_server.log
• Update Zabbix: bashCopyEditsudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y # Debian/Ubuntu sudo yum update -y # RHEL/CentOS
• Backup Zabbix Database: bashCopyEditmysqldump -u root -p zabbix > /backup/zabbix_backup.sql

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Congratulations! 🎉 You have successfully configured Zabbix!