How to install and configure zabbix agent on PROXMOX server

1. Install Zabbix repo:

$ wget https://repo.zabbix.com/zabbix/6.4/debian/pool/main/z/zabbix-release/zabbix-release_latest%2Bdebian12_all.deb
$ dpkg -i zabbix-release*
$ apt update

2. Install Zabbix Agent 2:

$ apt install zabbix-agent2 zabbix-agent2-plugin-*

3. Start Zabbix agent 2 process and make it start at system boot:

$ systemctl restart zabbix-agent2
$ systemctl enable zabbix-agent2

4. Check if Zabbix agent is running:

$ systemctl status zabbix-agent2

5. Edit Zabbix agent config files

Now that the agent software is operational. Next step is to edit the Zabbix Agent configuration file and specify the Zabbix server it should connect to:

$ nano /etc/zabbix/zabbix_agent2.conf

Server=Your_Zabbix_server_IP
ServerActive=Your_Zabbix_server_IP
ListenPort=10050
Hostname=Agent_hostname_as_returned_by_hostname_command

5. Restart Zabbix agent for the settings to take effect:

$ systemctl restart zabbix-agent2

6. Configure HOST on Zabbix server side:

Navigate to Configuration >> Hosts and click the Create Host button on the zabbix web interface. When the configuration dialog appears, the Host tab should open by default. Complete the following fields and leave the others unchanged:

Host:
    Host name: Your hostname as returned by hostname command
    Templates: Linux by Zabbix agent and Proxmox VE by HTTP
    Host Groups: Linux Servers
Interfaces:
    Add a new interface
    Type: Agent
    IP Address: Proxmox server IP
    DNS Name: Type the server FQDN or leave empty
    Connect to: Select IP
    Port: 10050
    Description: Anything you want
    Monitored by Proxy: (no proxy)

7. Configure proxmox for Zabbix connection

Now in Proxmox, we have to add the Zabbix user and token.

Datacenter > Permissions > User > Add

User name: zabbix
Realm: Linux PAM
Expire: never
Enabled: checked
First Name: any
Last Name: any

Datacenter > Permissions > Api Tokens > Add

User: Select the created user
Token ID: Any (e.g., Zabbix1)
Privilege separation: checked

After clicking Add, save the Token ID and Secret, as the Secret will no longer be available later.

In Proxmox, add permissions for the user and token
Datacenter > Permissions > Add > User Permission
Fill in:

enter > Permissions > Api Tokens > Add

Path: /

User: Select the created user

Role: PVEAuditor

Propagate: unchecked
---
Path: /nodes

User: Select the created user

Role: PVEAuditor

Propagate: checked
---
Path: /vms

User: Select the created user

Role: PVEAuditor

Propagate: checked
---
Path: /storage

User: Select the created user

Role: PVEAuditor

Propagate: checked

Datacenter > Permissions > Add > Api Token Permission

Set identical permissions for the token as for the user.

8. Adding API to PROXMOX

Return to Zabbix configuration to set the generated Token

Data collection > Hosts > PROXMOX> Macros

{$PVE.TOKEN.ID} value: Token ID
{$PVE.TOKEN.SECRET} value: Secret

That’s it, let’s test it out. Navigate to Monitoring >> Latest data. In the filter section, enter the name of your Proxmox server in the Hosts box, type Proxmox in the Name box, and then click Apply. You should see a list of items related to it, such as Proxmox: API service status, and more.

Enjoy!

Mikolaj.org