Install Metricbeat | Linux Configuration Made Easy

To improve the monitoring of server metrics at IOFLOOD, we setup a Metricbeat configuration on one of our custom server configurations. Once installed we monitored how Metricbeat, part of the Elastic Stack, collects and ships metrics from your systems and services. We have written our findings in today’s article to inform our customers and other developers on the results of our tests.

In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to install Metricbeat Linux command. We will show you methods for both APT and YUM-based distributions, delve into compiling Metricbeat from source, installing a specific version, and finally, how to use the Metricbeat command and ensure it’s installed correctly.

So, let’s dive in and begin installing Metricbeat on your Linux system!

TL;DR: What Commands Can Install Metricbeat Linux?

Install Metricbeat on Linux by downloading it from the official Elastic website with, curl -L -O https://artifacts.elastic.co/downloads/beats/metricbeat/metricbeat-7.14.0-amd64.deb. You will then install it using either the dpkg command (for Debian-based distributions) or the rpm command (for Red Hat-based distributions). Here’s an example:

curl -L -O https://artifacts.elastic.co/downloads/beats/metricbeat/metricbeat-7.14.0-amd64.deb

# For Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu
sudo dpkg -i metricbeat-7.14.0-amd64.deb

# For Red Hat-based distributions like CentOS
sudo rpm -vi metricbeat-7.14.0-x86_64.rpm

This is a basic way to install Metricbeat on Linux, but there’s much more to learn about installing and using Metricbeat. Continue reading for more detailed information and advanced usage scenarios.

Metricbeat Configuration and Install

Metricbeat is a lightweight, open-source shipper that you can install on your servers to collect metrics from the operating system and from services running on the server. It’s a part of the Elastic Stack (previously known as ELK Stack) and is handy for diagnosing performance issues, identifying security threats, and understanding user behavior.

Install Metricbeat with APT

For Debian-based Linux distributions like Ubuntu, you can use the Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) to install Metricbeat. Here’s how:

# Update your package lists
sudo apt-get update

# Install Metricbeat
sudo apt-get install metricbeat

After running these commands, Metricbeat is installed and ready to be configured.

Install Metricbeat with YUM

For Red Hat-based Linux distributions like CentOS or Fedora, you can use the Yellowdog Updater, Modified (YUM) to install Metricbeat. Here’s how:

# Update your package lists
sudo yum check-update

# Install Metricbeat
sudo yum install metricbeat

Similar to the APT method, after running these commands, Metricbeat is installed and ready to be configured.

Metricbeat Install with Zypper

For SUSE-based Linux distributions, you can use the Zypper to install Metricbeat. Here’s how:

# Update your package lists
sudo zypper refresh

# Install Metricbeat
sudo zypper install metricbeat

After running these commands, Metricbeat is installed and ready to be configured. Remember, irrespective of the package manager you use, it’s important to configure Metricbeat to suit your specific needs, which we will discuss in the upcoming sections.

Install Metricbeat from Source Code

Sometimes, you may want to install Metricbeat from source. This can give you more control over the installation process and allow you to use the latest features that may not be available in the packaged versions. Here’s how to do it:

# First, clone the Beats repository

git clone https://github.com/elastic/beats.git

# Navigate into the Metricbeat directory

cd beats/metricbeat

# Build Metricbeat

make

This will download the source code and build Metricbeat on your system. Note that you’ll need to have Go installed to build Metricbeat.

Install Different Versions: Metricbeat

From Source

If you need to install a specific version of Metricbeat from source, you can do so by checking out the appropriate tag in the Git repository:

# Navigate into the Metricbeat directory

cd beats/metricbeat

# Check out the specific version

git checkout v7.14.0

# Build Metricbeat

make

This will build the specified version of Metricbeat on your system.

Using Package Managers

If you’re using a package manager like apt or yum, you can also install specific versions of Metricbeat. Here’s how:

# For apt

sudo apt-get install metricbeat=7.14.0

# For yum

sudo yum install metricbeat-7.14.0

These commands will install the specified version of Metricbeat on your system.

Version Comparison

Use and Verify Metricbeat Install

Basic Usage

Once you’ve installed Metricbeat, you can start it with the following command:

sudo service metricbeat start

This will start Metricbeat, which will begin collecting system metrics.

Verifying Metricbeat Installation

You can verify that Metricbeat is running correctly with the following command:

sudo service metricbeat status

This should give you output indicating that Metricbeat is running correctly. If there are any issues, the output should give you clues as to what’s going wrong.

Alternate Tools to Elastic Metricbeat

While Metricbeat provides a comprehensive approach to system monitoring, there are other alternatives worth considering. Let’s explore some of them.

Other Beats

Elastic offers a variety of Beats, each offering different monitoring capabilities. For instance, Filebeat collects and ships log files, while Packetbeat captures network traffic.

To install Filebeat, use the following commands:

# For Debian-based distributions
sudo apt-get install filebeat

# For Red Hat-based distributions
sudo yum install filebeat

Nagios

Nagios is a powerful, enterprise-grade monitoring tool. It provides complete monitoring of servers, switches, applications, and services.

To install Nagios, use the following commands:

# For Debian-based distributions
sudo apt-get install nagios3

# For Red Hat-based distributions
sudo yum install nagios

Comparison of Monitoring Tools

While Metricbeat is a fantastic tool for system monitoring, it’s important to choose the right tool for your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for a lightweight tool like Metricbeat or an enterprise-grade solution like Nagios, there’s a tool out there that’s right for you.

Troubleshooting Metricbeat Installs

While installing and using Metricbeat on Linux is generally straightforward, you might occasionally encounter issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions.

Issue: Metricbeat Service Not Starting

Sometimes, after installing Metricbeat, the service might not start. You can check the status of the Metricbeat service with the following command:

sudo service metricbeat status

# Output:
# Metricbeat is not running

If the Metricbeat service is not running, you can try starting it with the following command:

sudo service metricbeat start

Issue: Metricbeat Not Collecting Data

If Metricbeat is running but not collecting data, it could be due to misconfiguration. Check your Metricbeat configuration file (typically located at /etc/metricbeat/metricbeat.yml) for any errors.

You can also test your configuration with the following command:

sudo metricbeat test config

# Output:
# Config OK

This command will tell you if your configuration is OK or if there are any errors.

Issue: Metricbeat Not Sending Data to Elasticsearch

If Metricbeat is collecting data but not sending it to Elasticsearch, it could be due to network issues or misconfiguration. Check your Elasticsearch server’s status and ensure that Metricbeat’s Elasticsearch output configuration is correct.

You can test the Elasticsearch output with the following command:

sudo metricbeat test output

# Output:
# elasticsearch: http://localhost:9200...
#   parse url... OK
#   connection...
#     parse host... OK
#     dns lookup... OK
#     addresses: 127.0.0.1
#     dial up... OK
#   TLS... WARN secure connection disabled
#   talk to server... OK
#   version: 7.14.0

This command will tell you if Metricbeat can successfully send data to Elasticsearch.

Remember, troubleshooting is a common part of working with any software. Don’t be discouraged if you run into issues while installing or using Metricbeat. With the right approach, you can solve most problems and get back to monitoring your system in no time.

Value of Metricbeat Configuration

System monitoring is a critical aspect of any Linux system administration. It involves keeping an eye on your system’s resources, including CPU usage, memory consumption, disk usage, and network traffic. Regular monitoring can help identify potential issues, optimize performance, and ensure your system’s overall health.

Why is System Monitoring Important?

System monitoring is akin to a regular health check-up for your system. It enables you to:

• Detect issues early: Regular monitoring can help identify potential problems before they escalate, such as an application consuming excessive memory.

• Optimize performance: By understanding how your system resources are used, you can make informed decisions to optimize your system’s performance.

• Maintain system health: Regular monitoring can ensure your system is running smoothly and help maintain its overall health.

System Monitoring with Metricbeat

Metricbeat is a lightweight shipper that you can install on your servers to periodically collect metrics from the operating system and from services running on the server. It takes the metrics and statistics it collects and ships them to the output that you specify, such as Elasticsearch or Logstash.

To illustrate, let’s use a code block to display the system’s memory usage using Metricbeat:

# Configure Metricbeat to use system module
metricbeat modules enable system

# Start Metricbeat
sudo service metricbeat start

# Verify data is being sent
metricbeat -e

# Output:
# metricbeat.go:15: INFO Setup Beat: metricbeat; Version: 7.14.0
# ... (trimmed)
# system/memory.go:38: INFO Total non-zero values:  system.memory.actual.used.bytes=6.4e+09 system.memory.actual.used.pct=0.4033

In this example, we’re enabling the system module, which collects system-level metrics, starting Metricbeat, and then checking that data is being sent to Elasticsearch. The output shows the total non-zero values for the actual used memory in bytes and as a percentage of the total memory.

Understanding these underlying concepts and the importance of system monitoring can provide a solid foundation for using tools like Metricbeat effectively.

The Role of Metricbeat in Linux

System monitoring is not just a task for system administrators. In the modern world of DevOps, where development and operations teams work together to deliver software more reliably and efficiently, system monitoring plays a crucial role.

System Monitoring in DevOps

In a DevOps environment, system monitoring provides critical insights that can enhance collaboration between teams, speed up troubleshooting, and improve the overall quality of software delivery. By continuously monitoring system metrics, teams can identify and fix issues early in the development cycle, reducing the risk of production issues and downtime.

System Monitoring in System Administration

For system administrators, system monitoring is a fundamental task. It helps ensure that all system resources are functioning correctly, that the system is performing optimally, and that potential problems are identified and addressed promptly.

Exploring Related Concepts: Log Analysis and Application Performance Monitoring

While system monitoring provides insights into the operating system and services running on a server, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Other related concepts, such as log analysis and application performance monitoring, provide a more comprehensive view of a system’s health and performance.

Log analysis involves collecting, parsing, and making sense of log data from various sources. It can help identify trends, uncover issues, and provide insights that can improve system performance and security.

Application performance monitoring goes a step further, providing real-time monitoring and management of software applications. It helps identify bottlenecks, reduce downtime, and improve user experience.

Further Resources for Elastic Metricbeat and More

To deepen your understanding of Metricbeat and system monitoring, consider exploring the following resources:

1. Elastic’s Official Metricbeat Documentation: A comprehensive guide to Metricbeat, including installation, configuration, and usage instructions.

2. Linux System Monitoring, Server Health Monitoring, and Network Monitoring Tools: An extensive list of Linux system monitoring tools, including Metricbeat.

3. DevOps Monitoring Deep Dive: An in-depth look at monitoring in a DevOps context, covering system monitoring, log analysis, and more.

Recap: Install Metricbeat Linux

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve traversed the process of installing and using Metricbeat on Linux. We’ve explored how Metricbeat can be a diligent watchman for your system metrics, providing valuable insights into your system’s performance.

We began with the basics, demonstrating how to install Metricbeat using various package managers such as APT, YUM, and Zypper. We then delved into more advanced territory, exploring how to install Metricbeat from source and how to install specific versions of Metricbeat.

Along the way, we navigated through potential issues you might encounter when installing and using Metricbeat and provided solutions to these common problems. We also discussed the importance of system monitoring in Linux, providing a solid foundation for understanding the value of tools like Metricbeat.

We compared Metricbeat with other system monitoring tools, including other Beats like Filebeat and enterprise-grade monitoring tools like Nagios. Here’s a quick comparison of these tools:

Whether you’re a beginner just starting out with Metricbeat or an intermediate user looking to deepen your knowledge, we hope this guide has been a valuable resource in your journey to mastering Metricbeat on Linux.

With its ease of use and flexibility, Metricbeat is an excellent tool for system monitoring on Linux. Now, you’re well-equipped to monitor your system metrics with confidence. Happy monitoring!