Installation

Pandora FMS needs Linux for the server and the Console. It is not officially supported on MS Windows® or any other operating system.

The requirements set out in this table are the minimum recommendations for different installations. These recommendations are calculated assuming that 80% of the Modules have historical data and the average sampling time is five minutes. These recommendations are specified for an environment where Pandora FMS Server and Web Console are installed on the same database server.

These values are approximate and taking as reference an environment with mixed monitoring (software and remote agent) with the default interval of 5 minutes and default data storage. If these values are altered, the requirements may vary.

* * For environments exceeding 80 thousand metrics, a distributed monitoring system using multiple nodes through Command Center should be chosen.

(*) In the case of requiring higher performance per node, there is the possibility to deploy the database on another independent server or even configure the node to connect to an external MySQL database cluster.

All tests and validations are performed with Percona Server for MySQL® 8 (recommended option). Due to the similarities between Percona Server for MySQL® 8 and MySQL® 8 the compatibility between both solutions is complete.

If you have Internet access it is recommended that you perform the online installation using this useful tool.

This method of installation is especially useful when the environment is hosted by cloud providers, although it is not exclusive to these types of environments.

The term “Cloud provider” (or simply “Cloud”) is used to describe the hosting of virtual machines, either exclusively or shared, in specialized providers with hardware, hypervisors and web customer service systems for their configuration. and administration.

Red Hat (RHEL) is recommended as the operating system although it is also officially supported by Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux and Ubuntu (see version table).

To properly size the monitoring environment we recommend going to the section of minimum hardware requirements.

• Have internet access (URL necessary). In addition to these URLs, it is necessary to have access to the official repositories of the distribution used (RHEL / Rocky Linux / Ubuntu Server).
• Have curl installed (it comes by default on most distributions)
• Meet the requirements minimum hardware.
• Be an administrator user root.
• Have a compatible OS.
• In the case of using RHEL 8, it will be necessary to previously activate it with a license and subscribe to the standard repositories.

Although the above run does a full installation of the environment, it is possible to define different switches via environment variables to customize the installation.

• TZ: Defines the time zone (time zone) of the machine, by default it is Europe/Madrid.
• DBHOST: The host of the database, by default DBHOST=127.0.0.1 .
• DBNAME: The name of the database to create, by default DBNAME=pandora.
• DBUSER: The database user to be created, by default DBUSER=pandora .
• DBPASS: The password (password) for the user that will be created, by default DBPASS='Pandor4!' .
• DBPORT: Port number of the database to connect, by default DBPORT=3306.
• DBROOTPASS: Password of the root user of the database, by default DBROOTPASS='Pandor4!' .
• SKIP_PRECHECK: Skip the check if there is already a previous installation of Pandora FMS, useful to create a new database and point the installation to it; by default SKIP_PRECHECK=0.
• SKIP_DATABASE_INSTALL: Skip the database installation, useful when you already have a database installed, either local or remote, and use its credentials to create the Pandora FMS database; defaults to SKIP_DATABASE_INSTALL=0.
• SKIP_KERNEL_OPTIMIZATIONS: Skip recommended kernel optimization, for advanced users only. By default SKIP_KERNEL_OPTIMIZATIONS=0.
• MYVER: Defines the version of MySQL to install, if 80 is defined MySQL 8 will be installed. By default MYVER=80 (deploys MySQL 8.0).
• PHPVER: Defines the version of PHP to install, by default PHPVER=8 (displays PHP 8).
• PANDORA_SERVER_PACKAGE: Defines the URL of the RPM package of the Pandora FMS server that you want to install. By default, the latest available version is defined.
• PANDORA_CONSOLE_PACKAGE: Defines the URL of the Pandora FMS Web Console RPM package that you want to install. By default, the latest available version is defined.
• PANDORA_AGENT_PACKAGE: Defines the URL of the RPM package of the Pandora FMS Software Agent that you want to install. By default, the latest available version is defined.
• PANDORA_BETA: If it is set to 1 the packages of the latest available beta version will be installed (only for test environments). By default PANDORA_BETA=0 (if specific packages are defined, this option is ignored).
• PANDORA_LTS: Installs the latest version of Long Term Support (LTS), a version with maximum stability that incorporates major bug fixes. By default it is active (PANDORA_LTS=1), if it is set to zero it installs the latest regular version, Regular Rolling Release (RRR).

To use these environment variables, it is enough to define them before executing the installation script, for example, in an installation in EL 9 with defined variables, execute the block:

env TZ='Europe/Madrid' \
  DBHOST='127.0.0.1' \
  DBNAME='pandora' \
  DBUSER='pandora' \
  DBPASS='Pandor4!' \
  DBPORT='3306' \
  DBROOTPASS='Pandor4!' \
  MYVER=80 \
  PHPVER=8 \
  SKIP_PRECHECK=0 \
  SKIP_DATABASE_INSTALL=0 \
  SKIP_KERNEL_OPTIMIZATIONS=0 \
 PANDORA_AGENT_PACKAGE="https://firefly.pandorafms.com/pandorafms/latest/pandorafms_one_agent_linux_bin-latest.el9.x86_64.rpm" \
  PANDORA_BETA=0 \
  PANDORA_LTS=1 \
  sh -c "$(curl -fsSL < your_link_for_trial >)"

• TZ: Defines the time zone of the machine, by default it is Europe/Madrid.
• PHPVER: Defines the version of PHP to install. Default PHPVER=8 (displays PHP 8).
• DBHOST: The host of the database, by default DBHOST=127.0.0.1 .
• DBNAME: The name of the database to create, by default DBNAME=pandora.
• DBUSER: The database user to be created, by default DBUSER=pandora .
• DBPASS: The password (password) for the user that will be created, by default DBPASS='Pandor4!' .
• DBPORT: Port number of the database to connect, by default DBPORT=3306.
• DBROOTPASS: Password of the root user of the database, by default DBROOTPASS='Pandor4!' .
• SKIP_PRECHECK: Skip the check if there is already a previous installation of Pandora FMS, useful to create a new database and point the installation to it; by default SKIP_PRECHECK=0.
• SKIP_DATABASE_INSTALL: Skip the database installation, useful when you already have a database installed, either local or remote, and use its credentials to create the Pandora FMS database; defaults to SKIP_DATABASE_INSTALL=0.
• SKIP_KERNEL_OPTIMIZATIONS: Skip recommended kernel optimization, for advanced users only. By default SKIP_KERNEL_OPTIMIZATIONS=0.
• POOL_SIZE: Specifies a value of memory to use, by default it is done automatically.
• PANDORA_BETA: If it is set to 1 the packages of the latest available beta version will be installed (only for test environments). By default PANDORA_BETA=0 .
• PANDORA_LTS: Installs the latest version of Long Term Support (LTS), a version with maximum stability that incorporates major bug fixes. By default it is active (PANDORA_LTS=1), if it is set to zero it installs the latest regular version, Regular Rolling Release (RRR).

To use these environment variables, it is enough to define them before executing the installation script, for example, in an installation on Ubuntu Server with defined variables, execute the block:

env TZ='Europe/Madrid' \
  DBHOST='127.0.0.1' \
  DBNAME='pandora' \
  DBUSER='pandora' \
  DBPASS='Pandor4!' \
  DBPORT='3306' \
  DBROOTPASS='Pandor4!' \
  PHPVER='8.0' \
  SKIP_PRECHECK=0 \
  SKIP_DATABASE_INSTALL=0 \
  SKIP_KERNEL_OPTIMIZATIONS=0 \
  PANDORA_BETA=0 \
  PANDORA_LTS=1 \
  bash -c "$(curl -SsL < your_link_for_trial > )"

The following changes are made by the SKIP_KERNEL_OPTIMIZATIONS=1 parameter:

#default=5
net.ipv4.tcp_syn_retries = 3

This setting specifies the number of retries the operating system kernel will make when sending a TCP connection request packet before the connection is considered to have failed. The default value is 5, but with the specified settings, it will be set to 3.

#default=5
net.ipv4.tcp_synack_retries = 3

Similar to the previous configuration, this option sets the number of retries the kernel will perform when receiving an acknowledgment response packet from a TCP connection. The default value is 5, but with the specified settings, it will be set to 3.

#default=1024
net.ipv4.tcp_max_syn_backlog = 65536

This setting sets the maximum size of the queue for TCP connections pending acceptance. In other words, it determines the maximum number of connection requests that the operating system can handle simultaneously. The default value is 1024, but with the specified settings, it will be set to 65536.

#default=124928
net.core.wmem_max = 8388608

This option sets the maximum size of the memory buffer for sending data over network connections. Controls the maximum amount of memory that can be allocated to store data before sending it. The default value is 124928, but with the specified settings, it will be set to 8388608.

#default=131071
net.core.rmem_max = 8388608

Like the previous setting, but to receive data instead of sending it, this option sets the maximum memory buffer size for receiving data over network connections. Controls the maximum amount of memory that can be allocated to store received data. The default value is 131071, but with the specified settings, it will be set to 8388608.

#default = 128
net.core.somaxconn = 1024

This option specifies the maximum number of connections pending in the operating system's socket listening queue. Controls the maximum number of incoming connections that can be in a waiting state before being accepted. The default value is 128, but with the specified settings, it will be set to 1024.

#default = 20480
net.core.optmem_max = 81920

This setting sets the maximum memory buffer size for socket options. Controls the maximum amount of memory that can be allocated to store settings options.socket before they are used. The default value is 20480, but with the specified settings, it will be set to 81920.

If there is a powerful exclusive server to host the database (DB) for Pandora FMS, there is another customization for onlineinstallation.

First you should take into account, roughly, how you should plan the installation so that both the PFMS server and its Web Console (PANDORA FMS SERVER+CONSOLE) connect to a remote database (DB) :

• Connect to the server that hosts the database engine, take note of its exact URL or its IP address (DBHOST).
• The default port number (DBPORT) is 3306, take note if you use a different one.
• You must create the database, write down the exact name used (it is recommended to use pandora as DBNAME).
• You must create the user to use to connect to the database (it is recommended to use pandora as DBUSER).
• Assign a password for the user created in the previous step (DBPASS).

• Assign all permissions on the created database to the created user.

• With all this established, make a test connection by command line from the future PFMS server to the created database, this will guarantee that there is communication verified and ready to work.
• The installation parameter that allows connecting to a remote database during online installation is SKIP_DATABASE_INSTALL and its value must be set to 1.
• Proceed with the actual installation using the online installation tool. A simplified example is shown below, with the default values (always remember to use a user password other than the one established by default).

send \
  DBHOST='192.168.1.107' \
  DBNAME='pandora' \
  DBUSER='pandora' \
  DBPASS='pandora' \
  DBPORT='3306' \
  SKIP_DATABASE_INSTALL=1 \
  sh -c "$(curl -fsSL < your_link_for_trial >)"

To install only the Software Agent there is also an online installation tool via BASH command.

• It is compatible with the Linux® operating systems based on RedHat (Fedora, Rocky Linux, et cetera) and Debian (Ubuntu Server, Devuan, Lubuntu, et cetera).
• Available on MS Windows® using PowerShell® technology.

Requirements for using the online installation tool:

• Have internet access.
• Have curl installed (it comes by default in most installations).
• Be an administrator user root.
• Have a compatible OS.

The script supports a number of environment variables to customize the installation. Only one of them is mandatory: $PANDORA_SERVER_IP , so to carry out a standard installation in a single line, it is enough to execute:

export PANDORA_SERVER_IP=<PandoraServer IP or FQDN> && curl -Ls https://pfms.me/agent-deploy | bash

Optionally it is possible to use other env variables to customize the installation:

• $PANDORA_REMOTE_CONFIG: Enable remote configuration from the Web Console. Zero ( 0 ) by default, disabled.
• $PANDORA_AGENT_NAME: Sets the name of the agent. Autogenerated by default.
• $PANDORA_AGENT_ALIAS: Configures the alias of the Software Agent. By default the hostname.
• $PANDORA_GROUP: Sets the group of Software Agent. By default Servers.
• $PANDORA_SECONDARY_GROUPS: Configures the secondary groups of the Software Agent. empty by default
• $PANDORA_DEBUG: Configure the debug setting. Zero ( 0 ) by default, disabled.
• $TIMEZONE : Sets the system time zone.
• $PANDORA_AGENT_SSL: Allows you to configure encrypted communications between the Software Agent and the corresponding PFMS server. By default not enabled (no), to enable it use yes (this will also install software dependencies to encrypt such communications). Use single quotes to delimit the value:

env \
 PANDORA_SERVER_IP='192.168.10.245' \
 PANDORA_REMOTE_CONFIG=1 \
 PANDORA_AGENT_NAME='pandora_agent_name' \
 PANDORA_AGENT_ALIAS='pandora_AGENT_ALIAS' \
 PANDORA_GROUP='Servers' \
 PANDORA_SECONDARY_GROUPS='VMware,Web' \
 PANDORA_AGENT_SSL='yes' \
 bash -c "$(curl -Ls https://pfms.me/agent-deploy)"

Requirements for using the online installation tool:

• Have internet access.
• Have PowerShell® installed.

Run the following commands in a terminal window with PowerShell and with administrator permissions (administrator):

Invoke-WebRequest -Uri https://firefly.pandorafms.com/pandorafms/LTS/PandoraFMS_One_Agent_Windows-lts.x86_64.exe -OutFile ${env:tmp}\pandora-agent-windows .exe; & ${env:tmp}\pandora-agent-windows.exe /S --ip [PANDORASERVER IP or NAME] --group [GROUPNAME] --remote_config 1

Then:

NET START Pandora FMSAgent

• Pandora FMS installation guide on Ubuntu server.
• Pandora FMS installation guide on Rocky Linux.
• Pandora FMS Open Source installation on Ubuntu server.
• Pandora FMS Open Source installation on Rocky Linux.

They are executed with the command:

dnf remove pandorafms_console pandorafms_server

If version 761 or later is uninstalled:

dnf remove pandorawmic

If you have installed MySQL and only hosted the PFMS database:

dnf remove Percona-Server*

It will be necessary to have all the necessary dependencies installed according to the operating system, download the files in tarball format (.tar.gz, .tgz or .tar.bz2) and unzip it. To do this, locate the latest version of Pandora FMS:

Once you have the compressed file in the Console, through a terminal window:

1. Elevate privileges to root. You are solely responsible for said key.

his -

2. Copy to a directory where you can unzip the file (/tmp is used in this example) and inside that directory run:

tar xvzf pandorafms_console-X.Y.tar.gz
cd pandora_console
./pandora_console_install --install

Once the server has the compressed file, which will have a similar name:

pandorafms_server-7.0NG.7xx.tar.gz

1. Elevate privileges to root. You are solely responsible for said key.

su -

2. Copy to a directory where you can unzip the file (/tmp is used again in this example) and inside that directory run:

tar xvzf pandorafms_server-7.0NG.7xx.tar.gz
cd pandora_server
./pandora_server_installer --install

If there are dependency issues, you should resolve them before attempting the installation. You can force the installation by ignoring the dependency problem, but it is very possible that Pandora FMS will not work correctly.

To install the Pandora FMS server in a different path, use the option:

./pandora_server_installer --install --destdir < path >

After the installation, you must configure the Pandora FMS server so that it starts automatically during startup and configure the database maintenance script, pandora_db, so that it runs periodically. For example, on Linux (replace < destdir > with the path you passed to the destdir option):

echo "\"< destdir >/usr/share/pandora_server/util/pandora_db\" \
  \"< destdir >/etc/pandora/pandora_server.conf\">/dev/null 2>&1"> /etc/cron.hourly/pandora_db

To install the Pandora FMS server with a non-privileged user, launch the following command with the user with whom you want to perform the installation:

./pandora_server_installer --install --no-root --destdir /opt/pandora

This user must have write permissions to the path passed to destdir.

• Installing PFMS Software Agents.

Back to Pandora FMS documentation index