How To Install Netdata on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Real-time system monitoring has become essential for maintaining optimal server performance and preventing costly downtime. Netdata stands out as one of the most powerful and lightweight monitoring solutions available for Linux systems today.

This comprehensive guide walks you through installing Netdata on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS using multiple methods, configuring security settings, and optimizing performance. Whether you’re managing a single server or multiple nodes, you’ll discover everything needed to implement professional-grade monitoring that provides instant visibility into your system’s health.

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS offers excellent compatibility with Netdata’s latest features, making it an ideal platform for both beginners and experienced system administrators. The installation process takes just minutes, but the insights you’ll gain are invaluable for maintaining peak system performance.

What is Netdata and Why Choose It?

Understanding Netdata’s Core Capabilities

Netdata is an open-source, real-time system monitoring and performance analytics platform distributed under the GPL-3.0 license. Unlike traditional monitoring solutions that consume significant system resources, Netdata operates with minimal overhead while delivering comprehensive insights into CPU utilization, memory consumption, disk I/O patterns, and network traffic.

The platform excels at providing zero-configuration monitoring that works immediately after installation. Its web-based dashboard updates every second, offering granular visibility into thousands of metrics without requiring external databases or complex setup procedures.

Key Advantages for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS provides an ideal environment for Netdata deployment due to its stable package repositories, long-term support commitment, and robust security framework. The combination delivers enterprise-grade monitoring capabilities with minimal maintenance requirements.

Netdata’s architecture ensures it won’t impact your server’s primary functions. Resource consumption typically remains under 3% of system CPU and less than 100MB of RAM, even when monitoring hundreds of metrics simultaneously.

The platform’s interactive dashboard runs entirely in your web browser, eliminating the need for additional client software or mobile applications. This approach simplifies deployment across diverse environments while maintaining consistent user experiences.

Prerequisites and System Requirements

Essential System Specifications

Before beginning the installation process, verify your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system meets the minimum requirements. A fresh Ubuntu server installation with at least 1GB RAM and 10GB available disk space provides adequate resources for most monitoring scenarios.

Your system requires root or sudo privileges for package installation and service configuration. Network connectivity is essential for downloading packages and accessing the web interface on port 19999.

Pre-Installation System Preparation

Start by updating your package repositories to ensure access to the latest security patches and software versions:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Verify sufficient disk space using the df -h command. Netdata requires approximately 200MB for installation files plus additional space for historical data storage.

Check if port 19999 is available by running:

sudo netstat -tulpn | grep :19999

If the command returns no output, the port is available for Netdata’s web interface.

Required Dependencies and Tools

Install essential utilities that support the installation process:

sudo apt install curl wget software-properties-common -y

These tools enable secure package downloads and repository management throughout the installation process.

Installation Method 1: Ubuntu Repository Installation

Updating System Packages

The repository installation method offers simplicity and integration with Ubuntu’s package management system. Begin by refreshing your package cache to access the latest available versions:

sudo apt update

This command downloads package information from all configured repositories, ensuring you’ll install the most recent stable version of Netdata available in Ubuntu’s default repositories.

Installing Netdata from Official Repository

Execute the installation command with automatic confirmation:

sudo apt install netdata -y

The package manager downloads and installs Netdata along with all required dependencies. This process typically completes within 2-3 minutes, depending on your network connection speed.

Ubuntu’s package system creates the necessary user accounts, directory structures, and service configurations automatically. The installation places configuration files in /etc/netdata/ and program files in /usr/share/netdata/.

Starting and Enabling the Netdata Service

Activate the Netdata service immediately after installation:

sudo systemctl start netdata

Configure automatic startup during system boot:

sudo systemctl enable netdata

Verify the service is running correctly:

sudo systemctl status netdata

A successful installation displays “active (running)” status with recent log entries showing initialization completion.

Repository Installation Benefits and Considerations

The repository method provides excellent stability and seamless integration with Ubuntu’s update mechanisms. Security patches and minor updates arrive through standard apt upgrade procedures, simplifying long-term maintenance.

However, repository versions may lag behind the latest Netdata releases by several weeks or months. Consider this trade-off when deciding between stability and cutting-edge features for your monitoring requirements.

Installation Method 2: Automated Script Installation

Understanding the Kickstart Script

Netdata’s official kickstart script provides the most current version with automatic platform detection and optimization. This script analyzes your system configuration and selects appropriate compilation options for optimal performance.

The kickstart method typically delivers versions 2-6 weeks newer than Ubuntu repositories, including the latest features, bug fixes, and security enhancements.

Downloading and Executing the Installation Script

Install the curl utility if not already present:

sudo apt-get install curl -y

Execute the kickstart script with a single command:

bash <(curl -Ss https://my-netdata.io/kickstart.sh)

Alternative installation using wget:

wget -O /tmp/netdata-kickstart.sh https://my-netdata.io/kickstart.sh && sh /tmp/netdata-kickstart.sh

The script prompts for confirmation before proceeding with installation. Press Enter to accept default settings or specify custom parameters as needed.

Script Installation Process Walkthrough

The automated script performs comprehensive system analysis, detecting your Ubuntu version, available compilers, and system architecture. It downloads source code, compiles binaries optimized for your specific hardware, and configures services automatically.

Compilation typically requires 5-10 minutes on modern systems. The script displays progress indicators and detailed logging information throughout the process, making troubleshooting straightforward if issues arise.

Upon completion, the script installs an automatic update mechanism that checks for new Netdata releases daily, ensuring your monitoring system remains current with minimal administrative overhead.

Verifying Successful Script Installation

Confirm the installation completed successfully by checking service status:

sudo systemctl status netdata

Review installation logs for any warnings or errors:

sudo journalctl -u netdata --no-pager

The automated script creates detailed installation logs in /var/log/netdata/ for future reference and troubleshooting purposes.

Configuration and Security Setup

Understanding Netdata Configuration Files

Netdata’s primary configuration file resides at /etc/netdata/netdata.conf. This file controls global settings including network binding, data retention periods, and performance parameters.

The configuration uses a simple INI-style format with sections and key-value pairs. Most installations work perfectly with default settings, but specific environments may require customization for optimal performance or security compliance.

Generate a complete configuration template:

sudo /usr/sbin/netdata -W set

This command creates a comprehensive configuration file with all available options and their current values, serving as an excellent reference for customization.

Network Binding and Access Configuration

By default, Netdata binds to localhost (127.0.0.1), restricting access to the local system only. This security-first approach prevents unauthorized external access while allowing local monitoring.

To enable remote access, modify the bind socket configuration:

sudo nano /etc/netdata/netdata.conf

Locate the [web] section and modify:

[web]
    bind socket to IP = 0.0.0.0

This change allows connections from any network interface. For enhanced security, specify your server’s internal IP address instead of 0.0.0.0.

Restart Netdata to apply configuration changes:

sudo systemctl restart netdata

Implementing SSL/TLS Security

Secure your Netdata installation with SSL/TLS encryption to protect sensitive monitoring data during transmission. Generate self-signed certificates for internal use:

sudo openssl req -x509 -nodes -days 365 -newkey rsa:2048 \
    -keyout /etc/netdata/privkey.pem \
    -out /etc/netdata/fullchain.pem

Configure SSL in the main configuration file:

[web]
    ssl key = /etc/netdata/privkey.pem
    ssl certificate = /etc/netdata/fullchain.pem
    tls version = 1.3

Set appropriate file permissions for security:

sudo chown netdata:netdata /etc/netdata/privkey.pem /etc/netdata/fullchain.pem
sudo chmod 600 /etc/netdata/privkey.pem /etc/netdata/fullchain.pem

Essential Security Best Practices

Configure your firewall to restrict access to port 19999:

sudo ufw allow from 192.168.1.0/24 to any port 19999

This command allows access only from your local network subnet. Adjust the IP range according to your network configuration.

Consider implementing reverse proxy authentication using Nginx or Apache for additional security layers in production environments. This approach provides centralized access control and SSL termination capabilities.

Regular security updates remain crucial for maintaining system integrity:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Accessing and Using the Netdata Web Interface

Initial Dashboard Access

Open your web browser and navigate to your server’s IP address on port 19999:

http://your-server-ip:19999

For SSL-enabled installations, use HTTPS:

https://your-server-ip:19999

The dashboard loads immediately, displaying real-time system metrics with interactive graphs and charts. No additional authentication is required for default installations, though production deployments should implement access controls.

Exploring Dashboard Components

The Netdata interface organizes metrics into logical categories including System Overview, CPU utilization, Memory usage, Disk performance, and Network activity. Each section provides drill-down capabilities for detailed analysis.

CPU monitoring displays per-core utilization, temperature readings, and frequency scaling information. Memory metrics include RAM usage, swap activity, and buffer/cache utilization patterns.

Disk monitoring covers I/O operations per second, throughput statistics, and individual drive performance metrics. Network sections show interface traffic, packet rates, and error conditions across all network adapters.

Dashboard Customization and Navigation

The interface allows extensive customization including metric selection, graph scaling, and layout preferences. Use the settings panel to adjust update frequencies and data retention periods according to your monitoring requirements.

Bookmark specific metric combinations for quick access during troubleshooting scenarios. The URL structure supports direct linking to particular dashboard configurations, enabling team collaboration and standardized monitoring views.

Historical data navigation uses intuitive time range selectors supporting custom periods from minutes to months, depending on your data retention configuration.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

Resolving Service Startup Problems

If Netdata fails to start, examine system logs for detailed error information:

sudo journalctl -u netdata -f

Common startup issues include port conflicts, permission problems, and missing dependencies. Port 19999 conflicts typically occur with other monitoring tools or web services.

Identify processes using port 19999:

sudo lsof -i :19999

Stop conflicting services or configure Netdata to use an alternative port by modifying the configuration file:

[web]
    default port = 19998

Permission issues often relate to the netdata user account lacking access to system files or directories. Verify user account creation:

id netdata

Network Access Troubleshooting

Remote access problems frequently stem from firewall restrictions or incorrect binding configurations. Test local access first to isolate networking issues:

curl http://localhost:19999/api/v1/info

This command should return JSON data about your Netdata installation. If local access works but remote connections fail, examine firewall rules:

sudo ufw status

Ensure port 19999 is explicitly allowed for your network range. Ubuntu’s default firewall configuration blocks external connections to prevent unauthorized access.

Ubuntu 24.04 Specific Considerations

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS introduces updated package dependencies that may affect older installation methods. If repository installation fails, verify your sources.list configuration includes universe repositories:

sudo add-apt-repository universe
sudo apt update

Dependency conflicts occasionally occur with third-party repositories or manually compiled software. Use apt’s dependency resolution tools to identify problematic packages:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

Performance and Resource Optimization

Excessive CPU usage by Netdata typically indicates aggressive data collection intervals or numerous enabled plugins. Modify collection frequencies in the configuration file:

[global]
    update every = 2

This setting changes the default 1-second update interval to 2 seconds, reducing CPU overhead while maintaining useful monitoring granularity.

Disable unnecessary plugins to reduce resource consumption:

sudo nano /etc/netdata/netdata.conf

Add plugin disable directives:

[plugins]
    apps = no
    cgroups = no

Advanced Configuration and Optimization

Performance Tuning Parameters

Fine-tune Netdata’s performance characteristics based on your specific monitoring requirements and available system resources. Memory usage optimization involves configuring data retention periods and collection intervals.

Adjust historical data retention in the main configuration:

[global]
    history = 3996

This setting maintains approximately 1 hour of historical data at 1-second intervals. Larger values consume more memory but provide extended historical analysis capabilities.

Configure plugin-specific collection frequencies:

[plugin:proc]
    update every = 2
[plugin:diskspace]
    update every = 10

These settings optimize resource usage by collecting disk space information less frequently than CPU metrics, reflecting typical change rates for different system components.

Integration with External Monitoring Systems

Netdata supports integration with popular monitoring platforms including Prometheus, Grafana, and cloud-based solutions. Configure Prometheus backend support:

[backend]
    enabled = yes
    type = prometheus_remote_write
    destination = http://prometheus-server:9090/api/v1/write

This configuration enables metric forwarding to centralized Prometheus installations for long-term storage and advanced alerting capabilities.

Grafana integration provides advanced visualization options and dashboard sharing across teams. Import pre-built Netdata dashboards from Grafana’s template library for immediate productivity gains.

Multi-Node Monitoring Setup

Large-scale deployments benefit from centralized monitoring coordination through Netdata Cloud or self-hosted management solutions. Register nodes with Netdata Cloud:

sudo netdata-claim.sh -token=YOUR_CLAIM_TOKEN -rooms=YOUR_ROOM_ID -url=https://app.netdata.cloud

This command connects your installation to centralized management, enabling fleet-wide monitoring and alerting coordination.

For air-gapped environments, configure parent-child relationships between Netdata instances:

[streaming]
    enabled = yes
    destination = parent-netdata-server:19999
    api key = your-api-key

Backup and Maintenance Procedures

Implement regular configuration backups to simplify disaster recovery:

sudo tar -czf netdata-config-backup-$(date +%Y%m%d).tar.gz /etc/netdata/

Store backup files in secure, off-site locations with appropriate retention policies matching your organizational requirements.

Automate update procedures using cron jobs for kickstart installations:

sudo crontab -e

Add weekly update checks:

0 2 * * 0 bash <(curl -Ss https://my-netdata.io/kickstart.sh) --dont-wait --auto-update

Monitoring Capabilities Deep Dive

Comprehensive System Resource Monitoring

Netdata excels at providing detailed insights into system resource utilization patterns. CPU monitoring includes per-core utilization, system vs. user time distribution, and interrupt handling statistics.

Memory monitoring extends beyond basic RAM usage to include detailed breakdowns of buffer cache utilization, swap activity patterns, and memory pressure indicators. These metrics prove invaluable for capacity planning and performance optimization.

Disk monitoring covers both traditional storage devices and modern NVMe drives, providing IOPS statistics, queue depths, and latency measurements essential for identifying storage bottlenecks.

Network monitoring encompasses interface statistics, protocol-level metrics, and error rate tracking across all network adapters, supporting complex network troubleshooting scenarios.

Application and Service Monitoring

Beyond system metrics, Netdata monitors running processes, tracking resource consumption patterns and process lifecycle events. This capability enables rapid identification of resource-intensive applications affecting system performance.

Database monitoring plugins support popular systems including MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB, providing connection counts, query performance metrics, and resource utilization statistics specific to database workloads.

Web server monitoring covers Apache, Nginx, and other HTTP servers, tracking request rates, response times, and error conditions essential for web application performance management.

Alert and Notification Configuration

Netdata’s built-in alerting system provides flexible threshold-based monitoring with customizable notification channels. Configure email notifications:

sudo nano /etc/netdata/health.d/cpu.conf

Create custom alert rules:

alarm: cpu_usage
on: system.cpu
lookup: average -10m
every: 30s
warn: $this > 80
crit: $this > 95
exec: /usr/libexec/netdata/plugins.d/alarm-notify.sh

This configuration triggers warnings when CPU usage exceeds 80% and critical alerts above 95%, with 10-minute averaging to prevent false alarms from brief spikes.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Netdata. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Netdata performance and health monitoring tool on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Linux system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Netdata website.