How To Install Zabbix on Linux Mint 22

In this tutorial, we will show you how to install Zabbix on Linux Mint 22. Zabbix stands as one of the most powerful open-source monitoring solutions available today, offering enterprise-grade capabilities for tracking network performance, server health, and application metrics. Linux Mint 22, with its stable Ubuntu foundation and user-friendly interface, provides an excellent platform for deploying Zabbix monitoring infrastructure. This comprehensive guide walks you through every step of installing and configuring Zabbix on Linux Mint 22, from initial system preparation to advanced configuration options.

Whether you’re managing a small office network or overseeing enterprise-level infrastructure, this tutorial ensures you’ll have a fully functional Zabbix installation. You’ll learn how to set up the Zabbix server, configure the web interface, install monitoring agents, and implement best practices for security and performance optimization.

What is Zabbix and Why Use It?

Zabbix represents a mature, feature-rich monitoring platform that has evolved over two decades to meet modern infrastructure demands. This open-source solution provides real-time monitoring capabilities for networks, servers, virtual machines, cloud services, and applications through a unified interface.

The platform excels in several key areas that make it particularly attractive for Linux Mint 22 deployments. Its scalability impresses with support for monitoring up to 100,000 devices and processing over one million metrics per second on properly configured hardware. The flexibility of Zabbix allows both agent-based and agentless monitoring approaches, supporting SNMP, IPMI, JMX, and custom scripts for data collection.

Advanced features include sophisticated alerting mechanisms with escalation procedures, comprehensive SLA reporting, network discovery automation, and powerful visualization tools. The web-based interface provides intuitive dashboards, customizable graphs, and detailed reporting capabilities that help administrators quickly identify and resolve issues.

Cost-effectiveness remains a significant advantage, as Zabbix eliminates expensive licensing fees associated with commercial monitoring solutions. The active community contributes templates, plugins, and documentation, while professional support options are available for enterprise deployments requiring guaranteed response times and expert assistance.

Prerequisites and System Requirements

Before beginning the Zabbix installation process on Linux Mint 22, ensure your system meets the minimum requirements for optimal performance. A dual-core processor with at least 2GB of RAM suffices for small environments monitoring fewer than 100 hosts, while larger deployments benefit from quad-core processors and 8GB or more RAM.

Storage requirements depend on data retention policies and the number of monitored items. Plan for approximately 50MB of database storage per monitored host per day, though this varies significantly based on monitoring intensity and data collection frequency. SSD storage improves database performance, particularly for installations monitoring hundreds of hosts.

Network connectivity requirements include stable internet access for downloading packages and updates. Ensure the following ports remain available: port 80/443 for web interface access, port 10051 for Zabbix server communication, and port 10050 for agent communication. Firewall configurations must allow these connections between monitored systems and the Zabbix server.

Administrative privileges are essential throughout the installation process. Verify sudo access is properly configured for your user account, as multiple system-level modifications are required. Keep your Linux Mint 22 system updated with the latest security patches before proceeding with the installation.

Preparing Your Linux Mint 22 System

Installing Required Dependencies

System preparation begins with updating the package repository and installing essential components. Execute the following commands to ensure your system has the latest package information:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Apache2 web server installation forms the foundation for the Zabbix web interface. Install Apache2 and enable it to start automatically:

sudo apt install apache2 -y
sudo systemctl enable apache2
sudo systemctl start apache2

PHP and its extensions provide the runtime environment for the Zabbix frontend. Install PHP along with necessary extensions:

sudo apt install php php-mysql php-gd php-bcmath php-ctype php-xml php-xmlreader php-xmlwriter php-session php-net-socket php-mbstring php-gettext -y

Database server installation requires choosing between MySQL and PostgreSQL. For MySQL installation:

sudo apt install mysql-server -y
sudo systemctl enable mysql
sudo systemctl start mysql

Run the MySQL security script to configure initial security settings:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

Initial System Configuration

Firewall configuration ensures proper communication while maintaining security. Configure UFW to allow necessary Zabbix ports:

sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow 443/tcp
sudo ufw allow 10050/tcp
sudo ufw allow 10051/tcp
sudo ufw enable

Verify that all installed services are running correctly:

sudo systemctl status apache2
sudo systemctl status mysql

These commands should return “active (running)” status for each service, confirming proper installation and startup.

Adding Zabbix Repository

Zabbix installation requires adding the official repository to access the latest packages. Download and install the Zabbix repository configuration:

wget https://repo.zabbix.com/zabbix/7.4/release/ubuntu/pool/main/z/zabbix-release/zabbix-release_7.4-0.2%2Bubuntu24.04_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i zabbix-release_7.4-0.2%2Bubuntu24.04_all.deb

Update the package list to include Zabbix packages:

sudo apt update

Verify the repository addition by checking available Zabbix packages:

apt-cache search zabbix-server

This command should display various Zabbix server packages, confirming successful repository integration.

Installing Zabbix Server Components

Core Server Installation

Install the complete Zabbix server suite with MySQL support and web interface components:

sudo apt install zabbix-server-mysql zabbix-frontend-php zabbix-apache-conf zabbix-sql-scripts zabbix-agent -y

This command installs several key components:

• zabbix-server-mysql: The main Zabbix server with MySQL database support
• zabbix-frontend-php: Web-based user interface
• zabbix-apache-conf: Apache configuration for Zabbix
• zabbix-sql-scripts: Database schema scripts
• zabbix-agent: Local monitoring agent

Package Verification and Dependencies

Confirm successful installation by checking installed package versions:

dpkg -l | grep zabbix

Verify that all Zabbix services are available but not yet running:

sudo systemctl status zabbix-server
sudo systemctl status zabbix-agent

Both services should show “inactive (dead)” status at this stage, which is expected before configuration completion.

Database Configuration

MySQL Database Setup

Database configuration requires creating a dedicated Zabbix database and user with appropriate permissions. Access MySQL as root:

sudo mysql -u root -p

Create the Zabbix database and user:

CREATE DATABASE zabbix CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_bin;
CREATE USER 'zabbix'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'your_secure_password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON zabbix.* TO 'zabbix'@'localhost';
SET GLOBAL log_bin_trust_function_creators = 1;
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Replace your_secure_password with a strong password containing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

Import the initial Zabbix database schema:

zcat /usr/share/zabbix-sql-scripts/mysql/server.sql.gz | mysql --default-character-set=utf8mb4 -uzabbix -p zabbix

After importing the schema, disable the log_bin_trust_function_creators setting:

sudo mysql -u root -p

SET GLOBAL log_bin_trust_function_creators = 0;
EXIT;

Database Security Configuration

Enhance database security by configuring MySQL settings. Edit the MySQL configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf

Add or modify these settings for optimal Zabbix performance:

[mysqld]
innodb_file_per_table=1
innodb_buffer_pool_size=256M
innodb_log_file_size=128M
innodb_flush_log_at_trx_commit=2
innodb_flush_method=O_DIRECT

Restart MySQL to apply configuration changes:

sudo systemctl restart mysql

Configuring Zabbix Server

Server Configuration File

Edit the main Zabbix server configuration file to establish database connectivity:

sudo nano /etc/zabbix/zabbix_server.conf

Locate and modify these essential parameters:

DBName=zabbix
DBUser=zabbix
DBPassword=your_secure_password
DBHost=localhost

Additional configuration options for performance optimization:

StartPollers=30
StartIPMIPollers=10
StartPollersUnreachable=1
StartTrappers=5
StartPingers=1
StartDiscoverers=1
StartHTTPPollers=1
StartTimers=1
StartEscalators=1
CacheSize=8M
HistoryCacheSize=16M
HistoryIndexCacheSize=4M
TrendCacheSize=4M
ValueCacheSize=8M

Web Server Configuration

Configure PHP settings for optimal Zabbix frontend performance. Edit the PHP configuration:

sudo nano /etc/php/8.3/apache2/php.ini

Modify these PHP settings:

max_execution_time = 300
memory_limit = 128M
post_max_size = 16M
upload_max_filesize = 2M
max_input_time = 300
date.timezone = Asia/Jakarta

Enable the Zabbix Apache configuration:

sudo a2enconf zabbix

Restart Apache to apply configuration changes:

sudo systemctl restart apache2

Service Management

Start and enable Zabbix services for automatic startup:

sudo systemctl restart zabbix-server zabbix-agent apache2
sudo systemctl enable zabbix-server zabbix-agent

Verify service status:

sudo systemctl status zabbix-server
sudo systemctl status zabbix-agent
sudo systemctl status apache2

All services should display “active (running)” status. Check the Zabbix server log for any error messages:

sudo tail -f /var/log/zabbix/zabbix_server.log

Web Interface Setup and Initial Configuration

Access the Zabbix web interface by navigating to http://your-server-ip/zabbix in your web browser. The installation wizard guides you through the initial setup process.

The welcome screen presents language options and system requirement checks. Verify that all requirements show green checkmarks, indicating proper configuration. If any requirements appear in red, resolve them before proceeding.

Database connection configuration requires entering the database details configured earlier:

• Database type: MySQL
• Database host: localhost
• Database port: 0 (default)
• Database name: zabbix
• Database user: zabbix
• Database password: your_secure_password

Server details configuration includes:

• Zabbix server name: Choose a descriptive name for your installation
• Zabbix server port: 10051 (default)

Review the configuration summary and proceed with installation. The setup process creates necessary configuration files and establishes database connections.

Upon successful completion, log in using the default credentials:

• Username: Admin
• Password: zabbix

Immediately change the default password by navigating to Administration → Users, selecting the Admin user, and updating the password with a strong alternative.

Installing and Configuring Zabbix Agent

The Zabbix agent enables monitoring of the local system where the Zabbix server is installed. Configure the agent by editing its configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/zabbix/zabbix_agentd.conf

Essential configuration parameters include:

PidFile=/var/run/zabbix/zabbix_agentd.pid
LogFile=/var/log/zabbix/zabbix_agentd.log
LogFileSize=1
Server=127.0.0.1
ServerActive=127.0.0.1
Hostname=zabbix-server
RefreshActiveChecks=120
UnsafeUserParameters=0

The Server parameter specifies which Zabbix servers can connect to this agent, while ServerActive defines servers for active checks. The Hostname must match the hostname configured in the Zabbix web interface for this host.

Restart the Zabbix agent to apply configuration changes:

sudo systemctl restart zabbix-agent
sudo systemctl status zabbix-agent

Verify agent functionality by testing connectivity from the server:

zabbix_get -s 127.0.0.1 -k system.hostname

This command should return the system hostname, confirming proper agent communication.

Testing and Verification

Comprehensive testing ensures all components function correctly. Access the Zabbix web interface and navigate to Configuration → Hosts to add the local server as a monitored host.

Create a new host with these settings:

• Host name: Zabbix server
• Visible name: Zabbix server
• Groups: Linux servers
• Agent interfaces: 127.0.0.1:10050

Link appropriate templates such as “Linux by Zabbix agent” to enable comprehensive monitoring. Save the configuration and verify that the host appears with a green “ZBX” icon within a few minutes, indicating successful agent communication.

Monitor data collection by navigating to Monitoring → Latest data and selecting your newly added host. Various metrics including CPU utilization, memory usage, disk space, and network statistics should appear with recent values.

Test alerting functionality by creating a simple trigger. Navigate to Configuration → Hosts → Triggers → Create trigger and define a condition such as high CPU usage or low disk space. Configure corresponding actions under Configuration → Actions to receive notifications when triggers activate.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Database connection problems often manifest as server startup failures. Check the Zabbix server log for database-related errors:

sudo grep -i "database\|mysql" /var/log/zabbix/zabbix_server.log

Common solutions include verifying database credentials, ensuring MySQL service is running, and checking network connectivity between the Zabbix server and database.

Service startup failures typically indicate configuration errors or missing dependencies. Examine systemd logs for detailed error information:

sudo journalctl -u zabbix-server -f

Agent connectivity issues often result from firewall restrictions or incorrect configuration. Test agent communication manually:

telnet localhost 10050

A successful connection indicates the agent is listening. If connection fails, verify the agent service status and firewall rules.

Permission problems may prevent the Zabbix server from writing log files or accessing configuration files. Ensure proper ownership and permissions:

sudo chown -R zabbix:zabbix /var/log/zabbix/
sudo chmod 755 /etc/zabbix/

Performance issues in larger environments may require tuning database and server parameters. Monitor system resources and adjust cache sizes, database connections, and poller processes based on actual usage patterns.

Security Best Practices

Security hardening begins with changing all default passwords immediately after installation. Create strong administrative passwords using a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

Implement proper user access controls by creating individual user accounts with specific permissions rather than sharing the Admin account. Configure user groups with role-based access control to limit functionality based on job responsibilities.

Enable HTTPS encryption for web interface access by configuring SSL certificates. Install and configure SSL:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache -y
sudo certbot --apache

Configure secure communication channels between Zabbix components using encryption and PSK (Pre-Shared Key) authentication. Edit agent configurations to include encryption settings:

TLSConnect=psk
TLSAccept=psk
TLSPSKIdentity=PSK_ID_001
TLSPSKFile=/etc/zabbix/zabbix_agentd.psk

Generate PSK files for secure communication:

sudo sh -c "openssl rand -hex 32 > /etc/zabbix/zabbix_agentd.psk"
sudo chown zabbix:zabbix /etc/zabbix/zabbix_agentd.psk
sudo chmod 400 /etc/zabbix/zabbix_agentd.psk

Regular security updates maintain protection against vulnerabilities. Establish automated update procedures:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade zabbix-server-mysql zabbix-frontend-php zabbix-agent

Implement comprehensive backup strategies covering both configuration files and database content. Create automated backup scripts:

#!/bin/bash
mysqldump -u zabbix -p zabbix > /backup/zabbix_$(date +%Y%m%d).sql
tar -czf /backup/zabbix_config_$(date +%Y%m%d).tar.gz /etc/zabbix/

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Zabbix. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Zabbix monitoring tool on Linux Mint 22 system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Zabbix website.