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| -rw-r--r-- | docs/configure/nodes.md | 165 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | docs/configure/secure-nodes.md | 123 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | docs/configure/start-stop-restart.md | 98 |
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diff --git a/docs/configure/common-changes.md b/docs/configure/common-changes.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6749384 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/configure/common-changes.md @@ -0,0 +1,214 @@ +<!-- +title: "Common configuration changes" +description: "See the most popular configuration changes to make to the Netdata Agent, including longer metrics retention, reduce sampling, and more." +custom_edit_url: https://github.com/netdata/netdata/edit/master/docs/configure/common-changes.md +--> + +# Common configuration changes + +The Netdata Agent requires no configuration upon installation to collect thousands of per-second metrics from most +systems, containers, and applications, but there are hundreds of settings to tweak if you want to exercise more control +over your monitoring platform. + +This document assumes familiarity with using [`edit-config`](/docs/configure/nodes.md) from the Netdata config +directory. + +## Change dashboards and visualizations + +The Netdata Agent's [local dashboard](/web/gui/README.md), accessible at `http://NODE:19999` is highly configurable. If +you use Netdata Cloud for [infrastructure monitoring](/docs/quickstart/infrastructure.md), you will see many of these +changes reflected in those visualizations due to the way Netdata Cloud proxies metric data and metadata to your browser. + +### Increase the long-term metrics retention period + +Increase the values for the `page cache size` and `dbengine multihost disk space` settings in the [`[global]` +section](/daemon/config/README.md#global-section-options) of `netdata.conf`. + +```conf +[global] + page cache size = 128 # 128 MiB of memory for metrics storage + dbengine multihost disk space = 4096 # 4GiB of disk space for metrics storage +``` + +Read our doc on [increasing long-term metrics storage](/docs/store/change-metrics-storage.md) for details, including a +[calculator](/docs/store/change-metrics-storage.md#calculate-the-system-resources-RAM-disk-space-needed-to-store-metrics) +to help you determine the exact settings for your desired retention period. + +### Reduce the data collection frequency + +Change `update every` in the [`[global]` section](/daemon/config/README.md#global-section-options) of `netdata.conf` so +that it is greater than `1`. An `update every` of `5` means the Netdata Agent enforces a _minimum_ collection frequency +of 5 seconds. + +```conf +[global] + update every = 5 +``` + +Every collector and plugin has its own `update every` setting, which you can also change in the `go.d.conf`, +`python.d.conf`, `node.d.conf`, or `charts.d.conf` files, or in individual collector configuration files. If the `update +every` for an individual collector is less than the global, the Netdata Agent uses the global setting. See the [enable +or configure a collector](/docs/collect/enable-configure.md) doc for details. + +### Disable a collector or plugin + +Turn off entire plugins in the [`[plugins]` section](/daemon/config/README.md#plugins-section-options) of +`netdata.conf`. + +To disable specific collectors, open `go.d.conf`, `python.d.conf`, `node.d.conf`, or `charts.d.conf` and find the line +for that specific module. Uncomment the line and change its value to `no`. + +## Modify alarms and notifications + +Netdata's health monitoring watchdog uses hundreds of preconfigured health entities, with intelligent thresholds, to +generate warning and critical alarms for most production systems and their applications without configuration. However, +each alarm and notification method is completely customizable. + +### Add a new alarm + +To create a new alarm configuration file, initiate an empty file, with a filename that ends in `.conf`, in the +`health.d/` directory. The Netdata Agent loads any valid alarm configuration file ending in `.conf` in that directory. +Next, edit the new file with `edit-config`. For example, with a file called `example-alarm.conf`. + +```bash +sudo touch health.d/example-alarm.conf +sudo ./edit-config health.d/example-alarm.conf +``` + +Or, append your new alarm to an existing file by editing a relevant existing file in the `health.d/` directory. + +Read more about [configuring alarms](/docs/monitor/configure-alarms.md) to get started, and see the [health monitoring +reference](/health/REFERENCE.md) for a full listing of options available in health entities. + +### Configure a specific alarm + +Tweak existing alarms by editing files in the `health.d/` directory. For example, edit `health.d/cpu.conf` to change how +the Agent responds to anomalies related to CPU utilization. + +To see which configuration file you need to edit to configure a specific alarm, [view your active +alarms](/docs/monitor/view-active-alarms.md) in Netdata Cloud or the local Agent dashboard and look for the **source** +line. For example, it might read `source 4@/usr/lib/netdata/conf.d/health.d/cpu.conf`. + +Because the source path contains `health.d/cpu.conf`, run `sudo edit-config health.d/cpu.conf` to configure that alarm. + +### Disable a specific alarm + +Open the configuration file for that alarm and set the `to` line to `silent`. + +```conf +template: disk_fill_rate + on: disk.space + lookup: max -1s at -30m unaligned of avail + calc: ($this - $avail) / (30 * 60) + every: 15s + to: silent +``` + +### Turn of all alarms and notifications + +Set `enabled` to `no` in the [`[health]` section](/daemon/config/README.md#health-section-options) section of +`netdata.conf`. + +### Enable alarm notifications + +Open `health_alarm_notify.conf` for editing. First, read the [enabling +notifications](/docs/monitor/enable-notifications.md#netdata-agent) doc for an example of the process using Slack, then +click on the link to your preferred notification method to find documentation for that specific endpoint. + +## Improve node security + +While the Netdata Agent is both [open and secure by design](https://www.netdata.cloud/blog/netdata-agent-dashboard/), we +recommend every user take some action to administer and secure their nodes. + +Learn more about a few of the following changes in the [node security doc](/docs/configure/secure-nodes.md). + +### Disable the local Agent dashboard (`http://NODE:19999`) + +If you use Netdata Cloud to visualize metrics, stream metrics to a parent node, or otherwise don't need the local Agent +dashboard, disabling it reduces the Agent's resource utilization and improves security. + +Change the `mode` setting to `none` in the [`[web]` section](/web/server/README.md#configuration) of `netdata.conf`. + +```conf +[web] + mode = none +``` + +### Use access lists to restrict access to specific assets + +Allow access from only specific IP addresses, ranges of IP addresses, or hostnames using [access +lists](/web/server/README.md#access-lists) and [simple patterns](/libnetdata/simple_pattern/README.md). + +See a quickstart to access lists in the [node security +doc](/docs/configure/secure-nodes.md#restrict-access-to-the-local-dashboard). + +### Stop sending anonymous statistics to Google Analytics + +Create a file called `.opt-out-from-anonymous-statistics` inside of your Netdata config directory to immediately stop +the statistics script. + +```bash +sudo touch .opt-out-from-anonymous-statistics +``` + +Learn more about [why we collect anonymous statistics](/docs/anonymous-statistics.md). + +### Change the IP address/port Netdata listens to + +Change the `default port` setting in the `[web]` section to a port other than `19999`. + +```conf +[web] + default port = 39999 +``` + +Use the `bind to` setting to the ports other assets, such as the [running `netdata.conf` +configuration](/docs/configure/nodes.md#see-an-agents-running-configuration), API, or streaming requests listen to. + +## Reduce resource usage + +Read our [performance optimization guide](/docs/guides/configure/performance.md) for a long list of specific changes +that can reduce the Netdata Agent's CPU/memory footprint and IO requirements. + +## Organize nodes with host labels + +Beginning with v1.20, Netdata accepts user-defined **host labels**. These labels are sent during streaming, exporting, +and as metadata to Netdata Cloud, and help you organize the metrics coming from complex infrastructure. Host labels are +defined in the section `[host labels]`. + +For a quick introduction, read the [host label guide](/docs/guides/using-host-labels.md). + +The following restrictions apply to host label names: + +- Names cannot start with `_`, but it can be present in other parts of the name. +- Names only accept alphabet letters, numbers, dots, and dashes. + +The policy for values is more flexible, but you can not use exclamation marks (`!`), whitespaces (` `), single quotes +(`'`), double quotes (`"`), or asterisks (`*`), because they are used to compare label values in health alarms and +templates. + +## What's next? + +If you haven't already, learn how to [secure your nodes](/docs/configure/secure-nodes.md). + +As mentioned at the top, there are plenty of other + +You can also take what you've learned about node configuration to tweak the Agent's behavior or enable new features: + +- [Enable new collectors](/docs/collect/enable-configure.md) or tweak their behavior. +- [Configure existing health alarms](/docs/monitor/configure-alarms.md) or create new ones. +- [Enable notifications](/docs/monitor/enable-notifications.md) to receive updates about the health of your + infrastructure. +- Change [the long-term metrics retention period](/docs/store/change-metrics-storage.md) using the database engine. + +### Related reference documentation + +- [Netdata Agent · Daemon](/health/README.md) +- [Netdata Agent · Daemon configuration](/daemon/config/README.md) +- [Netdata Agent · Web server](/web/server/README.md) +- [Netdata Agent · Local Agent dashboard](/web/gui/README.md) +- [Netdata Agent · Health monitoring](/health/REFERENCE.md) +- [Netdata Agent · Notifications](/health/notifications/README.md) +- [Netdata Agent · Simple patterns](/libnetdata/simple_pattern/README.md) + +[](<>) diff --git a/docs/configure/nodes.md b/docs/configure/nodes.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d0a6fd7 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/configure/nodes.md @@ -0,0 +1,165 @@ +<!-- +title: "Configure the Netdata Agent" +description: "Netdata is zero-configuration for most users, but complex infrastructures may require you to tweak some of the Agent's granular settings." +custom_edit_url: https://github.com/netdata/netdata/edit/master/docs/configure/nodes.md +--> + +# Configure the Netdata Agent + +Netdata's zero-configuration collection, storage, and visualization features work for many users, infrastructures, and +use cases, but there are some situations where you might want to configure the Netdata Agent running on your node(s), +which can be a physical or virtual machine (VM), container, cloud deployment, or edge/IoT device. + +For example, you might want to increase metrics retention, configure a collector based on your infrastructure's unique +setup, or secure the local dashboard by restricting it to only connections from `localhost`. + +Whatever the reason, Netdata users should know how to configure individual nodes to act decisively if an incident, +anomaly, or change in infrastructure affects how their Agents should perform. + +## The Netdata config directory + +On most Linux systems, using our [recommended one-line installation](/docs/get/README.md#install-the-netdata-agent), the +**Netdata config directory** is `/etc/netdata/`. The config directory contains several configuration files with the +`.conf` extension, a few directories, and a shell script named `edit-config`. + +> Some operating systems will use `/opt/netdata/etc/netdata/` as the config directory. If you're not sure where yours +> is, navigate to `http://NODE:19999/netdata.conf` in your browser, replacing `NODE` with the IP address or hostname of +> your node, and find the `# config directory = ` setting. The value listed is the config directory for your system. + +All of Netdata's documentation assumes that your config directory is at `/etc/netdata`, and that you're running any +scripts from inside that directory. + +## Netdata's configuration files + +Upon installation, the Netdata config directory contains a few files and directories. It's okay if you don't see all +these files in your own Netdata config directory, as the next section describes how to edit any that might not already +exist. + +- `netdata.conf` is the main configuration file. This is where you'll find most configuration options. Read descriptions + for each in the [daemon config](/daemon/config/README.md) doc. +- `edit-config` is a shell script used for [editing configuration files](#use-edit-config-to-edit-configuration-files). +- Various configuration files ending in `.conf` for [configuring plugins or + collectors](/docs/collect/enable-configure.md#enable-a-collector-or-its-orchestrator) behave. Examples: `go.d.conf`, + `python.d.conf`, and `ebpf.conf`. +- Various directories ending in `.d`, which contain other configuration files, each ending in `.conf`, for [configuring + specific collectors](/docs/collect/enable-configure.md#configure-a-collector). +- `apps_groups.conf` is a configuration file for changing how applications/processes are grouped when viewing the + **Application** charts from [`apps.plugin`](/collectors/apps.plugin/README.md) or + [`ebpf.plugin`](/collectors/ebpf.plugin/README.md). +- `health.d/` is a directory that contains [health configuration files](/docs/monitor/configure-alarms.md). +- `health_alarm_notify.conf` enables and configures [alarm notifications](/docs/monitor/enable-notifications.md). +- `statsd.d/` is a directory for configuring Netdata's [statsd collector](/collectors/statsd.plugin/README.md). +- `stream.conf` configures [parent-child streaming](/streaming/README.md) between separate nodes running the Agent. +- `.environment` is a hidden file that describes the environment in which the Netdata Agent is installed, including the + `PATH` and any installation options. Useful for [reinstalling](/packaging/installer/REINSTALL.md) or + [uninstalling](/packaging/installer/UNINSTALL.md) the Agent. + +The Netdata config directory also contains one symlink: + +- `orig` is a symbolic link to the directory `/usr/lib/netdata/conf.d`, which contains stock configuration files. Stock + versions are copied into the config directory when opened with `edit-config`. _Do not edit the files in + `/usr/lib/netdata/conf.d`, as they are overwritten by updates to the Netdata Agent._ + +## Use `edit-config` to edit configuration files + +The **recommended way to easily and safely edit Netdata's configuration** is with the `edit-config` script. This script +opens existing Netdata configuration files using your system's `$EDITOR`. If the file doesn't yet exist in your config +directory, the script copies the stock version from `/usr/lib/netdata/conf.d` and opens it for editing. + +Run `edit-config` without any options to see details on its usage and a list of all the configuration files you can +edit. + +```bash +./edit-config +USAGE: + ./edit-config FILENAME + + Copy and edit the stock config file named: FILENAME + if FILENAME is already copied, it will be edited as-is. + + The EDITOR shell variable is used to define the editor to be used. + + Stock config files at: '/usr/lib/netdata/conf.d' + User config files at: '/etc/netdata' + + Available files in '/usr/lib/netdata/conf.d' to copy and edit: + +./apps_groups.conf ./health.d/phpfpm.conf +./aws_kinesis.conf ./health.d/pihole.conf +./charts.d/ap.conf ./health.d/portcheck.conf +./charts.d/apcupsd.conf ./health.d/postgres.conf +... +``` + +To edit `netdata.conf`, run `./edit-config netdata.conf`. You may need to elevate your privileges with `sudo` or another +method for `edit-config` to write into the config directory. Use your `$EDITOR`, make your changes, and save the file. + +> `edit-config` uses the `EDITOR` environment variable on your system to edit the file. On many systems, that is +> defaulted to `vim` or `nano`. Use `export EDITOR=` to change this temporarily, or edit your shell configuration file +> to change to permanently. + +After you make your changes, you need to [restart the Agent](/docs/configure/start-stop-restart.md) with `sudo systemctl +restart netdata` or the appropriate method for your system. + +Here's an example of editing the node's hostname, which appears in both the local dashboard and in Netdata Cloud. + + + +### Other configuration files + +You can edit any Netdata configuration file using `edit-config`. A few examples: + +```bash +./edit-config apps_groups.conf +./edit-config ebpf.conf +./edit-config health.d/load.conf +./edit-config go.d/prometheus.conf +``` + +The documentation for each of Netdata's components explains which file(s) to edit to achieve the desired behavior. + +## See an Agent's running configuration + +On start, the Netdata Agent daemon attempts to load `netdata.conf`. If that file is missing, incomplete, or contains +invalid settings, the daemon attempts to run sane defaults instead. In other words, the state of `netdata.conf` on your +filesystem may be different from the state of the Netdata Agent itself. + +To see the _running configuration_, navigate to `http://NODE:19999/netdata.conf` in your browser, replacing `NODE` with +the IP address or hostname of your node. The file displayed here is exactly the settings running live in the Netdata +Agent. + +If you're having issues with configuring the Agent, apply the running configuration to `netdata.conf` by downloading the +file to the Netdata config directory. Use `sudo` to elevate privileges. + +```bash +wget -O /etc/netdata/netdata.conf http://localhost:19999/netdata.conf +# or +curl -o /etc/netdata/netdata.conf http://NODE:19999/netdata.conf +``` + +## What's next? + +Learn more about [starting, stopping, or restarting](/docs/configure/start-stop-restart.md) the Netdata daemon to apply +configuration changes. + +Apply some [common configuration changes](/docs/configure/common-changes.md) to quickly tweak the Agent's behavior. + +[Add security to your node](/docs/configure/secure-nodes.md) with what you've learned about the Netdata config directory +and `edit-config`. We put together a few security best practices based on how you use the Netdata. + +You can also take what you've learned about node configuration to enable or enhance features: + +- [Enable new collectors](/docs/collect/enable-configure.md) or tweak their behavior. +- [Configure existing health alarms](/docs/monitor/configure-alarms.md) or create new ones. +- [Enable notifications](/docs/monitor/enable-notifications.md) to receive updates about the health of your + infrastructure. +- Change [the long-term metrics retention period](/docs/store/change-metrics-storage.md) using the database engine. + +### Related reference documentation + +- [Netdata Agent · Daemon](docs/agent/daemon) +- [Netdata Agent · Health monitoring](/health/README.md) +- [Netdata Agent · Notifications](/health/notifications/README.md) + +[](<>) diff --git a/docs/configure/secure-nodes.md b/docs/configure/secure-nodes.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..704db35 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/configure/secure-nodes.md @@ -0,0 +1,123 @@ +<!-- +title: "Secure your nodes" +description: "Your data and systems are safe with Netdata, but we recommend a few easy ways to improve the security of your infrastructure." +custom_edit_url: https://github.com/netdata/netdata/edit/master/docs/configure/secure-nodes.md +--> + +# Secure your nodes + +Upon installation, the Netdata Agent serves the **local dashboard** at port `19999`. If the node is accessible to the +internet at large, anyone can access the dashboard and your node's metrics at `http://NODE:19999`. We made this decision +so that the local dashboard was immediately accessible to users, and so that we don't dictate how professionals set up +and secure their infrastructures. + +Despite this design decision, your [data](/docs/netdata-security.md#your-data-are-safe-with-netdata) and your +[systems](/docs/netdata-security.md#your-systems-are-safe-with-netdata) are safe with Netdata. Netdata is read-only, +cannot do anything other than present metrics, and runs without special/`sudo` privileges. Also, the local dashboard +only exposes chart metadata and metric values, not raw data. + +While Netdata is secure by design, we believe you should [protect your +nodes](/docs/netdata-security.md#why-netdata-should-be-protected). If left accessible to the internet at large, the +local dashboard could reveal sensitive information about your infrastructure. For example, an attacker can view which +applications you run (databases, webservers, and so on), or see every user account on a node. + +Instead of dictating how to secure your infrastructure, we give you many options to establish security best practices +that align with your goals and your organization's standards. + +- [Disable the local dashboard](#disable-the-local-dashboard): **Simplest and recommended method** for those who have + added nodes to Netdata Cloud and view dashboards and metrics there. +- [Restrict access to the local dashboard](#restrict-access-to-the-local-dashboard): Allow local dashboard access from + only certain IP addresses, such as a trusted static IP or connections from behind a management LAN. Full support for + Netdata Cloud. +- [Use a reverse proxy](#use-a-reverse-proxy): Password-protect a local dashboard and enable TLS to secure it. Full + support for Netdata Cloud. + +## Disable the local dashboard + +This is the _recommended method for those who have claimed their nodes to Netdata Cloud_ and prefer viewing real-time +metrics using the War Room Overview, Nodes view, and Cloud dashboards. + +You can disable the local dashboard (and API) but retain the encrypted Agent-Cloud link ([ACLK](/aclk/README.md)) that +allows you to stream metrics on demand from your nodes via the Netdata Cloud interface. This change mitigates all +concerns about revealing metrics and system design to the internet at large, while keeping all the functionality you +need to view metrics and troubleshoot issues with Netdata Cloud. + +Open `netdata.conf` with `./edit-config netdata.conf`. Scroll down to the `[web]` section, and find the `mode = +static-threaded` setting, and change it to `none`. + +```conf +[web] + mode = none +``` + +Save and close the editor, then [restart your Agent](/docs/configure/start-stop-restart.md) using `sudo systemctl +restart netdata`. If you try to visit the local dashboard to `http://NODE:19999` again, the connection will fail because +that node no longer serves its local dashboard. + +> See the [configuration basics doc](/docs/configure/nodes.md) for details on how to find `netdata.conf` and use +> `edit-config`. + +## Restrict access to the local dashboard + +If you want to keep using the local dashboard, but don't want it exposed to the internet, you can restrict access with +[access lists](/web/server/README.md#access-lists). This method also fully retains the ability to stream metrics +on-demand through Netdata Cloud. + +The `allow connections from` setting helps you allow only certain IP addresses or FQDN/hostnames, such as a trusted +static IP, only `localhost`, or connections from behind a management LAN. + +By default, this setting is `localhost *`. This setting allows connections from `localhost` in addition to _all_ +connections, using the `*` wildcard. You can change this setting using Netdata's [simple +patterns](/libnetdata/simple_pattern/README.md). + +```conf +[web] + # Allow only localhost connections + allow connections from = localhost + + # Allow only from management LAN running on `10.X.X.X` + allow connections from = 10.* + + # Allow connections only from a specific FQDN/hostname + allow connections from = example* +``` + +The `allow connections from` setting is global and restricts access to the dashboard, badges, streaming, API, and +`netdata.conf`, but you can also set each of those access lists more granularly if you choose: + +```conf +[web] + allow connections from = localhost * + allow dashboard from = localhost * + allow badges from = * + allow streaming from = * + allow netdata.conf from = localhost fd* 10.* 192.168.* 172.16.* 172.17.* 172.18.* 172.19.* 172.20.* 172.21.* 172.22.* 172.23.* 172.24.* 172.25.* 172.26.* 172.27.* 172.28.* 172.29.* 172.30.* 172.31.* + allow management from = localhost +``` + +See the [web server](/web/server/README.md#access-lists) docs for additional details about access lists. You can take +access lists one step further by [enabling SSL](/web/server/README.md#enabling-tls-support) to encrypt data from local +dashboard in transit. The connection to Netdata Cloud is always secured with TLS. + +## Use a reverse proxy + +You can also put Netdata behind a reverse proxy for additional security while retaining the functionality of both the +local dashboard and Netdata Cloud dashboards. You can use a reverse proxy to password-protect the local dashboard and +enable HTTPS to encrypt metadata and metric values in transit. + +We recommend Nginx, as it's what we use for our [demo server](https://london.my-netdata.io/), and we have a guide +dedicated to [running Netdata behind Nginx](/docs/Running-behind-nginx.md). + +We also have guides for [Apache](/docs/Running-behind-apache.md), [Lighttpd](/docs/Running-behind-lighttpd.md), +[HAProxy](/docs/Running-behind-haproxy.md), and [Caddy](/docs/Running-behind-caddy.md). + +## What's next? + +Read about [Netdata's security design](/docs/netdata-security.md) and our [blog +post](https://www.netdata.cloud/blog/netdata-agent-dashboard/) about why the local Agent dashboard is both open and +secure by design. + +Next up, learn about [collectors](/docs/collect/how-collectors-work.md) to ensure you're gathering every essential +metric about your node, its applications, and your infrastructure at large. + +[](<>) diff --git a/docs/configure/start-stop-restart.md b/docs/configure/start-stop-restart.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4967fff --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/configure/start-stop-restart.md @@ -0,0 +1,98 @@ +<!-- +title: "Start, stop, or restart the Netdata Agent" +description: "Manage the Netdata Agent daemon, load configuration changes, and troubleshoot stuck processes on systemd and non-systemd nodes." +custom_edit_url: https://github.com/netdata/netdata/edit/master/docs/configure/start-stop-restart.md +--> + +# Start, stop, or restart the Netdata Agent + +When you install the Netdata Agent, the [daemon](/daemon/README.md) is configured to start at boot and stop and +restart/shutdown. + +You will most often need to _restart_ the Agent to load new or editing configuration files. [Health +configuration](#reload-health-configuration) files are the only exception, as they can be reloaded without restarting +the entire Agent. + +Stopping or restarting the Netdata Agent will cause gaps in stored metrics until the `netdata` process initiates +collectors and the database engine. + +## Using `systemctl`, `service`, or `init.d` + +This is the recommended way to start, stop, or restart the Netdata daemon. + +- To **start** Netdata, run `sudo systemctl start netdata`. +- To **stop** Netdata, run `sudo systemctl stop netdata`. +- To **restart** Netdata, run `sudo systemctl restart netdata`. + +If the above commands fail, or you know that you're using a non-systemd system, try using the `service` command: + +- **service**: `sudo service netdata start`, `sudo service netdata stop`, `sudo service netdata restart` + +## Using `netdata` + +Use the `netdata` command, typically located at `/usr/sbin/netdata`, to start the Netdata daemon. + +```bash +sudo netdata +``` + +If you start the daemon this way, close it with `sudo killall netdata`. + +## Using `netdatacli` + +The Netdata Agent also comes with a [CLI tool](/cli/README.md) capable of performing shutdowns. Start the Agent back up +using your preferred method listed above. + +```bash +sudo netdatacli shutdown-agent +``` + +## Reload health configuration + +You do not need to restart the Netdata Agent between changes to health configuration files, such as specific health +entities. Instead, use [`netdatacli`](#using-netdatacli) and the `reload-health` option to prevent gaps in metrics +collection. + +```bash +sudo netdatacli reload-health +``` + +If `netdatacli` doesn't work on your system, send a `SIGUSR2` signal to the daemon, which reloads health configuration +without restarting the entire process. + +```bash +killall -USR2 netdata +``` + +## Force stop stalled or unresponsive `netdata` processes + +In rare cases, the Netdata Agent may stall or not properly close sockets, preventing a new process from starting. In +these cases, try the following three commands: + +```bash +sudo systemctl stop netdata +sudo killall netdata +ps aux| grep netdata +``` + +The output of `ps aux` should show no `netdata` or associated processes running. You can now start the Netdata Agent +again with `service netdata start`, or the appropriate method for your system. + +## What's next? + +Learn more about [securing the Netdata Agent](/docs/configure/secure-nodes.md). + +You can also use the restart/reload methods described above to enable new features: + +- [Enable new collectors](/docs/collect/enable-configure.md) or tweak their behavior. +- [Configure existing health alarms](/docs/monitor/configure-alarms.md) or create new ones. +- [Enable notifications](/docs/monitor/enable-notifications.md) to receive updates about the health of your + infrastructure. +- Change [the long-term metrics retention period](/docs/store/change-metrics-storage.md) using the database engine. + +### Related reference documentation + +- [Netdata Agent · Daemon](/daemon/README.md) +- [Netdata Agent · Netdata CLI](/cli/README.md) + +[](<>) |