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+<!--
+title: "eBPF monitoring with Netdata"
+description: "Use Netdata's extended Berkeley Packet Filter (eBPF) collector to monitor kernel-level metrics about your complex applications with per-second granularity."
+custom_edit_url: https://github.com/netdata/netdata/edit/master/collectors/ebpf.plugin/README.md
+sidebar_label: "eBPF"
+-->
+
+# eBPF monitoring with Netdata
+
+Netdata's extended Berkeley Packet Filter (eBPF) collector monitors kernel-level metrics for file descriptors, virtual
+filesystem IO, and process management on Linux systems. You can use our eBPF collector to analyze how and when a process
+accesses files, when it makes system calls, whether it leaks memory or creating zombie processes, and more.
+
+Netdata's eBPF monitoring toolkit uses two custom eBPF programs. The default, called `entry`, monitors calls to a
+variety of kernel functions, such as `do_sys_open`, `__close_fd`, `vfs_read`, `vfs_write`, `_do_fork`, and more. The
+`return` program also monitors the return of each kernel functions to deliver more granular metrics about how your
+system and its applications interact with the Linux kernel.
+
+eBPF monitoring can help you troubleshoot and debug how applications interact with the Linux kernel. See our [guide on
+troubleshooting apps with eBPF metrics](/docs/guides/troubleshoot/monitor-debug-applications-ebpf.md) for configuration
+and troubleshooting tips.
+
+<figure>
+ <img src="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/1153921/74746434-ad6a1e00-5222-11ea-858a-a7882617ae02.png" alt="An example of VFS charts, made possible by the eBPF collector plugin" />
+ <figcaption>An example of VFS charts made possible by the eBPF collector plugin.</figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+## Enable the collector on Linux
+
+**The eBPF collector is installed and enabled by default on most new installations of the Agent**. The eBPF collector
+does not currently work with [static build installations](/packaging/installer/methods/kickstart-64.md), but improved
+support is in active development.
+
+eBPF monitoring only works on Linux systems and with specific Linux kernels, including all kernels newer than `4.11.0`,
+and all kernels on CentOS 7.6 or later.
+
+If your Agent is v1.22 or older, you may to enable the collector yourself. See the [configuration](#configuration)
+section for details.
+
+## Charts
+
+The eBPF collector creates an **eBPF** menu in the Agent's dashboard along with three sub-menus: **File**, **VFS**, and
+**Process**. All the charts in this section update every second. The collector stores the actual value inside of its
+process, but charts only show the difference between the values collected in the previous and current seconds.
+
+### File
+
+This group has two charts demonstrating how software interacts with the Linux kernel to open and close file descriptors.
+
+#### File descriptor
+
+This chart contains two dimensions that show the number of calls to the functions `do_sys_open` and `__close_fd`. Most
+software do not commonly call these functions directly, but they are behind the system calls `open(2)`, `openat(2)`,
+and `close(2)`.
+
+#### File error
+
+This chart shows the number of times some software tried and failed to open or close a file descriptor.
+
+### VFS
+
+A [virtual file system](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_file_system) (VFS) is a layer on top of regular
+filesystems. The functions present inside this API are used for all filesystems, so it's possible the charts in this
+group won't show _all_ the actions that occurred on your system.
+
+#### Deleted objects
+
+This chart monitors calls for `vfs_unlink`. This function is responsible for removing objects from the file system.
+
+#### IO
+
+This chart shows the number of calls to the functions `vfs_read` and `vfs_write`.
+
+#### IO bytes
+
+This chart also monitors `vfs_read` and `vfs_write`, but instead shows the total of bytes read and written with these
+functions.
+
+The Agent displays the number of bytes written as negative because they are moving down to disk.
+
+#### IO errors
+
+The Agent counts and shows the number of instances where a running program experiences a read or write error.
+
+### Process
+
+For this group, the eBPF collector monitors process/thread creation and process end, and then displays any errors in the
+following charts.
+
+#### Process thread
+
+Internally, the Linux kernel treats both processes and threads as `tasks`. To create a thread, the kernel offers a few
+system calls: `fork(2)`, `vfork(2)` and `clone(2)`. In turn, each of these system calls use the function `_do_fork`. To
+generate this chart, the eBPF collector monitors `_do_fork` to populate the `process` dimension, and monitors
+`sys_clone` to identify threads.
+
+#### Exit
+
+Ending a task requires two steps. The first is a call to the internal function `do_exit`, which notifies the operating
+system that the task is finishing its work. The second step is to release the kernel information with the internal
+function `release_task`. The difference between the two dimensions can help you discover [zombie
+processes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie_process).
+
+#### Task error
+
+The functions responsible for ending tasks do not return values, so this chart contains information about failures on
+process and thread creation.
+
+## Configuration
+
+Enable or disable the entire eBPF collector by editing `netdata.conf`.
+
+```bash
+cd /etc/netdata/ # Replace with your Netdata configuration directory, if not /etc/netdata/
+./edit-config netdata.conf
+```
+
+To enable the collector, scroll down to the `[plugins]` section ensure the relevant line references `ebpf` (not
+`ebpf_process`), is uncommented, and is set to `yes`.
+
+```conf
+[plugins]
+ ebpf = yes
+```
+
+You can also configure the eBPF collector's behavior by editing `ebpf.conf`.
+
+```bash
+cd /etc/netdata/ # Replace with your Netdata configuration directory, if not /etc/netdata/
+./edit-config ebpf.conf
+```
+
+### `[global]`
+
+The `[global]` section defines settings for the whole eBPF collector.
+
+#### ebpf load mode
+
+The collector has two different eBPF programs. These programs monitor the same functions inside the kernel, but they
+monitor, process, and display different kinds of information.
+
+By default, this plugin uses the `entry` mode. Changing this mode can create significant overhead on your operating
+system, but also offer valuable information if you are developing or debugging software. The `ebpf load mode` option
+accepts the following values: ​
+
+- `entry`: This is the default mode. In this mode, the eBPF collector only monitors calls for the functions described
+ in the sections above, and does not show charts related to errors.
+- `return`: In the `return` mode, the eBPF collector monitors the same kernel functions as `entry`, but also creates
+ new charts for the return of these functions, such as errors. Monitoring function returns can help in debugging
+ software, such as failing to close file descriptors or creating zombie processes.
+
+#### Integration with `apps.plugin`
+
+The eBPF collector also creates charts for each running application through an integration with the
+[`apps.plugin`](/collectors/apps.plugin/README.md). This integration helps you understand how specific applications
+interact with the Linux kernel.
+
+When the integration is enabled, your dashboard will also show the following charts using low-level Linux metrics:
+
+- eBPF file
+ - Number of calls to open files. (`apps.file_open`)
+ - Number of files closed. (`apps.file_closed`)
+ - Number of calls to open files that returned errors.
+ - Number of calls to close files that returned errors.
+- eBPF syscall
+ - Number of calls to delete files. (`apps.file_deleted`)
+ - Number of calls to `vfs_write`. (`apps.vfs_write_call`)
+ - Number of calls to `vfs_read`. (`apps.vfs_read_call`)
+ - Number of bytes written with `vfs_write`. (`apps.vfs_write_bytes`)
+ - Number of bytes read with `vfs_read`. (`apps.vfs_read_bytes`)
+ - Number of calls to write a file that returned errors.
+ - Number of calls to read a file that returned errors.
+- eBPF process
+ - Number of process created with `do_fork`. (`apps.process_create`)
+ - Number of threads created with `do_fork` or `__x86_64_sys_clone`, depending on your system's kernel version. (`apps.thread_create`)
+ - Number of times that a process called `do_exit`. (`apps.task_close`)
+- eBPF net
+ - Number of bytes sent. (`apps.bandwidth_sent`)
+ - Number of bytes received. (`apps.bandwidth_recv`)
+
+If you want to _disable_ the integration with `apps.plugin` along with the above charts, change the setting `apps` to
+`no`.
+
+```conf
+[global]
+ apps = yes
+```
+
+### `[ebpf programs]`
+
+The eBPF collector enables and runs the following eBPF programs by default:
+
+- `process`: This eBPF program creates charts that show information about process creation, VFS IO, and files removed.
+ When in `return` mode, it also creates charts showing errors when these operations are executed.
+- `network viewer`: This eBPF program creates charts with information about `TCP` and `UDP` functions, including the
+ bandwidth consumed by each.
+
+### `[network connections]`
+
+You can configure the information shown on `outbound` and `inbound` charts with the settings in this section.
+
+```conf
+[network connections]
+ maximum dimensions = 500
+ resolve hostname ips = no
+ ports = 1-1024 !145 !domain
+ hostnames = !example.com
+ ips = !127.0.0.1/8 10.0.0.0/8 172.16.0.0/12 192.168.0.0/16 fc00::/7
+```
+
+When you define a `ports` setting, Netdata will collect network metrics for that specific port. For example, if you
+write `ports = 19999`, Netdata will collect only connections for itself. The `hostnames` setting accepts
+[simple patterns](/libnetdata/simple_pattern/README.md). The `ports`, and `ips` settings accept negation (`!`) to
+ deny specific values or asterisk alone to define all values.
+
+In the above example, Netdata will collect metrics for all ports between 1 and 443, with the exception of 53 (domain)
+and 145.
+
+The following options are available:
+
+- `ports`: Define the destination ports for Netdata to monitor.
+- `hostnames`: The list of hostnames that can be resolved to an IP address.
+- `ips`: The IP or range of IPs that you want to monitor. You can use IPv4 or IPv6 addresses, use dashes to define a
+ range of IPs, or use CIDR values. The default behavior is to only collect data for private IP addresses, but this
+ can be changed with the `ips` setting.
+
+By default, Netdata displays up to 500 dimensions on network connection charts. If there are more possible dimensions,
+they will be bundled into the `other` dimension. You can increase the number of shown dimensions by changing the `maximum
+dimensions` setting.
+
+The dimensions for the traffic charts are created using the destination IPs of the sockets by default. This can be
+changed setting `resolve hostname ips = yes` and restarting Netdata, after this Netdata will create dimensions using
+the `hostnames` every time that is possible to resolve IPs to their hostnames.
+
+### `[service name]`
+
+Netdata uses the list of services in `/etc/services` to plot network connection charts. If this file does not contain the
+name for a particular service you use in your infrastructure, you will need to add it to the `[service name]` section.
+
+For example, Netdata's default port (`19999`) is not listed in `/etc/services`. To associate that port with the Netdata
+service in network connection charts, and thus see the name of the service instead of its port, define it:
+
+```conf
+[service name]
+ 19999 = Netdata
+```
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+If the eBPF collector does not work, you can troubleshoot it by running the `ebpf.plugin` command and investigating its
+output.
+
+```bash
+cd /usr/libexec/netdata/plugins.d/
+sudo su -s /bin/bash netdata
+./ebpf.plugin
+```
+
+You can also use `grep` to search the Agent's `error.log` for messages related to eBPF monitoring.
+
+```bash
+grep -i ebpf /var/log/netdata/error.log
+```
+
+### Confirm kernel compatibility
+
+The eBPF collector only works on Linux systems and with specific Linux kernels. We support all kernels more recent than
+`4.11.0`, and all kernels on CentOS 7.6 or later.
+
+You can run our helper script to determine whether your system can support eBPF monitoring.
+
+```bash
+curl -sSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/netdata/kernel-collector/master/tools/check-kernel-config.sh | sudo bash
+```
+
+If this script returns no output, your system is ready to compile and run the eBPF collector.
+
+If you see a warning about a missing kernel configuration (`KPROBES KPROBES_ON_FTRACE HAVE_KPROBES BPF BPF_SYSCALL
+BPF_JIT`), you will need to recompile your kernel to support this configuration. The process of recompiling Linux
+kernels varies based on your distribution and version. Read the documentation for your system's distribution to learn
+more about the specific workflow for recompiling the kernel, ensuring that you set all the necessary
+
+- [Ubuntu](https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/BuildYourOwnKernel)
+- [Debian](https://kernel-team.pages.debian.net/kernel-handbook/ch-common-tasks.html#s-common-official)
+- [Fedora](https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Building_a_custom_kernel)
+- [CentOS](https://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/Custom_Kernel)
+- [Arch Linux](https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Kernel/Traditional_compilation)
+- [Slackware](https://docs.slackware.com/howtos:slackware_admin:kernelbuilding)
+
+### Mount `debugfs` and `tracefs`
+
+The eBPF collector also requires both the `tracefs` and `debugfs` filesystems. Try mounting the `tracefs` and `debugfs`
+filesystems using the commands below:
+
+```bash
+sudo mount -t debugfs nodev /sys/kernel/debug
+sudo mount -t tracefs nodev /sys/kernel/tracing
+```
+
+If they are already mounted, you will see an error. You can also configure your system's `/etc/fstab` configuration to
+mount these filesystems on startup. More information can be found in the [ftrace documentation](https://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation/trace/ftrace.txt).
+
+## Performance
+
+Because eBPF monitoring is complex, we are evaluating the performance of this new collector in various real-world
+conditions, across various system loads, and when monitoring complex applications.
+
+Our [initial testing](https://github.com/netdata/netdata/issues/8195) shows the performance of the eBPF collector is
+nearly identical to our [apps.plugin collector](/collectors/apps.plugin/README.md), despite collecting and displaying
+much more sophisticated metrics. You can now use the eBPF to gather deeper insights without affecting the performance of
+your complex applications at any load.
+
+## SELinux
+
+When [SELinux](https://www.redhat.com/en/topics/linux/what-is-selinux) is enabled, it may prevent `ebpf.plugin` from
+starting correctly. Check the Agent's `error.log` file for errors like the ones below:
+
+```bash
+2020-06-14 15:32:08: ebpf.plugin ERROR : EBPF PROCESS : Cannot load program: /usr/libexec/netdata/plugins.d/pnetdata_ebpf_process.3.10.0.o (errno 13, Permission denied)
+2020-06-14 15:32:19: netdata ERROR : PLUGINSD[ebpf] : read failed: end of file (errno 9, Bad file descriptor)
+```
+
+You can also check for errors related to `ebpf.plugin` inside `/var/log/audit/audit.log`:
+
+```bash
+type=AVC msg=audit(1586260134.952:97): avc: denied { map_create } for pid=1387 comm="ebpf.pl" scontext=system_u:system_r:unconfined_service_t:s0 tcontext=system_u:system_r:unconfined_service_t:s0 tclass=bpf permissive=0
+type=SYSCALL msg=audit(1586260134.952:97): arch=c000003e syscall=321 success=no exit=-13 a0=0 a1=7ffe6b36f000 a2=70 a3=0 items=0 ppid=1135 pid=1387 auid=4294967295 uid=994 gid=990 euid=0 suid=0 fsuid=0 egid=990 sgid=990 fsgid=990 tty=(none) ses=4294967295 comm="ebpf_proc
+ess.pl" exe="/usr/libexec/netdata/plugins.d/ebpf.plugin" subj=system_u:system_r:unconfined_service_t:s0 key=(null)
+```
+
+If you see similar errors, you will have to adjust SELinux's policies to enable the eBPF collector.
+
+### Creation of bpf policies
+
+To enable `ebpf.plugin` to run on a distribution with SELinux enabled, it will be necessary to take the following
+actions.
+
+First, stop the Netdata Agent.
+
+```bash
+# systemctl stop netdata
+```
+
+Next, create a policy with the `audit.log` file you examined earlier.
+
+```bash
+# grep ebpf.plugin /var/log/audit/audit.log | audit2allow -M netdata_ebpf
+```
+
+This will create two new files: `netdata_ebpf.te` and `netdata_ebpf.mod`.
+
+Edit the `netdata_ebpf.te` file to change the options `class` and `allow`. You should have the following at the end of
+the `netdata_ebpf.te` file.
+
+```conf
+module netdata_ebpf 1.0;
+require {
+ type unconfined_service_t;
+ class bpf { map_create map_read map_write prog_load prog_run };
+}
+#============= unconfined_service_t ==============
+allow unconfined_service_t self:bpf { map_create map_read map_write prog_load prog_run };
+```
+
+Then compile your `netdata_ebpf.te` file with the following commands to create a binary that loads the new policies:
+
+```bash
+# checkmodule -M -m -o netdata_ebpf.mod netdata_ebpf.te
+# semodule_package -o netdata_ebpf.pp -m netdata_ebpf.mod
+```
+
+Finally, you can load the new policy and start the Netdata agent again:
+
+```bash
+# semodule -i netdata_ebpf.pp
+# systemctl start netdata
+```
+
+## Lockdown
+
+Beginning with [version 5.4](https://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-to-get-kernel-lockdown-feature/), the Linux kernel has
+a feature called "lockdown," which may affect `ebpf.plugin` depending how the kernel was compiled. The following table
+shows how the lockdown module impacts `ebpf.plugin` based on the selected options:
+
+| Enforcing kernel lockdown | Enable lockdown LSM early in init | Default lockdown mode | Can `ebpf.plugin` run with this? |
+|:------------------------- |:--------------------------------- |:--------------------- |:-------------------------------- |
+| YES | NO | NO | YES |
+| YES | Yes | None | YES |
+| YES | Yes | Integrity | YES |
+| YES | Yes | Confidentiality | NO |
+
+If you or your distribution compiled the kernel with the last combination, your system cannot load shared libraries
+required to run `ebpf.plugin`.
+
+## Cleaning `kprobe_events`
+The eBPF collector adds entries to the file `/sys/kernel/debug/tracing/kprobe_events`, and cleans them on exit, unless
+another process prevents it. If you need to clean the eBPF entries safely, you can manually run the script
+`/usr/libexec/netdata/plugins.d/reset_netdata_trace.sh`.
+
+[![analytics](https://www.google-analytics.com/collect?v=1&aip=1&t=pageview&_s=1&ds=github&dr=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fnetdata%2Fnetdata&dl=https%3A%2F%2Fmy-netdata.io%2Fgithub%2Fcollectors%2Febpf.plugin%2FREADME&_u=MAC~&cid=5792dfd7-8dc4-476b-af31-da2fdb9f93d2&tid=UA-64295674-3)](<>)