Root and non root installations for Linux agent

Differences between root and non root installations for Linux agent

The Site24x7 Linux FullStack Agent can be installed and run in three ways:

  • Install as root and run as root
  • Install as root and run as non-root (a dedicated non-root service user)
  • Install as non-root and run as non-root

Each mode supports a slightly different set of features, as summarized below.

FeatureInstall as root and run as rootInstall as root and run as non-rootInstall as non-root and run as non-root
Server monitoringAll server metrics are collectedCollected. Exceptions:
  • Open File Descriptors
  • Hardware serial number
  • Handle count for processes owned by other users
Collected. Exceptions:
  • Open File Descriptors
  • Hardware serial number
  • Handle count for processes owned by other users
Applications (Docker, Podman)All metrics, no configuration requiredAdd site24x7-agent to the Docker or Podman socket group*Add the non-root user to the Docker or Podman socket group*
PluginsNo configuration requiredPlace the plugin files under the plugin directory and run: 
chown -R site24x7-agent:site24x7-group <plugin_folder>
chmod +x <plugin_script>
No configuration required
SyslogsCollected, no configuration requiredCollected, no configuration requiredAppend *.* @127.0.0.1:8822 to /etc/rsyslog.conf and restart rsyslog: 
sudo service rsyslog restart
**
AppLogsCollects log if the files are accessibleCollects log if site24x7-agent can access the log filesCollects log if the non-root user can access the log files
eBPFSupportedNot supportedNot supported
APM Insight AutoProfilerSupportedNot supportedNot supported
Auto-startRegistered as a service. Starts automatically after reboot.Registered as a service. Starts automatically after reboot.Not registered as a service. Added to ~/.bash_profile. Login or manual start is required after reboot to start.
Install path/opt/site24x7/monagent/opt/site24x7/monagent<home_dir_of_user>/site24x7/monagent

* Docker/Podman socket group

Metrics are collected through the UNIX socket. Add the runtime user to the group that owns the socket, then restart the agent:

docker_group=`stat -c %G /var/run/docker.sock`
sudo usermod -aG $docker_group site24x7-agent
 
podman_group=`stat -c %G /var/run/podman/podman.sock`
sudo usermod -aG $podman_group site24x7-agent

For a non-root installation, replace site24x7-agent with the user that runs the agent.

** Restarting rsyslog

Requires root or sudo privileges.