Installing Checkmk Server ARM-based system like a Raspberry Pi

Table of Contents
Installing Checkmk Server on a Raspberry Pi (ARM) #
Monitoring your IT infrastructure is crucial for maintaining uptime and resolving issues proactively (even if it is perhaps only your own home infrastructure). Checkmk is a powerful and comprehensive monitoring tool that can provide real-time insights into your systems. While Checkmk doesn’t officially support ARM, a community-maintained ARM package is available. This guide outlines how to install Checkmk Server on a Raspberry Pi using the package from chrisss404/check-mk-arm.
Prerequisites #
Before starting, ensure you have the following:
- A Raspberry Pi 3 or better Pi 4 (recommended for performance).
- A microSD card (32GB or larger) with Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit) installed.
- A stable internet connection ;-)
- Basic knowledge of Linux commands.
Step 1: Prepare Your Raspberry Pi #
- Update the Raspberry Pi OS:
Make sure your Raspberry Pi OS is up-to-date. Open a terminal and run:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
Step 2: Download and Install the ARM Package #
Download the Package: Download the prebuild Deb-package from Github. You will find the latest version here: https://github.com/chrisss404/check-mk-arm/releases
cd /tmp wget https://github.com/chrisss404/check-mk-arm/releases/download/2.1.0p18/check-mk-raw-2.1.0p18_0.bullseye_arm64.deb
Install the Package: Use the package manager to install Checkmk:
dpkg -i /tmp/check-mk-raw-2.1.0p18_0.bullseye_arm64.deb apt-get update && apt-get install -f
Step 3: Configure Checkmk #
Create a Monitoring Site: Checkmk uses sites to organize monitoring configurations. Create a site named
monitoring
:sudo omd create monitoring
During this process, Checkmk will initialize the configuration and directories for the site.
Start the Site: Activate the site to start monitoring:
sudo omd start monitoring
Access the Web Interface: Find the IP address of your Raspberry Pi by running:
hostname -I
Open a web browser and navigate to
http://<raspberry-pi-ip>/<site-name>
. For example:http://192.168.1.100/monitoring
Log in with the default credentials:
- Username:
cmkadmin
- Password: Set during the site creation.
- Username:
Step 4: Configure Monitoring #
Add Hosts: Use the web interface to add hosts you want to monitor. Configure agents or SNMP settings as needed.
Set Up Notifications: Configure email alerts or integrations with other systems to receive notifications for critical events.
Step 5: Optimize Performance #
Running Checkmk on a Raspberry Pi is resource-constrained compared to a dedicated server. To optimize performance:
- Limit the number of hosts and services monitored.
- Use lightweight checks.
- Regularly monitor the Raspberry Pi’s CPU and memory usage.
Conclusion #
Using the ARM package from chrisss404/check-mk-arm allows you to install Checkmk Server on a Raspberry Pi seamlessly. This setup provides a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution for small-scale monitoring needs. Follow the steps in this guide to get started and enjoy the benefits of real-time infrastructure insights.