Linux agent
Install the Netwatch agent on Linux systems using the single-command installer.
This guide describes how to add Linux systems to Netwatch using the single-command installer. The installer downloads and configures the Netwatch monitoring agent, then enables it as a service.
Supported Platforms
The installer supports x86_64 systems across the following Linux families:
- RHEL family – RHEL, Rocky, AlmaLinux, Oracle Linux, CentOS, Amazon Linux, Fedora
- Debian family – Debian, Ubuntu, and derivatives
- SUSE family – SLES / openSUSE
Installation
Run one of the following commands on the target host with root privileges.
Using curl:
Using wget:
The installer automatically detects the operating system, selects the correct package, installs it using the native package manager, writes the configuration, and starts the service.
Configuration Options
Additional options can be passed to the installer after -s --.
| Option | Purpose | Default |
|---|---|---|
--server <host> | Specifies the monitoring server endpoint | Built-in default |
--hostname <name> | Sets the agent's registered identity in Netwatch | Machine hostname |
Example – install with a custom server and hostname:
Verification
Confirm the agent is installed and running:
The service should report as active (running). Once running, the system will appear in Netwatch under its respective host group.
Troubleshooting
If the installation fails, review the installer error log:
The agent configuration is written to /etc/netwatch/netwatch_agent.conf. Verify the Server (or ServerActive) and Hostname values here match your environment.
Key Notes
- The installer requires root privileges (
sudo). - Only x86_64 architectures are supported.
- The agent is installed as a native package and enabled as a systemd service, so it starts automatically on boot.
For assistance or custom builds, please contact the Netwatch support team.