Syntax to create items?

[todd.hank]

I am actually a little hesitant to make my first post here. I generally can read articles and manuals and understand the processes. In this case, I am just plain lost. Let me explain.

I have our first installation of zabbix running and I have a basically understand how things work, Items, Triggers, and applications. I have a windows 2003 server that I am trying to monitor. My issue is where do I get information on how to set-up my own monitors. I have looked at the templates and the coding is not easy for me to understand.

For instance, the code to monitor the free space on the C drive is:

vfs.fs.size[c:,free]

Breaking that code down I just don't understand where vfs.fs.size came from. Where do I get a list of other items I can monitor and the syntax.

Then the next question is how do I set-up User Defined Parameters? I understand that I need to add these items to the agent.conf file on the server I am monitoring but where do I get examples of how to do that.

Any advice or guidance would be appreciated. I see that zabbix is a very powerful monitoring system I am very anxious to get it operational.

Thanks,

Todd

[MrKen]

Hi Todd,

1. (Where does vfs.fs.size come from?) These are the items keys that zabbix agent uses, you can find more here: http://www.zabbix.com/documentation/1.8/manual/config/items#zabbix_agent

2. (Where do I get a list of other items?) There are 2 ways to do this; first with Zabbix_get from the zabbix server to the monitored host:
http://www.zabbix.com/documentation/1.8/manual/processes/zabbix_get

second is to use use zabbix_agent -p or -t on the monitored host: http://www.zabbix.com/documentation/1.8/manual/processes/zabbix_agentd

http://www.zabbix.com/documentation/1.8/manual/processes/zabbix_agentd_win

3. (UserParameters) Once again the online docs have some info on this. Where it tells you about this
UserParameter=key,command

you need to manually create an Item with that 'key' in the gui

http://www.zabbix.com/documentation/1.8/manual/config/user_parameters


Also, there's a wiki with some other useful stuff too: http://www.zabbix.com/wiki/

Happy zabbixing,
MrKen

[richlv]

maybe zabbix manual can help

http://www.zabbix.com/documentation/...items#item_key
http://www.zabbix.com/documentation/...ser_parameters
http://www.zabbix.com/documentation/...xtending_agent
http://www.zabbix.com/documentation/.../zabbix_agentd

edit : bah, that's what i get for starting to write a post, then submitting it hours later

[todd.hank]

Thanks for such a quick response. I will look into the manual again.

Todd

[tchjts1]

You can also find some real life examples in these posts regarding userparameters:

http://www.zabbix.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12525

http://www.zabbix.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12342

http://www.zabbix.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14297

The native TypePerf command in (most) Win versions will provide you with the syntax needed to monitor many items/processes within 2003

TypePerf generally returns around 20k - 30k line items that you can monitor.

Then the next question is how do I set-up User Defined Parameters? I understand that I need to add these items to the agent.conf file on the server I am monitoring but where do I get examples of how to do that.

By the way, for items that are in the typeperf output, you do not need to add them to the zabbix_agentd.conf file.
SImply enter them in the Zabbix frontend as per the above examples and you are good to go.

Have fun

Jeff