Is it necessary to have a zabbix-proxy server?

[paulhung]

Dear all,
I have read and referent document about installing a Zabbix system to monitor. Someone says It must have zabbix-proxy server, someone suggest not to have zabbix-proxy server. According to your ideal, do we just install only Zabbix server or both Zabbix server and zabbix-proxy server?
What are the differences from two models?

Thanks,

Paul Hung

[Atsushi]

I believe there are two purposes for using Zabbix proxies. One purpose is to balance the load on Zabbix servers. As the number of monitoring targets and monitoring items increases, it can be adjusted to some extent by adjusting the number of Zabbix server processes, etc. However, there are cases where it is better to collect item data distributed over multiple servers. Another purpose is to perform monitoring on a remote network such as a remote location. By installing a Zabbix proxy in a remote location and monitoring targets in a remote location from the proxy, you can reduce the amount of communication and simplify security settings.
If you only do small scale monitoring within one network, you probably don't need a Zabbix proxy.

[paulhung]

I believe there are two purposes for using Zabbix proxies. One purpose is to balance the load on Zabbix servers. As the number of monitoring targets and monitoring items increases, it can be adjusted to some extent by adjusting the number of Zabbix server processes, etc. However, there are cases where it is better to collect item data distributed over multiple servers. Another purpose is to perform monitoring on a remote network such as a remote location. By installing a Zabbix proxy in a remote location and monitoring targets in a remote location from the proxy, you can reduce the amount of communication and simplify security settings.
If you only do small scale monitoring within one network, you probably don't need a Zabbix proxy.

Thank you s much. After reading your information, I must have a zabbix-proxy server because I manage a huge network which has a lot of network devices, such as: Cisco/Juniper switches, router, VMs, firewalls... So, I need only zabbix server and zabbix-proxy server that have strong configuration.

[cyber]

If you have a huge network, then you probably will need multiple proxies... Proxy is good for up to 5-600 NVPS, but its better to keep it even lower... Of course it depends on item count etc but you can easily reach that number with 100 devices but also with 500..

[LenR]

What he said :-)

IMHO polling of items, like Zabbix agent or SNMP, puts more load on a proxy. Zabbix agent (active) items less. Some of my proxies have grown to 1000-1500 mostly SNMP NVPS and it's working, but worrisome.