Install node_exporter

Install node_exporter for system status and performance data

node_exporter

node_exporter exports metrics related to system status and performance.

Create System Account

Create a system account under which node_exporter can run.

sudo adduser --system node_exporter --group --no-create-home

Results of adduser command

Install node_exporter

The instructions below are for version 1.5.0. Check for newer versions of node_exporter, and adapt the instructions below.

Download the latest release.

cd
wget https://github.com/prometheus/node_exporter/releases/download/v1.5.0/node_exporter-1.5.0.linux-amd64.tar.gz

Results of wget command

Unpack the release.

tar xzvf node_exporter-1.5.0.linux-amd64.tar.gz

Results of tar node_exporter command

Copy the executable file to /usr/local/bin.

sudo cp node_exporter-1.5.0.linux-amd64/node_exporter /usr/local/bin/

Configure Startup

Create a systemd service file to configure automatic startup of the node_exporter service.

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/node_exporter.service

Insert the following into the node_exporter systemd service file.

[Unit]
Description=Node Exporter

[Service]
Type=simple
Restart=always
RestartSec=5
User=node_exporter
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/node_exporter

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Save the file and exit the editor.

Optional: Clean Up Installation Files

Remove the node_exporter archive and installation directory.

cd
rm node_exporter-1.5.0.linux-amd64.tar.gz
rm -rf node_exporter-1.5.0.linux-amd64

Notes

node_exporter will listen on port 9100. This is the port from which Prometheus will query for metrics.

We have not yet configured nor started node_exporter.