zabbix tutorial

How to Installing Zabbix 7.2 on Ubuntu 25.10 for Real-Time Monitoring

Posted on January 14, 2026

Zabbix is an open-source, enterprise-class monitoring software designed to track the performance and availability of servers, network devices, and applications in real-time. Operating on a server-client model, it requires a central Zabbix server to collect data and Zabbix agents installed on the target systems to report metrics. Key features include real-time health monitoring (CPU, memory, disk usage), robust log file management, customizable alerting systems, and auto-discovery of network devices. It supports multiple databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle, offering both agentless and agent-based monitoring options.

In this guide, we will walk through the complete process of installing and configuring Zabbix Server on Ubuntu 25.10. By following these beginner-friendly steps, you will have a fully functional monitoring system up and running on your server.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure your environment meets the following requirements:

  • A server running Ubuntu 25.10.
  • Minimum hardware: 2 GB RAM, 20 GB disk space, and 4 CPUs.
  • A root account or a user account with sudo privileges.

Step 1: Install Required Packages

First, update your system package information to ensure you have the latest software lists.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Next, install the necessary dependencies, including Apache web server, MySQL database server, PHP, and required PHP modules. 

sudo apt install apache2 mysql-server php php-mysql libapache2-mod-php -y

Step 2: Install Zabbix Repository

Since the Zabbix package is not included in the default Ubuntu repository, you must add the official Zabbix repository. Download the Zabbix 7.2 DEB package using wget. 

wget https://repo.zabbix.com/zabbix/7.2/release/ubuntu/pool/main/z/zabbix-release/zabbix-release_latest_7.2%2Bubuntu25.10_all.deb

Install the downloaded package to configure the repository:

sudo dpkg -i ./zabbix-release_latest_7.2+ubuntu25.10_all.deb

Step 3: Install Zabbix Server, Frontend, and Agent

Refresh your package database to recognize the newly added Zabbix repository, then install the server, frontend, agent, and configuration scripts. 

sudo apt update
sudo apt install zabbix-server-mysql zabbix-frontend-php zabbix-apache-conf zabbix-sql-scripts zabbix-agent -y

Step 4: Configure MySQL Database

You need to set up a database for Zabbix to store its data. Log in to the MySQL console: 

sudo mysql -u root

Execute the following SQL commands to create a database, create a user, and grant the necessary permissions. Replace ‘password’ with a strong password of your choice. 

CREATE DATABASE zabbix CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_bin;
CREATE USER 'zabbix'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON zabbix.* TO 'zabbix'@'localhost';
set global log_bin_trust_function_creators = 1;
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Step 5: Import Zabbix Database Schema

Now, import the initial schema and data into the database you just created. You will be prompted to enter the password you defined in the previous step. 

zcat /usr/share/zabbix/sql-scripts/mysql/server.sql.gz | mysql --default-character-set=utf8mb4 -uzabbix -p zabbix

Note: This process may take a moment. Do not interrupt it even if the screen appears to hang.

Once the import is finished, disable the binary log trust function for better security: 

sudo mysql -u root

set global log_bin_trust_function_creators = 0;
EXIT;

Step 6: Configure Zabbix Server

Edit the Zabbix server configuration file to connect it to your database. 

sudo nano /etc/zabbix/zabbix_server.conf

Locate the following lines, uncomment them (remove the #), and update the values to match your database setup: 

DBHost=localhost
DBName=zabbix
DBUser=zabbix
DBPassword=password

Save the file (Ctrl+O, Enter) and exit (Ctrl+X).

Step 7: Start and Enable Services

Restart the Zabbix server, agent, and Apache services to apply changes, and enable them to start automatically on boot.

sudo systemctl restart zabbix-server zabbix-agent apache2
sudo systemctl enable zabbix-server zabbix-agent apache2

You can verify the status of the Zabbix server to ensure it is running correctly:

systemctl status zabbix-server

Step 8: Finalize Configuration via Web Interface

Open your web browser and navigate to http://your-server-ip/zabbix. You will be greeted by the Zabbix installation wizard.

  1. Welcome: Select your preferred language and click “Next step”.
  2. Prerequisites: Ensure all checks are green (OK), then click “Next step”.
  3. DB Connection: Enter the database name (zabbix), user (zabbix), and the password you created earlier. Click “Next step”.
  4. Settings: Set the Zabbix server name and select your time zone/theme. Click “Next step”.
  5. Summary: Review your settings and click “Next step” to finish the installation.

Step 9: Post-Installation Security

After the wizard completes, you will be redirected to the login page.

  • Default Username: Admin
  • Default Password: zabbix

For security, immediately change the default password. Navigate to Users > Users, select the Admin user, click Change password, enter a secure password, and click Update.

You have now successfully installed Zabbix 7.2 on Ubuntu 25.10 and are ready to start monitoring your infrastructure.