Can I run Zabbix on Windows?
Zabbix server requires Linux. However, Zabbix agent 2 runs on Windows Server and Windows 10/11 for monitoring Windows systems. The web frontend works on any Windows PC via browser access to the Linux server.
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Zabbix 7.0.20 – Enterprise Open Source Monitoring Solution
Enterprise-class open source monitoring solution
Zabbix is a free, enterprise-class open source monitoring platform that provides distributed monitoring, alerting, and visualization for IT infrastructure at scale.
About Zabbix
Zabbix is a mature, enterprise-class monitoring platform providing distributed monitoring, alerting, and visualization capabilities. Since its initial release, Zabbix has become trusted by thousands of enterprises worldwide for monitoring mission-critical infrastructure. The platform offers 900+ pre-built templates, supports 30+ monitoring plugins, and integrates with major databases, container platforms, and cloud providers. Zabbix's modular architecture enables scalable deployments from small 50-host installations to massive multi-site environments with 100,000+ monitored devices. As open source software licensed under GNU AGPLv3, Zabbix imposes no licensing fees or per-host charges, providing predictable infrastructure monitoring costs.
System Requirements
- Operating System: Linux (RHEL 7+, Ubuntu 18.04+, Debian 9+) or Windows agent support
- Processor: 2 CPU cores (small setup), 4-8 cores (enterprise)
- RAM: 128 MB (minimum), 8 GB (recommended production)
- Disk Space: 256 MB (minimum), 2-5 GB (typical with history)
- Additional Requirements: MySQL 5.7+ or PostgreSQL 10+ or Oracle database backend required, Apache/Nginx web server, PHP 7.2+ for frontend
Features Of Zabbix
- Real-time monitoring of servers, applications, and network devices
- Auto-discovery mechanisms for automatic host and service detection
- 900+ pre-built templates for common infrastructure components
- Distributed proxy architecture for remote site monitoring
- High availability cluster support for fault tolerance
- Webhook integrations with Slack, Discord, Telegram, and custom endpoints
- 30+ monitoring plugins including Docker, Kubernetes, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle
- Problem correlation and event suppression for alert fatigue reduction
- Custom preprocessing steps for data transformation before storage
- Map-based visualization of infrastructure topology and status
- Role-based access control with multi-tenant isolation
- Historical trend analysis and SLA reporting
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free and open source with no licensing fees or per-host charges
- Extensive customization options for complex monitoring scenarios
- Scalable architecture supporting 100,000+ monitored devices
- Distributed proxy design enables monitoring across multiple sites
- Comprehensive REST API for custom integrations and automation
- 900+ pre-built templates reduce configuration time
- Multi-tenant support beneficial for managed service providers
Cons
- Steep learning curve for initial setup and configuration
- Database backend complexity requires dedicated infrastructure
- Web interface less intuitive than some modern SaaS competitors
- Large installations require significant hardware resources
- Community support response times vary compared to commercial products
Changelog
Version 7.0.20 (October 28, 2025):
- Updated maximum supported TimescaleDB version to 2.22
- Added Stormshield SNS by SNMP template
- Updated maximum supported PostgreSQL version to 18
- Added TLS support for Zabbix agent 2 Redis plugin
- Improved performance and memory usage in configuration cache
- Fixed new timer allocation on trigger value updates
Version 7.0.17 (July 22, 2025):
- Improved preprocessing diagnostics with longest processing time highlights
- Prepared for removal of deprecated TimescaleDB API calls
- Added Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense template
- Enhanced SMART self-test items and triggers
- Fixed high memory usage issues
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zabbix truly free for enterprise use?
Yes, Zabbix is free software licensed under GNU AGPLv3. No fees apply regardless of the number of hosts, users, or metrics monitored. Commercial support plans are optional for enterprise customers.
What databases does Zabbix support?
Zabbix supports MySQL/MariaDB 5.7+, PostgreSQL 10+, and Oracle Database. PostgreSQL with TimescaleDB extension provides superior time-series performance. SQLite supported only for single-host installations.
How many hosts can a single Zabbix instance monitor?
A single Zabbix server can monitor 10,000+ hosts efficiently with proper hardware (8+ CPUs, 16GB+ RAM). Larger deployments use distributed proxies at remote sites to scale to 100,000+ monitored devices.
Does Zabbix integrate with Kubernetes?
Yes, Zabbix agent 2 provides Kubernetes integration discovering pods and collecting metrics. Additional integrations available via Prometheus scrape endpoints and custom webhooks for container monitoring.
What are the minimum hardware requirements?
Minimum: 128MB RAM, 256MB disk space, single CPU. Production: 8GB+ RAM, 2-5GB disk, 4-8 CPU cores depending on monitored items. Database server should run on separate dedicated hardware.
How long does installation typically take?
Installation from packages on Linux takes 15-30 minutes including database setup. Configuration of templates, hosts, and monitoring rules takes additional time depending on infrastructure complexity.
