Getting the most out of your monitoring solution through the Zabbix Community
Zabbix is a powerful open-source monitoring software that can collect metrics from any source with no limits or hidden costs. For that reason, many enterprises have deployed it in their data centers. But to get the most out of this monolithic platform, engaging with the Zabbix community is crucial. In this article, I will explore the best ways to connect with the Zabbix community, from online forums and social media platforms to real-world events.
By participating in these platforms, you can learn from the experiences of others, share your knowledge, and stay up to date on the latest developments in the Zabbix ecosystem. Whether a new user or an experienced professional, tapping into these resources will help you solve problems, exchange ideas, and grow your expertise in Zabbix.
As a Zabbix Certified Partner, The ATS Group offers tailored services and solutions to enhance your experience with Zabbix, ensuring that you can fully harness the power of this robust monitoring tool.
Engaging with the Zabbix Community via Communication Platforms
Reddit is a social media platform and online community where registered users can submit content, discuss, and vote on various topics. Founded in 2005, it comprises numerous individual forums called “subreddits,” each dedicated to a specific subject or theme. Users can post text, images, links, and videos, while others can comment, upvote, or downvote the submissions, determining their visibility and popularity.
Check out the Zabbix subreddit.
Type of Discussion
I found the users in this space are discussing various aspects of Zabbix, such as monitoring resources, installing and configuring plugins, using APIs, and creating and managing templates. They also share news, updates, and tutorials related to Zabbix, like the release of Zabbix 6.4 and step-by-step guides for upgrading or installing Zabbix from scratch.
Engagement
There are 7,000 regulars and 50-100 people online, always contributing.
Telegram
Telegram is a popular, cloud-based messaging app focusing on speed, security, and privacy. Launched in 2013 by brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov, Telegram offers end-to-end encrypted chat, group messaging, voice and video calls, and the ability to send various files, including photos, videos, and documents. The app is available on multiple platforms, such as iOS, Android, and desktop computers.
Check out the Zabbix Telegram community here: @ZabbixTech
Taking a look at just one day, people were talking about:
- Issues with item configuration, particularly custom update intervals, and the difference between Zabbix Agent and Agent 2.
- Questions about identifying and using Zabbix Agent 2, including the difference in the binary file and configuration names.
- Discussing Zabbix versions and the potential impact on functionality.
- Inquiring about web monitoring and using web scenarios to check the response of a website.
- Seeking help with the ipmi.get function, specifically creating custom item prototypes and using filters for different sensor groups.
The chat is quite active, with users asking and answering questions throughout the conversation. There is a mix of specific technical questions, clarifications, and suggestions for solving issues. The frequency of messages varies but is generally consistent, with users providing input and responding to others promptly every day.
Forums
The Zabbix forums have a diverse range of topics, such as suggestions and feedback, help and troubleshooting, sharing monitoring experiences in the Zabbix Cookbook, and managing large Zabbix environments.
There are also dedicated sections for discussions in various languages, including Russian, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Czech, Slovak, French, Chinese, and German. The forum hosts topics about alpha and beta versions of Zabbix, as well as sharing patches to enhance the software.
Aside from Zabbix-specific discussions, the forum also has general sections for off-topic discussions, site feedback, and issues related to Zabbix documentation. Some recent discussions include SNMP trap event handling, monitoring devices without clients installed (e.g., printers), template loading issues, building a Zabbix environment, and working with different types of templates.
Check out the Zabbix Forums.
Discord
Discord is a popular communication platform initially designed for gamers but has since expanded to cater to a wide range of online communities and groups. It offers text, voice, and video chat features, allowing users to communicate with each other in real-time.
Check out the Zabbix Community on Discord.
Engaging with the Zabbix Community at Events
There are 15+ Zabbix events scheduled for 2023, covering various locations and languages. The events promote Zabbix’s monitoring solution and professional services while offering users, partners, and customers networking opportunities.
View the complete list of events
The events can be grouped into the following categories:
- Zabbix Meetings and Meetups (6 events):
These regional events are held in countries like Finland, Estonia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Mexico. They aim to introduce Zabbix solutions and professional services, network, and share knowledge. - Zabbix Conferences (4 events):
These are larger events dedicated to Zabbix, taking place in the Benelux region, Germany, Brazil, and Latvia. They cover various Zabbix-related topics, including case studies, technical how-tos, and business cases. - Industry Conferences and Exhibitions (6 events):
Zabbix participates in international conferences and exhibitions, such as KubeCon & CloudNativeCon Europe, Stockholm Tech Show, SITS – The Service Desk & IT Support Show, Red Hat Summit, ANDICOM, and Gitex 2023. These events showcase Zabbix’s solutions and services alongside other leading tech industry companies.
The events are held in several languages, including English, Spanish, Dutch, German, and Portuguese. They cater to a global audience, providing opportunities for attendees to learn more about Zabbix’s offerings, network with professionals, and meet the Zabbix team in person.
Conclusion
Numerous ways exist to engage with the Zabbix community, each offering unique opportunities to learn, share, and grow. By participating in platforms like Reddit, Telegram, forums, and Discord, you can connect with fellow users, ask questions, and find solutions to your challenges. In addition, attending Zabbix events allows you to network with professionals, discover the latest trends, and deepen your understanding of Zabbix’s solutions and services.
By leveraging these resources and the expertise of The ATS Group, a Zabbix Certified Partner, you can effectively navigate the Zabbix ecosystem and maximize the benefits of this powerful monitoring tool for your organization. Our team at The ATS Group is dedicated to providing exceptional services and solutions to ensure your success with Zabbix, enabling you to optimize performance, improve efficiency, and drive results.