Collector configuration

Find available collectors in the Collecting Metrics guide and on our Integrations page.

Each collector's documentation includes detailed setup instructions and configuration options. Most collectors either work automatically without configuration or require minimal setup to begin collecting data.

Info

Enable and configure Go collectors directly through the UI using the Dynamic Configuration Manager.

Enable or disable Collectors and Plugins

Most collectors and plugins are enabled by default. You can selectively disable them to optimize performance.

To disable plugins:

1. Open netdata.conf using edit-config.

2. Navigate to the [plugins] section

3. Uncomment the relevant line and set it to no

   [plugins]
       proc = yes
       python.d = no

To disable specific collectors:

1. Open the corresponding plugin configuration file:

   sudo ./edit-config go.d.conf
2. Uncomment the collector's line and set it to no:

   modules:
       xyz_collector: no
3. Restart the Agent after making changes.

Adjust data collection frequency

You can modify how often collectors gather metrics to optimize CPU usage. This can be done globally or for specific collectors.

Global

1. Open netdata.conf using edit-config.

2. Set the update every value (default is 1, meaning one-second intervals):

   [global]
       update every = 2

3. Restart the Agent after making changes.

Specific Plugin or Collector

For Plugins:

1. Open netdata.conf using edit-config.

2. Locate the plugin's section and set its frequency:

   [plugin:apps]
       update every = 5

3. Restart the Agent after making changes.

For Collectors:

Each collector has its own configuration format and options. Refer to the collector's documentation for specific instructions on adjusting its data collection frequency.

Troubleshoot a collector

1. Navigate to the plugins directory. If not found, check the plugins directory setting in netdata.conf.

   cd /usr/libexec/netdata/plugins.d/

2. Switch to the netdata user.

   sudo su -s /bin/bash netdata

3. Run debug mode

   # Go collectors
   ./go.d.plugin -d -m <MODULE_NAME>
   
   # Python collectors
   ./python.d.plugin <MODULE_NAME> debug trace
   
   # Bash collectors
   ./charts.d.plugin debug 1 <MODULE_NAME>

4. Analyze output

The debug output will show:

• Configuration issues
• Connection problems
• Permission errors
• Other potential failures

Need help interpreting the results? Join our Discord community for expert assistance.