AI Chat with Netdata

Chat with your infrastructure using natural language through two distinct integration architectures.

Integration Architecture

Method 1: Connect to a Local Agent or Parent

How it works:

1. You ask a question to your AI client
2. LLM responds with tool execution commands
3. Your AI client executes tools against Netdata Agent MCP (locally)
4. Your AI client sends tool responses back to LLM
5. LLM provides the final answer

Key characteristics:

• Your AI client orchestrates all communication
• Netdata Agent MCP runs locally on your infrastructure
• No internet access required for Netdata Agent
• Full control over data flow and privacy

Method 2: Connect to Netdata Cloud

How it works:

1. You ask a question to your AI client
2. Your AI client sends the query to the LLM
3. LLM responds with tool execution commands
4. Your AI client executes tools against Netdata Cloud MCP (over the internet)
5. Netdata Cloud MCP returns the data
6. Your AI client sends tool responses back to LLM
7. LLM provides the final answer
8. Your AI client displays the response

Key characteristics:

• Same client-controlled architecture as Method 1, but with a cloud-hosted MCP endpoint
• No direct network access to Netdata Agents required
• Complete visibility across all nodes in your infrastructure
• Any MCP-aware client can connect

Quick Comparison

Aspect	Method 1: Local Agent/Parent	Method 2: Netdata Cloud
Setup Complexity	Moderate (configure AI client + local MCP)	Simple (configure AI client + cloud endpoint)
Data Privacy	Depends on LLM provider	Depends on LLM provider
Internet Requirements	AI client needs internet, MCP is local	Both AI client and MCP need internet
Supported AI Clients	Any MCP-aware client	Any MCP-aware client
Infrastructure Access	One Agent or Parent's scope	All infrastructure
Network Access	Direct access to Netdata IP	No firewall changes

To get started with Method 2, see Netdata Cloud MCP for setup instructions.