How to Install and Configure Zabbix Agent on Windows

In this guide, you will learn how to download and install the Zabbix Agent on a Windows system, configure it with PSK encryption, and set up a dashboard with graphs to visualize the data.

Part 1: Downloading the Zabbix Agent

To begin, navigate to the official download page at zabbix.com/download. You must select the parameters that match your Zabbix Server version and your operating system.

1. Select Version and OS

Ensure you select the correct version (e.g., 7.0 LTS) and Windows 64-bit. For encryption, choose OpenSSL, and for packaging, select MSI.

2. Choose Agent Type

You will see options for the legacy agent and Agent 2. Unless you have specific legacy needs, it is recommended to download Zabbix Agent 2, which is written in modern code.

Part 2: Installation and Configuration

Run the MSI installer and accept the terms. When prompted for features, the "Agent" is required, while "Sender" and "Get" are optional troubleshooting tools.

1. Configure Host and Server

The installer will automatically fill in the Host Name of your Windows system. You must manually enter the IP address of your Zabbix Server.

Zabbix Server IP: Enter the IP of your monitoring server.
Agent Port: Leave as default (10050).
Server or Proxy: If you are not using a proxy, enter the Zabbix Server IP here as well.

2. Enable PSK Encryption

Check the box to enable PSK (Pre-Shared Key) encryption. This requires two pieces of information:

PSK Identity: Create a name, for example, myPSKID.
PSK Key: Generate a long hexadecimal string (using characters 0-9 and A-F).

Note: Save the Identity and Key immediately, as you will need them to configure the frontend later. Click Install and then Finish.

3. Verify the Service

Open Windows Services (`services.msc`) and verify that "Zabbix Agent 2" is running and set to start automatically.

Part 3: Adding the Host in Zabbix Frontend

Navigate to your Zabbix web interface. If you prefer, switch to Dark Mode under User Settings > Profile > Theme.

1. Create the Host

Go to Data Collection and then Hosts. Click Create Host.

Host name: Enter a name (e.g., Windows Server 2025).
Templates: Select "Windows by Zabbix agent".
Host Groups: Create a new group called "Windows Servers" if one does not exist.
Interfaces: Click Add > Agent. Enter the Windows Server's IP address and ensure the port is 10050.

2. Configure Encryption

Do not click "Add" yet. Switch to the Encryption tab.

Connections to host: Select PSK.
Connections from host: Select PSK.
PSK Identity: Enter the identity you created during installation (e.g., myPSKID).
PSK: Paste the long hexadecimal key you generated.

Click Add. It may take a minute for the availability icon to turn green.

3. Troubleshoot Connectivity

If the agent does not connect, you can verify network paths using Netcat from the Zabbix server:

nc -vz [WINDOWS_IP] 10050

If the connection succeeds, the firewall rules created by the MSI installer are working correctly.

Part 4: Creating a Dashboard

Once data is flowing (verified via "Latest Data"), you can create a dashboard to visualize it.

1. Top Hosts Widget

Create a new widget of type "Top Hosts".

Host Group: Select "Windows Servers".
Columns: Add a column for "Host name".
RAM Column: Add a column for Item Value using "Memory utilization". Display it as a threshold bar (0-100%).
Disk Column: Add a column for Item Value using "C: Used space". Display it as a threshold bar (0-100%).

2. CPU Graph Widget

Add a new widget of type "Graph" named "CPU Usage".

Data Set: Select the Windows host and the item "CPU utilization".
Y-Axis Fix: By default, the graph might scale oddly (e.g., to 140%). Go to Axis settings and set Min to 0 and Max to 100.

You can test the graph by running a Windows Update on the server to spike the CPU usage, which should reflect on the dashboard shortly.

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