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Remote Server Monitoring

Actvt supports connecting to remote servers to monitor their performance in real-time alongside your local macOS system. This section provides complete setup instructions for monitoring remote Linux servers.

Overview​

Remote monitoring in Actvt works by:

  1. Installing Vector on your remote server to collect system metrics
  2. Configuring a WebSocket server to stream data securely on your remote server
  3. Setting up TLS encryption for secure communication
  4. Connecting from Actvt to view remote metrics in your dashboard

Architecture​

    ┌──────────────┐             ┌────────────────────────────────────┐
    │  Actvt       │             │ Remote Server                      │
    │  macOS       │◄────WSS────►│  Ubuntu/Linux   ┌─────────┐       │
    │   App        │             │                 │ Vector  │       │
    │              │             │  Modes:         └─────────┘       │
    └──────────────┘             │  • Standalone: 0.0.0.0:4096 (WSS) │
                                 │  • Proxy: nginx → /actvt (WSS)    │
                                 └────────────────────────────────────┘
        │                        │                        │
        ▼                        ▼                        ▼
    Dashboard              TLS Certificate         System Metrics
    Integration            WebSocket Server        CPU, Memory, GPU
    Real-time Data         Secure Connection       Network Activity

What You'll Monitor​

Once configured, you can monitor these metrics from your remote servers:

✅ CPU Metrics

  • CPU utilization percentage

✅ Memory Metrics

  • RAM usage and availability

✅ GPU Metrics (NVIDIA only)

  • GPU utilization percentage

Installation Options​

The fastest way to set up your remote server is using our automated installation script:

curl -L https://actvt.io/install | bash

This single command will:

  • ✅ Detect your Linux distribution automatically
  • ✅ Install Vector and all dependencies
  • ✅ Configure system metrics collection
  • ✅ Set up TLS certificates with Let's Encrypt
  • ✅ Configure firewall rules
  • ✅ Start and enable the monitoring service

Requirements:

  • Root or sudo access
  • A domain name pointing to your server
  • Ports depend on mode:
    • Proxy mode (nginx detected): 80 and 443 must be accessible; Vector listens on localhost
    • Standalone: 80, 443, and 4096 must be accessible

The installation takes approximately 3-5 minutes and handles all configuration automatically.

Option 2: Manual Installation​

For advanced users who prefer manual control, follow the step-by-step guides below.

Setup Process​

Setting up remote monitoring manually involves several steps:

1. Prerequisites​

Verify your server meets the requirements and prepare your environment.

2. Vector Installation & Setup​

Install Vector data pipeline software and configure it for system monitoring.

3. TLS Configuration​

Set up SSL certificates for secure WebSocket connections.

4. Firewall Setup​

Configure firewalls based on your provider - see Provider-Specific Guides for detailed firewall instructions. In proxy mode, do not expose port 4096 publicly; nginx proxies WSS at /actvt over 443.

5. Provider-Specific Guides​

Specialized setup instructions for different cloud providers.

6. Troubleshooting​

Solve common issues and verify your setup is working correctly.

Supported Platforms​

Operating Systems​

  • ✅ Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Recommended)
  • ✅ Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
  • ✅ Debian 10/11
  • ✅ CentOS 7/8 (Basic support)
  • ✅ Amazon Linux 2

Hardware Requirements​

  • CPU: 1+ cores (2+ recommended)
  • RAM: 512MB minimum (1GB+ recommended)
  • Storage: 100MB for Vector installation
  • Network: Public IP or accessible endpoint

Security Considerations​

🔒 Transport Security

  • All connections use TLS 1.2+ encryption
  • WebSocket Secure (WSS) protocol
  • Certificate validation required

🔒 Network Security

  • In proxy mode, only ports 80/443 are exposed; Vector listens on 127.0.0.1
  • In standalone mode, port 4096 is exposed for WSS
  • Firewall rules can restrict source IPs
  • No inbound SSH required for monitoring

🔒 Data Security

  • No sensitive data transmitted
  • Only system performance metrics
  • No file system access or commands

Quick Start Checklist​

Automated Installation​

The easiest path - just run our installation script:

  • Server Setup: Ubuntu/Debian/CentOS server with public IP and root access
  • Domain: DNS A record pointing to server IP
  • Run Script: curl -L https://actvt.io/install | bash
  • Connect: Add server in Actvt → Settings → Remote Servers

Manual Installation​

For experienced users who prefer manual control:

  • Server Setup: Ubuntu server with public IP
  • Domain: DNS A record pointing to server IP
  • Firewall: Allow ports 22 (SSH), 80 (HTTP), 4096 (WebSocket)
  • Vector: Install and configure with system metrics
  • TLS: Set up Let's Encrypt or custom certificates
  • Testing: Verify WebSocket connection works
  • Actvt: Add server in remote servers settings

Performance Impact​

Server Performance​

  • CPU Usage: Less than 0.1% typical impact
  • Memory Usage: ~10-20MB for Vector process
  • Network Usage: ~1-5KB/s per connection
  • Storage: Minimal (logs only)

Network Requirements​

  • Bandwidth: ~1Mbps per connected client
  • Latency: Less than 100ms recommended for smooth updates
  • Reliability: Handles temporary disconnections gracefully

Common Use Cases​

Development Servers​

  • Monitor staging environments
  • Track deployment performance
  • Debug production issues

Production Monitoring​

  • Real-time server health
  • Capacity planning
  • Performance optimization

Multi-Server Setups​

  • Database server monitoring
  • Load balancer performance
  • Microservices health

GPU Workloads​

  • Machine learning training
  • Rendering farms
  • Cryptocurrency mining

Getting Help​

If you encounter issues during setup:

  1. Check Prerequisites: Ensure your server meets requirements
  2. Review Troubleshooting: Common issues and solutions documented
  3. Test Components: Verify each step works before proceeding
  4. Check Logs: Vector and system logs provide debugging information
  5. Vector Documentation: Refer to Vector's official docs for advanced configuration
  6. Custom Support: If you need help, reach out to our community or support channels

Ready to Start?​

Choose your setup path:

⚡ Automated Setup: Use the one-command installation script (recommended)

curl -L https://actvt.io/install | bash

🚀 Manual Setup: If you prefer step-by-step control → Prerequisites

☁️ Cloud Setup: If you need to create a server first → Provider Guides

🔧 Troubleshooting: If you're having issues → Troubleshooting Guide

Let's get started with remote monitoring!