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Install Prometheus by downloading the release archive that matches your VPS architecture, placing its YAML configuration beside the binary, and running it on port 9090. Add the Prometheus Node Exporter on port 9100 for Linux host metrics, then verify both endpoints in the Prometheus UI and the Targets page. The procedure below covers a single VPS, a hardened systemd service, secure access, troubleshooting, and expansion to multiple servers.
What you are building
Prometheus is a monitoring server that periodically scrapes HTTP metrics endpoints and stores the results as time series. The server is distributed as a downloadable release archive rather than a conventional graphical installer. Its behavior is defined in a YAML file, normally named prometheus.yml.
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A minimal VPS deployment has two processes:
- Prometheus: the database, query engine, and web interface, normally listening on TCP port
9090. - Node Exporter: a single static binary that exposes Linux host metrics, normally on TCP port
9100.
Prometheus can monitor itself, but it does not automatically know about the operating system. Node Exporter supplies measurements such as node_cpu_seconds_total and node_filesystem_avail_bytes.
Choose the layout before installing
| Item | Recommended single-VPS choice | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Prometheus listener | 9090 |
Used by the web UI, query API, and Prometheus’s own metrics endpoint. |
| Node Exporter listener | 9100 |
Scraped by Prometheus for operating-system metrics. |
| Scrape interval | 15s |
The official examples use a 15-second interval, balancing freshness and storage activity for a small installation. |
| Target discovery | static_configs |
Simple and clear when the list of VPS instances changes rarely. |
| Process supervision | systemd | Starts services at boot, restarts failed processes, and centralizes logs. |
| Exposure | Local binding or a protected reverse proxy | Monitoring and configuration interfaces should not be openly reachable from the public internet. |
Prerequisites
- A Linux VPS on an architecture supported by the release you intend to download.
- Shell access with permission to install files, create a service account, and bind the required ports.
- A way to reach the VPS privately, such as an SSH tunnel, private network, or an access-controlled reverse proxy.
- Enough disk space for the time-series database. Retention and storage sizing depend on scrape interval, metric volume, and retention flags; do not assume a fixed disk requirement.
Find the architecture with:
uname -mUse the official Prometheus downloads page to select a release archive matching that value. The archive and Node Exporter binary must match the VPS architecture; installing the wrong build commonly results in an “exec format error.”
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Install Prometheus from the release archive
1. Download and extract the matching release
The official installation workflow is to download the current archive, extract it, and enter the extracted directory. Copy the download address shown for your architecture from the official downloads page, then run:
cd /tmp
export PROM_URL='PASTE_THE_ARCHIVE_URL_FROM_THE_OFFICIAL_DOWNLOADS_PAGE'
curl -fL -o prometheus.tar.gz "$PROM_URL"
tar -xzf prometheus.tar.gz
cd prometheus-*The URL is intentionally supplied by you from the current release page rather than embedded here, because release filenames and versions change. Inspect the extracted directory before moving anything:
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./prometheus --versionThe version command should print a Prometheus build for the architecture reported by uname -m.
2. Create a dedicated account and directories
Running a network-facing daemon as an unprivileged account limits the damage a process compromise can cause. On distributions that provide the standard account-management commands, create a system user and separate configuration and data directories:
sudo useradd --system --no-create-home --shell /usr/sbin/nologin prometheus
sudo mkdir -p /etc/prometheus /var/lib/prometheus
sudo chown prometheus:prometheus /etc/prometheus /var/lib/prometheusCopy the binaries from the extracted directory. The archive may also contain console assets and example files; copy those when present so the web interface can render its standard pages:
sudo cp prometheus promtool /usr/local/bin/
sudo cp -r consoles console_libraries /etc/prometheus/ 2>/dev/null || true
sudo chown prometheus:prometheus /usr/local/bin/prometheus /usr/local/bin/promtool
sudo chown -R prometheus:prometheus /etc/prometheusIf your distribution uses a different convention for service users or paths, keep the same principle: the binary, configuration, and data directory should have explicit ownership and the daemon should not run as root.
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Create /etc/prometheus/prometheus.yml with this minimal configuration:
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global:
scrape_interval: 15s
scrape_configs:
- job_name: prometheus
static_configs:
- targets: ["localhost:9090"]global.scrape_interval sets the default polling frequency. A job under scrape_configs defines what to scrape. The static_configs list contains host-and-port targets; localhost:9090 tells Prometheus to collect its own metrics.
Validate the file before starting the service:
sudo -u prometheus promtool check config /etc/prometheus/prometheus.ymlA successful check reports that the configuration is valid. Fix indentation, quoting, and spelling errors before proceeding; YAML indentation is significant.
Start Prometheus
Quick manual start
For a first smoke test, start the binary from its installation directory:
./prometheus --config.file=prometheus.ymlPrometheus writes its time-series database to its data path unless you change that path with startup flags. A manual process is useful for testing, but it will stop when the shell closes and will not automatically restart after a reboot.
Persistent systemd service
For a VPS, systemd is the practical default. Create /etc/systemd/system/prometheus.service:
[Unit]
Description=Prometheus monitoring server
Wants=network-online.target
After=network-online.target
[Service]
User=prometheus
Group=prometheus
Type=simple
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/prometheus
--config.file=/etc/prometheus/prometheus.yml
--storage.tsdb.path=/var/lib/prometheus
Restart=on-failure
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.targetLoad the unit, enable it at boot, and start it:
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now prometheus
sudo systemctl status prometheus --no-pagerRead recent startup errors with:
sudo journalctl -u prometheus -n 100 --no-pagerDo not expose a service until it starts cleanly and the configuration has passed promtool.
Install Node Exporter for Linux host metrics
The Prometheus Authors describe Node Exporter as “a single static binary that you can install via tarball.” Download the Node Exporter release matching the VPS architecture from the official downloads page, extract it, and check the binary:
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cd /tmp
export NODE_URL='PASTE_THE_NODE_EXPORTER_ARCHIVE_URL_FROM_THE_OFFICIAL_DOWNLOADS_PAGE'
curl -fL -o node_exporter.tar.gz "$NODE_URL"
tar -xzf node_exporter.tar.gz
cd node_exporter-*
./node_exporter --versionInstall it as an unprivileged service:
sudo useradd --system --no-create-home --shell /usr/sbin/nologin node_exporter
sudo cp node_exporter /usr/local/bin/
sudo chown node_exporter:node_exporter /usr/local/bin/node_exporterCreate /etc/systemd/system/node_exporter.service:
[Unit]
Description=Prometheus Node Exporter
Wants=network-online.target
After=network-online.target
[Service]
User=node_exporter
Group=node_exporter
Type=simple
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/node_exporter
Restart=on-failure
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.targetStart it and confirm that it listens on port 9100:
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now node_exporter
sudo systemctl status node_exporter --no-pager
curl http://localhost:9100/metricsThe final command should return plain-text metric samples, including names such as node_cpu_seconds_total and node_filesystem_avail_bytes. If it fails, inspect sudo journalctl -u node_exporter -n 100 --no-pager and check that another process is not already using port 9100.
Tell Prometheus to scrape Node Exporter
Add a second job to the existing scrape_configs section. Preserve the YAML indentation:
global:
scrape_interval: 15s
scrape_configs:
- job_name: prometheus
static_configs:
- targets: ["localhost:9090"]
- job_name: node
static_configs:
- targets: ["localhost:9100"]Validate the edited file:
sudo -u prometheus promtool check config /etc/prometheus/prometheus.ymlApply the change by restarting Prometheus:
sudo systemctl restart prometheus
sudo systemctl status prometheus --no-pagerPrometheus also supports its documented configuration-reload mechanism where appropriate. A restart is easier to reason about on a small VPS; use reload only after you have implemented and secured the mechanism you choose.
Verify every layer
Check Prometheus’s own endpoint
curl http://localhost:9090/metricsThis confirms that the Prometheus HTTP server is responding. It does not prove that every configured target is healthy.
Use the web interface
From a trusted network path, open http://<vps-address>:9090. The expression browser should load. Enter up and execute the query. A value of 1 means the corresponding scrape succeeded; a value of 0 indicates a failed scrape.
Open http://localhost:9090/targets locally, or use the Status → Target health page in the UI. You should see both the prometheus and node jobs with state UP. Select a target to read its last scrape time and any error returned by the endpoint.
Run these additional queries to verify host data:
node_cpu_seconds_total— cumulative CPU time by mode and CPU.node_filesystem_avail_bytes— available filesystem space.
If the Node Exporter endpoint responds to curl but the target is down, the problem is in the Prometheus configuration, process permissions, or the address Prometheus is using rather than in the exporter’s HTTP endpoint.
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Secure a public VPS
Prometheus’s web interface accepts queries and exposes operational information. Its security guidance assumes that only trusted users can change command-line arguments, configuration files, and rule files. Treat both ports as administrative interfaces.
- Prefer private access: bind services to a private interface or loopback where possible, and reach the UI through an SSH tunnel or private network.
- Do not publish Node Exporter: port 9100 normally needs to be reachable only by Prometheus. Block it at the VPS firewall and any cloud firewall for all other sources.
- Protect Prometheus access: if remote users need the UI, put it behind an access-controlled reverse proxy and TLS. Restrict source addresses and require authentication at the proxy.
- Protect files: keep
prometheus.yml, rule files, service units, and the TSDB directory writable only by administrators and the service account where necessary. - Limit outbound and inbound paths: allow the Prometheus process to reach only the exporters it must scrape, and avoid broad “allow from anywhere” firewall rules.
- Update promptly: the Prometheus security guidance targets fixes within seven days for Prometheus and listed exporters. Establish an update process, test the new archive, and restart services during a controlled window.
Changing the listen address or adding a proxy does not replace authentication and network restrictions. Verify the resulting exposure from outside the VPS rather than assuming a firewall rule worked.
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1. Confirm the exporter process
sudo systemctl status node_exporter --no-pager
sudo journalctl -u node_exporter -n 100 --no-pagerRestart only after reading the error. A missing binary, permission problem, or invalid flag should be corrected rather than repeatedly restarted.
2. Test the exact endpoint locally
curl -v http://localhost:9100/metricsAn HTTP response with metric text proves the listener is active on loopback. If the exporter is bound to another address, replace localhost with that address and use the same address in prometheus.yml.
3. Check the target address and port
The target must include the correct host and port, such as localhost:9100. A typo, an unreachable private address, or a service moved to a different port produces a failed scrape.
4. Check firewall and bind-address rules
For a remote exporter, verify that the VPS firewall, cloud firewall, security group, and exporter bind address all permit Prometheus’s source address. For a local exporter, avoid opening port 9100 publicly just to make a scrape work; correct the local target instead.
5. Revalidate and reload Prometheus
sudo -u prometheus promtool check config /etc/prometheus/prometheus.yml
sudo systemctl restart prometheus
sudo journalctl -u prometheus -n 100 --no-pagerReturn to the Targets page after the next scrape interval. A configuration can be syntactically valid while still pointing at an unavailable endpoint, so the page’s reported error remains the deciding diagnostic.
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Monitor several VPS instances
A single Prometheus server can scrape exporters on multiple VPS instances. Add each exporter address to the static_configs target list for a small, stable fleet:
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- job_name: node
static_configs:
- targets:
- "vps-a-private-address:9100"
- "vps-b-private-address:9100"Keep port 9100 reachable only from the centralized Prometheus server, preferably over a private network. Use meaningful labels when you need to distinguish machines in queries; labels should describe stable properties such as environment or region rather than changing hostnames.
Use file-based service discovery for a changing fleet
Editing the main YAML file for every server becomes error-prone as instances are created and removed. Prometheus’s file_sd_configs feature watches a targets file and automatically updates the scrape list when that file changes.
A basic configuration is:
scrape_configs:
- job_name: node
file_sd_configs:
- files:
- /etc/prometheus/targets/*.jsonCreate a JSON file such as /etc/prometheus/targets/production.json:
[
{
"targets": ["vps-a-private-address:9100"],
"labels": {
"environment": "production"
}
},
{
"targets": ["vps-b-private-address:9100"],
"labels": {
"environment": "production"
}
}
]Give the Prometheus service account read access to the directory and files. When the file changes, Prometheus watches it and updates the target list without requiring a rewrite of the main configuration. Generate the file atomically—write a temporary file and rename it—so Prometheus never reads a half-written JSON document. Validate the main YAML after changing it, then inspect the Targets page to confirm discovery.
Deployment choices and trade-offs
| Decision | Option A | Option B | Choose A when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software source | Distribution package | Upstream release tarball | You value repository-integrated updates and accept that the packaged version may lag. |
| Process management | Manual foreground process | systemd service | You are testing a configuration and do not yet need boot startup or restart handling. |
| Target list | static_configs |
file_sd_configs |
The fleet is small and changes infrequently. |
| UI access | Local-only binding | Protected reverse proxy | Only an administrator on the VPS needs the interface. |
| Topology | One Prometheus per VPS | Central Prometheus server | You need independent monitoring and can tolerate separate dashboards and storage. |
The upstream tarball workflow described in this guide makes the release version explicit and works consistently across distributions. A package may simplify lifecycle management, but its exact version, paths, unit name, and update cadence depend on your Linux distribution and are therefore not interchangeable with the commands above.
Updating without losing your data
- Check the current Prometheus and Node Exporter versions with their respective
--versioncommands. - Read the release notes and security guidance for the new release, especially when applying a security fix.
- Download archives that match the VPS architecture and verify that each binary starts before replacing the active copy.
- Back up
/etc/prometheus/prometheus.yml, discovery files, rule files, and the TSDB directory or your chosen snapshot mechanism. - Stop or restart one service at a time, replace the binary, run
promtool check config, and start the service. - Check service logs, the
/metricsendpoints, and the Targets page before declaring the update complete.
Keep the data directory when replacing the binary. Deleting it removes the locally stored time series and is not a normal upgrade step.
Quick Recap
Completion checklist
uname -mmatches the architecture of both downloaded archives.- Prometheus starts with
--config.file=/etc/prometheus/prometheus.ymland stores data in its configured path. - Node Exporter is running on port 9100 and
curl http://localhost:9100/metricsreturns samples. - The
prometheusandnodejobs appear as UP under Status → Target health. - The expression browser returns values for
up,node_cpu_seconds_total, andnode_filesystem_avail_bytes. - Port 9100 is restricted to Prometheus, and port 9090 is private or protected by a properly configured access layer.
- Configuration files pass
promtool check configafter every edit. - You have a documented update and backup procedure, with security fixes targeted within seven days as recommended by the Prometheus security guidance.
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