Lab
Cloud

Install Nagios Core from Source Along with Plugins

This lab goes through the procedure of compiling and installing Nagios Core directly from the source. This is the long way around, but it comes with advantages such as having the latest version of Nagios Core with all the features. A secondary benefit is a greater understanding of the Nagios Core structure, how it is intended to work, and what files are where.

Get started Contact sales

Path Info

Level

Intermediate

Duration

3h 30m

Last updated

Aug 27, 2025

Challenge

Download and Compile Nagios Core
1. Edit the SELinux config file.
```
sudo vim /etc/selinux/config
```
2. Change the line defining the SELINUX variable to the following.
```
SELINUX=permissive
```
3. Save the changes and exit the editor.
4. Modify the current mode for SELinux.
```
sudo setenforce 0
```
5. Check the current SELinux mode. Verify we are in permissive mode.
```
getenforce
```
6. Install all necessary prerequisites.
```
sudo yum install -y gcc glibc glibc-common wget unzip httpd php gd gd-devel perl postfix
```
7. Download the Nagios Core.
```
wget https://github.com/NagiosEnterprises/nagioscore/archive/nagios-4.4.3.tar.gz
```
8. Extract the files from the repository.
```
tar -xvzf nagios-4.4.3.tar.gz
```
9. Navigate to the appropriate directory.
```
cd nagioscore-nagios-4.4.3
```
10. Run the configuration script.
```
./configure
```
11. Compile the necessary files.
```
sudo make all
```
Challenge

Install Nagios
1. Create a user and group for Nagios.
```
```bash
sudo make install-groups-users
```
```
1. Add the Nagios user to the Apache group.
```
sudo usermod -a -G nagios apache
```
2. Install the necessary binaries.
```
sudo make install
```
3. Configure Nagios to run as a daemon.
```
sudo make install-daemoninit
```
4. Enable the web server.
```
sudo systemctl enable httpd.service
```
5. Install the Nagios command mode.
```
sudo make install-commandmode
```
6. Install sample files for Nagios.
```
sudo make install-config
```
7. Install Apache configuration files.
```
sudo make install-webconf
```
Challenge

Configure and Run Nagios
1. Configure a firewall rule for Nagios.
```
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=80/tcp --permanent
```
2. Reload the firewall.
```
sudo firewall-cmd --reload
```
3. Create a "nagiosadmin" user and remember the password you assign. The password is up to you.
```
sudo htpasswd -c /usr/local/nagios/etc/htpasswd.users nagiosadmin
```
4. Start the web server.
```
sudo systemctl start httpd.service
```
5. Start the Nagios service.
```
sudo systemctl start nagios.service
```
6. Check that the web server is running.
```
sudo systemctl status httpd
```
7. Check that Nagios is running
```
sudo systemctl status nagios
```
Challenge

Add Nagios Plugins and Verify Nagios
1. Open up a browser and navigate to the public IP address provided in the lab instructions. Attempt to login using nagiosadmin and the password you supplied in a previous step.
2. Install necessary prerequisites.
```
sudo yum install -y gcc glibc glibc-common make gettext automake autoconf wget openssl-devel net-snmp net-snmp-utils epel-release unzip perl-Net-SNMP
```
3. Download the plugins.
```
wget https://github.com/nagios-plugins/nagios-plugins/archive/master.zip
```
4. Unzip the file.
```
unzip master.zip
```
5. Nagivate to the appropriate directory.
```
cd nagios-plugins-master/
```
6. Run the setup command.
```
./tools/setup
```
7. Run the configure command.
```
sudo ./configure
```
8. Compile the necessary files.
```
sudo make
sudo make install
```
9. Restart Nagios.
```
sudo systemctl restart nagios
```
10. Switch back to your browser and refresh it. Click on Hosts in the left-hand menu.

Author

Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

What's a lab?

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

Provided environment for hands-on practice

We will provide the credentials and environment necessary for you to practice right within your browser.

Guided walkthrough

Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!

Did you know?

On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you get time for practice.

Ready to get started?

View individual plans View team plans

Install Nagios Core from Source Along with Plugins

Path Info

Table of Contents

Download and Compile Nagios Core

Install Nagios

Configure and Run Nagios

Add Nagios Plugins and Verify Nagios

What's a lab?

Provided environment for hands-on practice

Guided walkthrough

Did you know?