Lab: Install the Datadog agent and enable an integration

What you will learn in this TP

• Install the agent
• Check data collection
• Enable an integration through autodiscovery

Introduction #

What you will learn in this section

• Install the agent
• Check data collection
• Enable an integration through autodiscovery

Context. Your team is evaluating Datadog. You install the agent on a test server and connect a first service.

Prerequisites: Datadog account (14-day free trial), Docker  ·  Estimated time: 35 min

A host and a service visible in Datadog.

Hands-on #

Guided steps, with their solutions.

1. 1. Prepare the keys

   Why? The API key authorises sending data; the site must match the account's site.

   Create a trial account (EU site), then get an API key (Organization Settings > API Keys).

2. 2. Start the agent

   Why? The containerised agent sees the other containers through the Docker socket.

   Start the agent with log collection and APM enabled.

3. 3. Check

   Why? The status command is the first diagnostic tool.

   Check the agent's status, then find the host in Infrastructure > Host Map.

4. 4. Enable the Nginx integration

   Why? Autodiscovery applies the configuration to the container, with no file on the host.

   Start an Nginx with the status page and the autodiscovery labels.

5. 5. Explore

   Why? The integration dashboard is created automatically.

   Generate some traffic and open the NGINX - Overview dashboard and the logs of the front service.

Difficulty level : ●●○○○ (2/5)