RedHat / CentOS Install and Configure Cacti Network Graphing Tool

by Vivek Gite on April 20, 2009 · 63 comments

Cacti is a network graphing tool similar to MRTG. How do I install and configure common options to collect SNMP data and various other data (such as system load, network link status, hard disk space, logged in users etc) into an RRD?

From the official project site:

Cacti is a complete frontend to RRDTool, it stores all of the necessary information to create graphs and populate them with data in a MySQL database. The frontend is completely PHP driven. Along with being able to maintain Graphs, Data Sources, and Round Robin Archives in a database, cacti handles the data gathering. There is also SNMP support for those used to creating traffic graphs with MRTG.

Required software(s)

You need to install the following software on RHEL / Fedora / CentOS Linux:

MySQL Server : Store cacti data.
NET-SNMP server - SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a protocol used for network management.
PHP with net-snmp module - Access SNMP data using PHP.
Apache / lighttpd / ngnix webserver : Web server to display graphs created with PHP and RRDTOOL.

Install the software

First, login as root user and type the following command to install mysql, apache and php:
# yum install mysql-server mysql php-mysql php-pear php-common php-gd php-devel php php-mbstring php-cli php-snmp php-pear-Net-SMTP php-mysql httpd

Configure MySQL server

First, set root password:
# mysqladmin -u root password NEWPASSWORD

Create cacti MySQL database

Create a database called cacti, enter:
# mysql -u root -p -e 'create database cacti'
Create a user called cacti with a password called zYn95ph43zYtq, enter:
# mysql -u root -p

mysql> GRANT ALL ON cacti.* TO cacti@localhost IDENTIFIED BY 'zYn95ph43zYtq';
mysql> FLUSH privileges;
mysql> \q

Install snmpd

Type the following command to install net-snmpd
# yum install net-snmp-utils php-snmp net-snmp-libs
Configure snmpd, open /etc/snmp/snmpd.conf
# vi /etc/snmp/snmpd.conf
Append / modify it as follows (see snmpd.conf man page for details):

com2sec local     localhost           public
group MyRWGroup v1         local
group MyRWGroup v2c        local
group MyRWGroup usm        local
view all    included  .1                               80
access MyRWGroup ""      any       noauth    exact  all    all    none
syslocation Unknown (edit /etc/snmp/snmpd.conf)
syscontact Root  (configure /etc/snmp/snmp.local.conf)
pass .1.3.6.1.4.1.4413.4.1 /usr/bin/ucd5820stat

Save and close the file. Turn on snmpd service:
# /etc/init.d/snmpd start # chkconfig snmpd on
Make sure you are getting information from snmpd:
# snmpwalk -v 1 -c public localhost IP-MIB::ipAdEntIfIndex
Sample ouptut:

IP-MIB::ipAdEntIfIndex.10.10.29.68 = INTEGER: 2
IP-MIB::ipAdEntIfIndex.67.yy.zz.eee = INTEGER: 3
IP-MIB::ipAdEntIfIndex.127.0.0.1 = INTEGER: 1

Install cacti

First, make sure EPEL repo is enabled. Type the following command to install cacti:
# yum install cacti

Install cacti tables

Type the following command to find out cacti.sql path:
# rpm -ql cacti | grep cacti.sql
Sample output:

/usr/share/doc/cacti-0.8.7d/cacti.sql

Type the following command to install cacti tables (you need to type the cacti user password):
# mysql -u cacti -p cacti < /usr/share/doc/cacti-0.8.7d/cacti.sql

Configure cacti

Open /etc/cacti/db.php file, enter:
# vi /etc/cacti/db.php
Make changes as follows:

 
/* make sure these values refect your actual database/host/user/password */
$database_type = "mysql";
$database_default = "cacti";
$database_hostname = "localhost";
$database_username = "cacti";
$database_password = "zYn95ph43zYtq";
$database_port = "3306";

Save and close the file.

Configure httpd

Open /etc/httpd/conf.d/cacti.conf file, enter:
# vi /etc/httpd/conf.d/cacti.conf
You need to update allow from line. Either set to ALL or your LAN subnet to allow access to cacti:

 
#
# Cacti: An rrd based graphing tool
#
Alias /cacti    /usr/share/cacti
 
<Directory /usr/share/cacti/>
        Order Deny,Allow
        Deny from all
        Allow from 10.0.0.0/8
</Directory>

Another option is create /usr/share/cacti/.htaccess file and password protect the directory. Finally, restart httpd:
# service httpd restart

Setup cacti cronjob

Open /etc/cron.d/cacti file, enter:
# vi /etc/cron.d/cacti
Uncomment the line:

*/5 * * * *     cacti   /usr/bin/php /usr/share/cacti/poller.php > /dev/null 2>&1

Save and close the file.

Run cacti installer

Now cacti is ready to install. Fire a webbrowser and type the url:
http://your.example.com/cacti/
OR
http://your.server.ip.address/cacti/
Just follow on screen instructions. The default username and password for cacti is admin / admin. Upon first login, you will be force to change the default password.

How do I configure SNMP data collection?

SNMP can be used to monitor server traffic. Once installed login to cacti.
=> Click on Devices

=> Select Localhost

=> Make sure SNMP options are selected as follows:

Fig.01: SNMP configuration

Finally, click on Save button.

How do I create SNMP graphs?

Click on "Create Graphs for this Host" link on top right side.

Select SNMP - Interface Statistics

Select a graph type (such as In/Out bytes with total bandwidth)

Finally, click on Create button.

How do I view graphs?

To view graphs click on Graphs tab. Here is sample graph from one my own box:

Fig.02: Cacti in Action - Memory, CPU and Network Usage

(Fig.02: Cacti in action)

Fig.03: Cacti in Action Disk, Load average and User stats

Further readings:

Cacti project
man pages - yum, snmpd, snmpd.conf

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{ 63 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Jason April 22, 2009

Good post. Thanks for your great site.

You can find many more templates and help at the cacti forums.

2 kelly February 20, 2011: Good post is there one on how to install plugins after cacti is up and going ?
Reply

3 Rudi June 3, 2009

The latest version of cacti (cacti-0.8.7d) requires that you edit include/config.php with the MySql details.

4 amarnadhreddy June 4, 2009

Thanks for details giving for “cacti” installation

5 Tait June 26, 2009

Great details for doing this, definitely saved me some headaches with the snmp stuff.

6 nandanm1 July 16, 2009

First I had difficulties installing cacti on CentOS 5.3 as “yum install cacti” did not work. I resolved this by installing and enabling rpmforge-release packages.

Now I am not able to locate “db.php” file. Help!

7 Jason July 16, 2009

Have you used locate to find it?

I don’t see db.php on my centos system. Maybe you’re missing something.

8 sarmed October 12, 2011: the db.php file mentioned here is /var/www/cacti/include/config.php in some versions. hope it helps.
Reply

9 Rudi July 16, 2009

lol, as per my previous comment you need to edit include/config.php.

10 nandanm1 July 17, 2009

Thanks Guys! I had missed out on this: “First, make sure EPEL repo is enabled. Type the following command to install cacti”

It worked fine after disable the rpmforge-release packages and reinstalled cacti by enabling EPEL repo.

I got this information here: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/red-hat-31/yum-install-cacti-does-not-work-on-centos-5.3-any-suggestions-740509/

11 ruben August 10, 2009

hi ive already installed cacti on my centos distro 5.xx – problem is i cant find the db.php on the cacti directories, what could be the problem with this..anyone have idea…?

12 Vivek Gite August 10, 2009

@ruben,

Did you enabled EPEL repo and installed cacti?

13 Eric August 22, 2009

Vivek, thanks for your tips however, the graph values always say “NAN”, is there any thing should i check ? I ran MRTG and nagios on the same machine where the cacti was installed.

I tried re-installing cacti on a fresh rhel 5.3 machine but still “NAN” as show on the graph value.

Thanks for this tips once again.

- Eric

14 sarmed October 12, 2011

I have the same problem. well you able to solve it?

15 sarmed October 12, 2011: running on CentOS 5.5
Reply

16 Harry August 25, 2009

Hi, when I go to change it to SNMP, it says “SNMP error” in red when I go back to the device to add graphs, etc. What did I do wrong? snmpd is running, etc. Thanks for the help.

17 very August 25, 2009

I fixed the connect error, but when I try to use the OID to log network info, I get

snmpget -v 1 -c “public” localhost .1.3.6.1.4.1.4413.4.1
Error in packet
Reason: (noSuchName) There is no such variable name in this MIB.
Failed object: SNMPv2-SMI::enterprises.4413.4.1

Also, in Cacti, it does not let me chose “SNMP – Interface Stats”, it only gives me an option for “SNMP – Generic OID Template”. Help please :)

(sorry if I sent this multiple times, it was not working :/)

18 saulw November 20, 2010: hi
i have the same problem, please if you fixed it please tell me!
ill be very thankful
Reply

19 very August 25, 2009

I fixed the connect error, but when I try to use the OID to log network info, I get
http://pastebin.com/f15dbdb45

Also, in Cacti, it does not let me chose “SNMP – Interface Stats”, it only gives me an option for “SNMP – Generic OID Template”. Help please :)

(sorry if I sent this multiple times, it was not working :/ Also, pastebinned what happened as the site keeps not posting my comment?)

20 Harry August 25, 2009

Sorry for flooding, I have no idea how to edit posts. I am using Ubuntu as my server, if it matters :/ I could not find any Ubuntu install guide for cacti.

21 Rajan August 27, 2009

Was a very helpful guide to install cacti.
I couldn’t find /etc/cacti/db.php as well – but, I have entered similar information in config.php file in the INSTALL directory. Seems to work. Am able to open the Web interface.

22 Matosh August 28, 2009

Hi,

I’m stuck at step:

“service httpd restart”

I got a error:

[root@DW init.d]# service httpd restart
Stopping httpd: [FAILED]
Starting httpd: httpd: Syntax error on line 161 of /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf: Cannot load /etc/httpd/modules/mod_ldap.so into server: /etc/httpd/modules/mod_ldap.so: undefined symbol: apr_ldap_ssl_init
[FAILED]
[root@DW init.d]#

23 Matosh August 28, 2009

I forgot to mention, on that server I have Oracle DB 10g running also.

[root@DW /]# find ./ -name httpd.conf
./usr/local/apache2/conf/httpd.conf
./usr/local/apache2/conf/original/httpd.conf
./root/app/httpd-2.2.9/docs/conf/httpd.conf
./root/app/backup/httpd/conf/httpd.conf
./etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf
[root@DW /]#

As you can see I have few “htttpd.conf” file

24 OJ September 18, 2009

Good post, do you have a follow up on how to configure remote machines for CACTI?

25 Thanh_Vietnam November 5, 2009

Hi all!
How to config to monitor many server linux with cacti?

26 Tom November 7, 2009

Running: RedHat Enterp 6.0, 2.6.29.4-1.el6.i686.PAE
I have problem with installing Cacti, related to php-snmp/net-snmp-utils/xorg-X11

How I can solve this with redhat 6.0?

cacti-0.8.7e-1.el5.rf.noarch from rpmforge has depsolving problems
–> Missing Dependency: net-snmp-utils is needed by package cacti-0.8.7e-1.el5.rf.noarch (rpmforge)
cacti-0.8.7e-1.el5.rf.noarch from rpmforge has depsolving problems
–> Missing Dependency: php-snmp is needed by package cacti-0.8.7e-1.el5.rf.noarch (rpmforge)
rrdtool-1.3.8-2.el5.rf.i386 from rpmforge has depsolving problems
–> Missing Dependency: xorg-x11-fonts-Type1 is needed by package rrdtool-1.3.8-2.el5.rf.i386 (rpmforge)
Error: Missing Dependency: xorg-x11-fonts-Type1 is needed by package rrdtool-1.3.8-2.el5.rf.i386 (rpmforge)
Error: Missing Dependency: net-snmp-utils is needed by package cacti-0.8.7e-1.el5.rf.noarch (rpmforge)
Error: Missing Dependency: php-snmp is needed by package cacti-0.8.7e-1.el5.rf.noarch (rpmforge)

27 ldg November 23, 2009

Note if you are using PHP 5.3, to generate the graphs you will need to edit some of the files or turn off all errors to suppress warnings about deprecated functions.

28 jose December 18, 2009

I already have a cacti installed on a debian enviroment working fine.

Now with Centos 5.3 under Apache 2.x with dependencies ok (cacti installed via rpmforge) cacti works BUT don’t generates any RRD graph ? What’s going on ?

I’ve algo installed the sources of cacti into a new vhost by myself with the same results, there are some problems related to safe mode = on. But they’re solved or it seems to be solved since a don’t see any erros at this point:

[root@ www]# php /var/www/cacti/cmd.php
12/18/2009 01:23:27 PM – CMDPHP: Poller[0] Host[1] DS[3] CMD: perl /var/www/cacti/scripts/linux_memory.pl MemFree:, output: 24404
12/18/2009 01:23:27 PM – CMDPHP: Poller[0] Host[1] DS[4] CMD: perl /var/www/cacti/scripts/linux_memory.pl SwapFree:, output: 1995568
12/18/2009 01:23:27 PM – CMDPHP: Poller[0] Host[1] DS[5] CMD: perl /var/www/cacti/scripts/loadavg_multi.pl, output: 1min:0.22 5min:0.24 10min:0.19
12/18/2009 01:23:27 PM – CMDPHP: Poller[0] Host[1] DS[6] CMD: perl /var/www/cacti/scripts/unix_users.pl , output: 1
12/18/2009 01:23:27 PM – CMDPHP: Poller[0] Host[1] DS[7] CMD: perl /var/www/cacti/scripts/unix_processes.pl, output: 148
12/18/2009 01:23:27 PM – CMDPHP: Poller[0] Time: 0.0422 s, Theads: N/A, Hosts: 1

[root@www]# php /var/www/cacti/poller.php
12/18/2009 01:19:13 PM – POLLER: Poller[0] NOTE: Poller Int: ’300′, Cron Int: ’300′, Time Since Last: ’252′, Max Runtime ’298′, Poller Runs: ’1′
12/18/2009 01:19:13 PM – SYSTEM STATS: Time:0.4268 Method:cmd.php Processes:1 Threads:N/A Hosts:2 HostsPerProcess:2 DataSources:5 RRDsProcessed:0

SELinux is disabled.
PHP 5.1.6 (cli) (built: Apr 7 2009 08:00:04)

Still unable to get rrd data created and view default localhost graphs.

Any ideas ? Thanks in advance.

29 jose December 18, 2009

I forget, cacti version is Version 0.8.7e

30 beto January 21, 2010

thanx for the tutorial!

if someone had the same problema as i:
after the installation, i had to manually copy the files of cacti to the default folder of apache using the command:
# mkdir /var/www/html/cacti
# cp /usr/share/cacti/*.* /var/www/html/cacti/

(SO CentOS 5.4)

31 bharat January 22, 2010

Hey after installing cacti using yum in my cent OS server…..I get a blank page when I try accessing http://myserver.com/cacti
All packages and configurations are done as per your post….. please help……..!!!!

32 sarmed October 12, 2011: Try editing the file /etc/httpd/conf.d/cacti.conf.
Edit the line “allow from”
Hope it helps.
Reply

33 anonymous February 18, 2010

I am getting not getting any information from snmpd after I type this command on fedora.
snmpwalk -v 1 -c public localhost IP-MIB::ipAdEntIfIndex

Could someone help? and also can

34 anonymous February 20, 2010

I found the solution for this.
Adding this line on the top of rocommunity public in the snmpd.conf file will resolve the problem.

35 Hullu February 26, 2010

Hi anon!

Adding what line? I have same problem.. CentOS 5.3! Thanks..

36 anonymous March 2, 2010

Add this “rocommunity public” without quotes in snmpd.conf. This is just a quick and dirty way but its best if you read through http://net-snmp.sourceforge.net/tutorial/tutorial-4/demon/snmpd.html.

37 ZeRoY April 2, 2010

Cheers man, great Post! Helped me a lot :D

38 apmellott April 8, 2010

thanx for the tutorial!

(SO CentOS 5.4)

You can use the “mv” command (without quotes to rename/move a folder).
# mkdir /var/www/html/cacti # mv /usr/share/cacti /var/www/html/cacti (there is a space between the two folder locations)

I installed this with a little help from http://www.linux.com/community/blogs/installing-cacti-on-centos-5.html. Other than that, it ran like a champ. I’ve been using it for a few days now and it’s great to be able to monitor my network traffic — I even caught someone streaming today with the data collected.

Honestly, there are a lot of posts here from folks who aren’t quite to the point where they should be installing tools like Cacti. I’ve used various Distros over the past few years and still feel like I’m a novice when it comes to Linux management. This site is a great source but also know your personal limitations.

Keep up the good work!

CentOS 5.4 Final
Apache Version 2.2.3
PHP Version 5.1.6
Cacti Version 0.8.7-e
Linux 2.6.18-164.15.1.el5 #1 SMP Wed Mar 17 11:37:14 EDT 2010 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux
Running on a “toaster”

39 David April 27, 2010

I have set up cacti numerous times for various organizations, but not enough to have all the steps of it down.

This was definitely the most helpful walkthrough I have found thusfar.

Thank you.

40 Thanh April 29, 2010

How to config and setup cacti to get CPU information. I setup a cacti server, can monitor Ram, DIsk, traffice… but can not monitor CPU infor.
Please help me!
Thanks!

41 Taro May 28, 2010

This tutorial helped me a lot. thanks!

I followed this tutorial and now I can access the web interface.
but i have a “SNMP Information SNMP error” on a device page.
I can snmpwalk to the device in CLI.

Any idea what could be a cause for this issue?

Thanks

42 randil Wijerathne May 31, 2010

Realy Good one.
Thx

43 Bill July 13, 2010

Nice post. Once I figured out it’s easier if you choose the MySQL, PHP, et al. during the initial installation things went swimmingly.

44 shiva August 3, 2010

After installation i am using this command
# snmpwalk -v 1 -c public localhost IP-MIB::ipAdEntIfIndex

i am geeting command is not found output pls help me

45 P Willadino September 8, 2010

I`m having a weird problem on both places I installed cacti (following this guide): Cacti is working and making graphs, but I can`t create anything traffic-related (which all seem to be under SNMP – Interface stats or something). The only Graph option I get for SNMP is “Generic OID”. I can’t find anything over the net, and it seems someone here asked for help but no one answered, so I’m hoping an extra call will help us both.

Thanks.

46 Donnie September 23, 2010

Append / modify it as follows (see snmpd.conf man page for details):

com2sec local localhost public
group MyRWGroup v1 local
group MyRWGroup v2c local
group MyRWGroup usm local
view all included .1 80
access MyRWGroup “” any noauth exact all all none
syslocation Unknown (edit /etc/snmp/snmpd.conf)
syscontact Root (configure /etc/snmp/snmp.local.conf)
pass .1.3.6.1.4.1.4413.4.1 /usr/bin/ucd5820stat

Im stuck here! Where in that config files does this stuff go? Im kinda new to this so i know im a newbie. I would really appreciate some help. Running CentOS 5.5

47 Seun d September 30, 2010: hey
open the config file with text editor by going to Computer/etc/snmp/snmpd.conf
when u open replace the line that start with
com2sec local localhost public with the config provided and then save.
Reply

48 Seun d September 30, 2010

Hello all.

This is really a great post, I I had issues login in to caccti, got the error message as bellow,can someone help please….

Forbidden

You don’t have permission to access /cacti/ on this server.
Apache/2.2.3 (CentOS) Server at localhost Port 80

49 TK November 22, 2010: Seun d
Kind of a late response but;
Your issue is an Apache permissions issue. chown / chmod the files in /usr/share/cacti/
Reply

50 Mazhar November 26, 2010

Thanks for the docs. I am getting the following error

# tail -f /var/log/cacti/cacti.log
11/26/2010 01:53:26 PM – CMDPHP: Poller[0] WARNING: SNMP Get Timeout for Host:’localhost, and OID:’.1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1.0′
11/26/2010 01:53:31 PM – CMDPHP: Poller[0] WARNING: SNMP Get Timeout for Host:’localhost’, and OID:’.1.3.6.1.2.1.1.1.0′

Thanks in advance.
Mazin

51 Eusuph December 21, 2010

thanks, its working, great How to.
i am new in linux world but this make me to establish cacti for my network.

thanks.
Eususph

52 Rashid December 31, 2010

Nice one good post.

53 sisir sabat February 12, 2011

sir,
i was advised to first load centos ver 5.4 then redhat ver 5, pl advise me as what to do

54 Samuel Adu Asare March 9, 2011

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge us. please I am having some little challenge with accessing cacti from another pc but it’s working on the localhost. please any help.

55 emir March 22, 2011: did you follow this
You need to update allow from line. Either set to ALL or your LAN subnet to allow access to cacti:
#
# Cacti: An rrd based graphing tool
#
Alias /cacti /usr/share/cacti
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
Allow from 10.0.0.0/8
then restart apache?
Reply

56 Avinash.Rao June 26, 2011

Hi Guys,

I am using CentOS 5.6 installed with Apache and an open source CiviCRM application. The database is installed on another server for load sharing.

1) How do i install Cacti on the first server which already has Apache + PHP + Perl etc.. without disturbing the existing setup.

2) Can i do remote monitoring? In the sense, can i monitor another server through the network.

Thanks a ton
Avinash

57 Thanapol July 2, 2011

Great !!!

Thank you so much

it work for CentOS 5.2

58 shylock_1 August 20, 2011

Hello Forum,

I am trying to install cacti package on Red Hat Ent 6 server. I am getting following error when I initiate command:
[code]
@hawk shylock_1]# yum install cacti
Loaded plugins: product-id, refresh-packagekit, subscription-manager
Updating Red Hat repositories.
Setting up Install Process
Resolving Dependencies
--> Running transaction check
---> Package cacti.noarch 0:0.8.7g-3.el6.rf will be installed
--> Processing Dependency: net-snmp-utils for package: cacti-0.8.7g-3.el6.rf.noarch
--> Processing Dependency: rrdtool for package: cacti-0.8.7g-3.el6.rf.noarch
--> Finished Dependency Resolution
Error: Package: cacti-0.8.7g-3.el6.rf.noarch (rpmforge)
Requires: net-snmp-utils
Error: Package: cacti-0.8.7g-3.el6.rf.noarch (rpmforge)
Requires: rrdtool
You could try using --skip-broken to work around the problem
You could try running: rpm -Va --nofiles --nodigest
[/code]
I did try with –skip-broken option with yum but all avail.
I noticed RRDtool does not exists for RH el6 server.
Any one knew what score for the installation this package? Please.
Thank you,
shy

59 kamal December 1, 2011

Hi All,

If you are getting error while installing EPEL Repository plz try below..

Install EPEL Repository On 32-bit CentOS Linux 5.5:

# rpm -Uvh http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/epel/5/i386/epel-release-5-4.noarch.rpm

60 kamal December 1, 2011

Hi,

I have installed everything as mentioned above. However, am getting the below error.
Forbidden

You don’t have permission to access /cacti/ on this server.
Apache/2.2.3 (CentOS) Server at centos Port 80
Please help…

Thanks and Regards

61 Charbel January 5, 2012

Just a small note to say that php-pear-Net-SMTP did not install on a fresh CentOS 6.2 box before I added the community repo listed above.

Either way, thank you for posting!

62 Charbel January 5, 2012

oh, and to kamal (assuming you figured out your problem by now), i noticed that the iptables service was started by default on my fresh centos install….

63 kamal January 6, 2012

hi charbel… thanks for being update and my cacti has been installed successfully.