smartctl_exporter

What smartctl_exporter is

smartctl_exporter is a free exporter for sending SMART statistics from smartctl to Prometheus. It reads smartctl’s JSON output and requires smartmontools version 7.0 or later. When you do not specify devices, it scans the system for available ones and can rescan as devices appear or disappear. Its default metrics endpoint is /metrics, and it listens on port 9633 by default. On Linux, it can use systemd socket activation instead of port listeners. TLS and basic authentication are available through a web configuration file. The project supports Linux and self-hosted deployment, and lists control-plane monitoring and managed Kubernetes support. Listed data retention is 10 days. Device access such as SATA access can require smartctl to run as root; the project’s Docker Compose example uses its image in privileged mode as root. The repository identifies the license as Apache-2.0. The Free plan costs nothing. Version 0.15.0 lists additional temperature values, endurance and verify-error metrics, and support for NVMe devices behind bridges.

Who it suits

It suits Linux users who want to expose SMART statistics to Prometheus, including self-hosted and managed Kubernetes environments. It can also suit operators who need device discovery and configurable TLS or basic authentication.

Limits

The Free plan is listed as free and requires smartmontools version 7.0 or later. Listed data retention is 10 days.

Getting started

1. Install smartmontools version 7.0 or later.
2. Run smartctl_exporter on Linux or in a self-hosted deployment.
3. Allow device access; smartctl may need to run as root.
4. Configure Prometheus to use the default /metrics endpoint on port 9633.
5. Optionally configure TLS and basic authentication through the web configuration file.

Verdict

Choose smartctl_exporter if you need a free Linux exporter for SMART statistics in Prometheus and can meet its smartmontools requirement. Device access may require root, so account for that when planning deployment.