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Ubuntu 16.04 and 18.04 are legacy platforms for Pandora FMS. For a new or production monitoring server, build a supported Ubuntu Server installation and follow the Pandora release’s current requirements. Use the legacy procedure below only for an isolated lab, recovery project, or temporary migration, and pin every Pandora, PHP, and database version. The current Ubuntu installer is documented for Ubuntu Server 22.04, not these older releases.
Decide what you actually need to install
A full Pandora FMS deployment contains an Apache-served PHP console, the Pandora server process, a MySQL-compatible database, and optional software agents. The server performs checks, discovery, alert processing and data handling; an agent only collects local data and sends it to an existing Pandora server.
- Full stack: required when this host will run the console, database and monitoring server.
- Agent only: appropriate when another supported host already runs Pandora FMS.
- Separated components: possible, but require deliberate network, database and service planning.
Pandora recommends installing the console before the server because console setup initializes database configuration. Agents can be installed independently. See the installation documentation.
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Why Ubuntu 16.04 and 18.04 need special handling
Both releases are past their normal support windows; Ubuntu documents their lifecycle at ubuntu.com/16-04 and ubuntu.com/18-04. Old repositories, PHP versions and database packages may be unavailable or insecure. Pandora’s current documentation targets newer operating systems, requires systemd from version 779 onward, and maps PHP and database requirements to specific Pandora releases. Current guidance also lists Ubuntu Server 22.04 for supported deployments; consult the current requirements and the release-specific documentation before choosing a version.
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Do not assume that a current PHP 8 package list, current .deb, or the command curl -SsL https://pfms.me/deploy-pandora-ubuntu | bash works on 16.04 or 18.04. That command is documented for Ubuntu Server 22.04. For legacy systems, select a matching archived Pandora release instead of forcing modern repositories onto an obsolete base system.
Preflight checklist
Take a VM snapshot or full backup first. Then record the host and check its basic condition:
lsb_release -a
cat /etc/os-release
uname -a
free -h
df -h
sudo systemctl --failed- Use root or sudo access and a static IP or stable DNS name.
- Ensure the hostname resolves locally and from monitored agents; set the correct timezone and clock.
- Reserve disk space for database growth, logs and historical data.
- Confirm Apache, PHP and MySQL/MariaDB are not occupied by incompatible applications.
- Allow only the required console and agent-transport ports through the firewall.
- Verify that the exact Pandora release explicitly supports your Ubuntu point release, architecture, PHP branch and database implementation.
- Keep the host private or tightly firewalled; never expose an obsolete Ubuntu server unnecessarily.
Choose an installation route
| Route | Best use | Main concern |
|---|---|---|
| Supported Ubuntu plus vendor installer | Production and new deployments | Requires rebuilding or migrating from the legacy host |
| Archived packages | Legacy recovery or a temporary lab | Version and dependency conflicts |
| Source installation | When no compatible package exists | Manual Apache, PHP, database, Perl and service work |
| Docker | Evaluation, learning and pre-production | Persistent storage, backups and upgrades are your responsibility |
For source installation, Pandora says to install operating-system-specific dependencies, download the matching tarballs and run their included installers. Obtain historical packages from the Pandora SourceForge archive or the official downloads page. Verify checksums and architecture before installation.
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Recommended path: install on a supported Ubuntu release
- Create a new supported Ubuntu Server VM or physical host.
- Update it completely:
sudo apt update sudo apt full-upgrade -y sudo reboot - Check the selected Pandora release’s operating-system, PHP, database and systemd requirements.
- Use the vendor-supported installer or packages for that release. Do not substitute the current Ubuntu command on 16.04 or 18.04.
- Open the console URL shown by the release documentation, complete database configuration, and create a non-default administrator password.
- Enable HTTPS, restrict console access, configure backups and retention, then install agents on monitored systems.
Legacy procedure for Ubuntu 18.04 or 16.04
There is no universal legacy command: compatibility depends on the exact Pandora release. Treat this as a controlled procedure, not a promise that current Pandora packages will install.
- Record the exact Ubuntu point release and architecture:
lsb_release -a cat /etc/os-release dpkg --print-architecture - Choose an archived Pandora release whose documentation or package metadata names that Ubuntu version. Confirm its PHP and MySQL/MariaDB requirements; current documentation notes MySQL 5.7 by default and MySQL 8 from Pandora 760 onward, but an archived release may differ.
- Download the matching console, server and (if needed) agent packages from the archive. Inspect packages before installing:
dpkg-deb -I package.deb apt-cache policy package-name apt-cache depends package-name - Install the database and web-stack versions required by that release. Do not add unrelated PHP PPAs merely to obtain a modern package name.
- Install the Pandora console first, then the server, using the release’s own installer and service instructions.
- Confirm the service names and configuration paths supplied with that release; they may not match current documentation.
- Browse to
http://SERVER_IP/pandora_console/(or the path documented by the archived release), finish the database wizard, and change any default credentials immediately. - Confirm the server process is running, configure the agent transport, and test one monitored host, module, graph and alert.
- Restrict access to a private network or firewall, back up the database and console configuration, and schedule migration to a supported host.
Install an agent only
An agent-only installation does not install the Pandora console, server or database. Pandora documents this online deployment pattern:
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export PANDORA_SERVER_IP=<PandoraServer-IP-or-FQDN>
curl -Ls https://pfms.me/agent-deploy | bashThe script requires internet access, curl, root privileges and a compatible operating system. Compatibility with an old Ubuntu release and an archived server must be verified first; otherwise download the agent package matching your selected Pandora release. Confirm the configured server address, transport port, firewall rules, clock and agent service status.
Docker for a disposable evaluation
Pandora describes its documented Docker deployment as suitable for testing, learning and pre-production. A documented example is:
mkdir "$HOME/pandorafms"
cd "$HOME/pandorafms"
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/pandorafms/pandorafms/develop/extras/docker/centos8/docker-compose.yml
docker-compose -f "$HOME/pandorafms/docker-compose.yml" upThe example console is http://127.0.0.1:8080/pandora_console and shows admin/pandora credentials; replace them immediately and never expose that account. The Pandora Open repository uses a different Compose example and port (8081/tcp), demonstrating that image and file details vary. Define persistent volumes for Pandora data and the database, back up the database separately, and pin image tags instead of relying on latest.
Verify the installation
Run these checks, adapting the Pandora service name to your release:
sudo systemctl status apache2
sudo systemctl status mysql
sudo systemctl status pandora_server
sudo journalctl -u apache2 -n 100 --no-pager
sudo journalctl -u mysql -n 100 --no-pager
sudo tail -n 100 /var/log/apache2/error.log- Apache serves the console URL without PHP errors.
- The browser wizard connects to the intended database and completes.
config.phpexists, is not world-writable, and the required Pandora spool directory is writable:sudo ls -l /var/www/html/pandora_console/config.php sudo ls -ld /var/spool/pandora- The administrator password is no longer the default.
- A test agent or discovered host appears, a module returns data after a collection interval, and a graph renders.
- An alert and notification test succeeds.
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No installation candidate
The package may belong to PHP 8 or another newer Ubuntu release, the repository may have disappeared, or the architecture may be wrong.
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apt-cache policy package-name
apt-cache search package-name
dpkg --print-architectureSelect a compatible archived Pandora release rather than forcing unrelated repositories.
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Pandora warns that ignoring dependencies can leave an unusable installation. Repair package state, then resolve the actual version mismatch:
sudo apt --fix-broken install
sudo dpkg --configure -aApache shows PHP source or downloads PHP
Check the PHP version and Apache module, then restart Apache:
php -v
apache2ctl -M | grep -i php
sudo systemctl restart apache2Database connection failure
sudo systemctl status mysql
sudo mysqlRecheck database host, name, user, password, authentication plugin and the archived Pandora release’s supported MySQL/MariaDB versions.
Blank graphs
Investigate missing graphing libraries, PHP extensions, permissions, timezone differences, incomplete collection cycles, a stopped server process and failed database writes. Check the server journal and /var/spool/pandora permissions.
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Agent data never arrives
Validate the agent’s server address, DNS, transport port, firewall, service status, server-side reception and clock synchronization. Use the configuration path documented for the selected release rather than assuming a current path.
Security and maintenance
- Use HTTPS and restrict the console by VPN, firewall or trusted network.
- Never retain default credentials.
- Keep the database inaccessible from the public internet.
- Back up the database, console configuration and custom plugins; test restoration.
- Monitor disk usage, log growth and database retention.
- Plan migration instead of adding unsupported repositories to extend the life of the old host.
Free, commercial and alternative choices
Pandora’s editions are not interchangeable. The pricing page lists a free offering (shown with a 50-agent limit and community support), Pandora FMS ONE, Corporate, MSP and MaaS plans. The licensing FAQ explains licensing distinctions. Choose Community/Open for self-supported labs, commercial on-premise when vendor support and enterprise features matter, or MaaS when you do not want to maintain the server. Other platforms to evaluate include Zabbix, LibreNMS, Checkmk, Prometheus with Grafana, and Nagios; their deployment models and monitoring strengths differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the current Pandora FMS Ubuntu installer on Ubuntu 16.04 or 18.04?
No guarantee is established. The documented command targets Ubuntu Server 22.04. On 16.04 or 18.04, use a release-specific archived package or migrate to a supported Ubuntu version.
Should I install the Pandora agent or the full server?
Install only the agent when another host already runs the Pandora console, server and database. Install the full stack when this machine will provide those services.
The Bottom Line
For production, migrate to a supported Ubuntu release and use the Pandora installer matched to that release. Keep Ubuntu 16.04 or 18.04 only for a pinned, isolated legacy deployment or temporary recovery, with backups and a migration plan.
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