What is mandatory to set up before installing Zabbix?

Before installing Zabbix, it is essential to set up NTP (Network Time Protocol) and ensure that the system time is synchronized. This requirement stems from the fact that Zabbix relies on accurate timekeeping to function correctly, especially when it comes to logging events, coordinating time-sensitive metrics, and managing time-based triggers or alerts.

Without proper time synchronization, discrepancies may arise in event timestamps, which could lead to confusion in monitoring and reporting. For instance, if different Zabbix components or monitored devices have unsynchronized clocks, it could result in misleading data representation, alerts firing unexpectedly, or difficulties in correlating events across different systems.

Setting up NTP ensures that all components involved in the Zabbix monitoring infrastructure are aligned temporally, fostering accurate interpretation and response to the metrics being monitored. This foundational step is crucial to maintain the integrity of the monitoring environment.

While configuring the firewall, installing third-party plugins, and updating the operating system are also good practices, they do not hold the same level of criticality regarding ensuring accurate timekeeping, which is fundamentally necessary for Zabbix's effective operation.