Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the world of Dynatrace and exploring how to get it up and running on your own premises. If you're looking to keep your monitoring data within your own infrastructure while still leveraging the power of Dynatrace, you're in the right place. Let's get started with a comprehensive guide to Dynatrace on-premise installation.

    Understanding Dynatrace On-Premise

    Before we jump into the installation process, let's clarify what we mean by "Dynatrace on-premise." Unlike the SaaS (Software as a Service) version of Dynatrace, which is hosted and managed by Dynatrace, the on-premise version allows you to host the Dynatrace Managed platform within your own data center or private cloud. This gives you greater control over your data, security, and compliance.

    Why choose Dynatrace on-premise?

    • Data Sovereignty: If your organization has strict data residency requirements, keeping your monitoring data within your own infrastructure ensures compliance. This is especially crucial for industries like finance, healthcare, and government.
    • Security: On-premise deployments give you complete control over the security measures protecting your monitoring data. You can implement your own security policies, encryption methods, and access controls to meet your specific needs.
    • Customization: You have more flexibility to customize the Dynatrace platform to align with your unique infrastructure and application landscape. This includes integrating with existing security tools, authentication systems, and other enterprise services.
    • Cost Management: For organizations with predictable monitoring needs, on-premise deployments can potentially offer cost savings compared to the SaaS model, especially at scale. However, remember to factor in the costs of hardware, maintenance, and personnel.

    Key Components of Dynatrace On-Premise

    To successfully install and run Dynatrace on-premise, it's important to understand the key components involved:

    • Dynatrace Managed Server: This is the core of the Dynatrace platform. It processes monitoring data, performs analysis, and provides the user interface. You'll need to allocate sufficient resources (CPU, memory, storage) to the Managed Server to handle your monitoring workload.
    • Dynatrace ActiveGate: ActiveGates act as intermediaries between the Dynatrace Managed Server and the monitored environment. They collect monitoring data, perform local analysis, and forward data to the Managed Server. ActiveGates can be deployed in various modes (e.g., Environment ActiveGate, Collector ActiveGate) depending on your specific requirements.
    • Dynatrace OneAgent: OneAgent is the lightweight agent that you install on your application servers, hosts, and cloud instances. It automatically discovers and monitors your applications, services, and infrastructure components. OneAgent injects itself into processes and collects detailed performance metrics, traces, and logs.
    • Database: Dynatrace Managed requires a database to store configuration data, monitoring data, and analysis results. Dynatrace supports various database platforms, including Cassandra, which is often the recommended choice for its scalability and performance.

    Prerequisites for Installation

    Before you start the installation process, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

    1. Hardware and Software Requirements:

      • Ensure that your servers meet the minimum hardware and software requirements specified by Dynatrace. This includes CPU, memory, disk space, operating system versions, and network connectivity.
      • Refer to the official Dynatrace documentation for the most up-to-date requirements.

    2. Database Setup:

      • Set up a supported database platform (e.g., Cassandra) and configure it according to Dynatrace's recommendations. This includes creating the necessary database users, schemas, and permissions.
      • Ensure that the database is accessible from the Dynatrace Managed Server.

    3. Network Configuration:

      • Configure your network to allow communication between the Dynatrace Managed Server, ActiveGates, OneAgents, and the database.
      • Ensure that firewalls and network security devices are configured to allow the necessary traffic.

    4. User Accounts and Permissions:

      • Create user accounts with appropriate permissions for installing, configuring, and managing the Dynatrace platform.
      • Follow the principle of least privilege and grant only the necessary permissions to each user account.

    5. Dynatrace License:

      • Obtain a valid Dynatrace license key for your on-premise deployment. You'll need this license key during the installation process.

    Step-by-Step Installation Guide

    Now that you have the prerequisites in place, let's walk through the step-by-step installation process:

    Step 1: Install the Dynatrace Managed Server

    1. Download the Installation Package:

      • Download the Dynatrace Managed Server installation package from the Dynatrace website or your Dynatrace account.
      • Choose the appropriate package for your operating system (e.g., Linux, Windows).

    2. Run the Installer:

      • Run the installer as an administrator or a user with sufficient privileges.
      • Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Dynatrace Managed Server.

    3. Configure the Database Connection:

      • During the installation process, you'll be prompted to configure the database connection.
      • Provide the necessary database connection details, such as the database server address, port, username, and password.

    4. Specify the License Key:

      • Enter your Dynatrace license key when prompted. This will activate your Dynatrace Managed Server.

    5. Complete the Installation:

      • Follow the remaining instructions to complete the installation process.
      • Once the installation is complete, start the Dynatrace Managed Server.

    Step 2: Install Dynatrace ActiveGate

    1. Download the Installation Package:

      • Download the Dynatrace ActiveGate installation package from the Dynatrace website or your Dynatrace account.
      • Choose the appropriate package for your operating system.

    2. Run the Installer:

      • Run the installer as an administrator or a user with sufficient privileges.
      • Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Dynatrace ActiveGate.

    3. Configure the Connection to the Managed Server:

      • During the installation process, you'll be prompted to configure the connection to the Dynatrace Managed Server.
      • Provide the Managed Server address and the ActiveGate registration key.

    4. Select the ActiveGate Mode:

      • Choose the appropriate ActiveGate mode based on your requirements (e.g., Environment ActiveGate, Collector ActiveGate).
      • Environment ActiveGate is typically used for monitoring cloud environments and providing network-level visibility.
      • Collector ActiveGate is used for collecting data from specific technologies or applications.

    5. Complete the Installation:

      • Follow the remaining instructions to complete the installation process.
      • Once the installation is complete, start the Dynatrace ActiveGate.

    Step 3: Install Dynatrace OneAgent

    1. Download the Installation Package:

      • Download the Dynatrace OneAgent installation package from the Dynatrace website or your Dynatrace account.
      • Choose the appropriate package for your operating system.

    2. Run the Installer:

      • Run the installer as an administrator or a user with sufficient privileges.
      • Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Dynatrace OneAgent.

    3. Configure the Connection to the ActiveGate or Managed Server:

      • During the installation process, you'll be prompted to configure the connection to the ActiveGate or Managed Server.
      • Provide the ActiveGate or Managed Server address and the OneAgent registration key.

    4. Complete the Installation:

      • Follow the remaining instructions to complete the installation process.
      • Once the installation is complete, the OneAgent will automatically start monitoring your applications and infrastructure.

    Post-Installation Configuration

    After installing the Dynatrace components, you'll need to perform some post-installation configuration to optimize your monitoring setup:

    • Configure Monitoring Settings:

      • Customize the monitoring settings to align with your specific requirements. This includes defining application detection rules, setting up alerting thresholds, and configuring data retention policies.

    • Integrate with Other Systems:

      • Integrate Dynatrace with other systems, such as your ITSM tools, notification systems, and automation platforms. This will streamline your incident management processes and improve collaboration.

    • Set Up User Roles and Permissions:

      • Define user roles and permissions to control access to the Dynatrace platform. This will ensure that users have the appropriate level of access to monitoring data and configuration settings.

    • Regularly Review and Update:

      • Regularly review and update your Dynatrace configuration to keep up with changes in your environment and application landscape. This includes updating OneAgent versions, adjusting monitoring settings, and adding new integrations.

    Troubleshooting Common Issues

    During the installation process, you may encounter some common issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

    • Connectivity Problems:

      • If you're experiencing connectivity problems between the Dynatrace components, check your network configuration, firewall settings, and DNS resolution.
      • Ensure that the necessary ports are open and that the components can communicate with each other.

    • Database Connection Errors:

      • If you're encountering database connection errors, verify that the database server is running, that the database user has the necessary permissions, and that the connection details are correct.

    • License Activation Issues:

      • If you're having trouble activating your Dynatrace license, double-check that you've entered the license key correctly and that your license is valid.
      • Contact Dynatrace support if you need assistance with license activation.

    • OneAgent Installation Problems:

      • If you're experiencing problems installing OneAgent, check the OneAgent logs for error messages. Ensure that the OneAgent package is compatible with your operating system and that you have sufficient permissions to install the agent.

    Conclusion

    Installing Dynatrace on-premise might seem daunting at first, but with careful planning and attention to detail, you can successfully deploy the platform and start monitoring your applications and infrastructure. Remember to follow the official Dynatrace documentation, and don't hesitate to reach out to Dynatrace support if you need assistance. By leveraging the power of Dynatrace on-premise, you can gain deep insights into your environment, improve performance, and ensure the reliability of your critical applications. Good luck, and happy monitoring!

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