In this chapter, we covered a great and easily maintainable solution for larger-scale data collection—Zabbix proxies. Zabbix proxies are also very desirable for remote environments. Similar to Zabbix agents, Zabbix proxies can operate either in active or in passive mode, reducing the hassle with firewall configuration.
Let's recap the main benefits of Zabbix proxies:
Connections between the Zabbix proxy and the Zabbix server are done on a single TCP port, thus allowing us to monitor devices behind a firewall or devices that are inaccessible because of network configuration
The Zabbix server is freed up from keeping track of checks and actually performing them, thus increasing performance
Local buffering on the proxy allows it to continue gathering data while the Zabbix server is unavailable, transmitting it all when connectivity problems are resolved
Remember that active agents must point to the proxy if a host is monitored through that proxy. Passive agents must allow incoming connections...