This article applies as of PRTG 26.1.118 and multi-platform probe 3.8
To use multi-platform probes with a remote NATS server instead of the integrated NATS server that is inlcuded in the PRTG installation setup program, you must install and configure the NATS server on the remote system manually. The NATS installer that Paessler provides must be used on a Windows system. If you want to deploy your NATS server on a non-Windows system, see the NATS documentation on their website.
If you use PRTG Hosted Monitor, you do not need to install a NATS server or configure a connection to PRTG. For more information on how to set up a multi-platform probe with PRTG Hosted Monitor, see How do I set up a multi-platform probe with my PRTG Hosted Monitor instance?.
For more information about how to create and use TLS certificates, see the How can I create a TLS certificate?.
Requirements
The requirements for the NATS server listed below are for users who intend to use the NATS server Windows installer that Paessler provides. See the NATS documentation for system requirements involving non-Windows systems. We recommend that you install the NATS server on the same system that you run your PRTG core server on.
Operating system
| Operating system | Version | Architecture |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Windows | Server 2022 Server 2019 11 | x86-64 |
Things you need to set up a NATS server
| Things you need | Description |
|---|---|
| User name | A unique user name to use for the NATS server authentication. This user name serves as authentication between your NATS server and multi-platform probes. This is not your PRTG user name. |
| Password | A unique password to use for the NATS server authentication. This password serves as authentication between your NATS server and multi-platform probes. This is not your PRTG password. |
| TLS server certificate | The NATS server requires a valid Transport Layer Security (TLS) server certificate. You can use a certificate issued by your organization via either a public certificate authority (CA), such as found in your system's certificate store, or an internal CA. It is also possible to use a self-signed certificate. The TLS server certificate must be uniquely configured for your multi-platform probes and systems. All multi-platform probe components require certificates and keys in the PEM format. Common file extensions include .pem, .crt, .cer, and .key. You can use a full chain certificate to install a NATS server. We recommend this if you use intermediate certificate authority (CA) certificates. For more information on how to create and use a TLS certificate, see the Knowledge Base. |
| TLS server certificate private key | The key that authenticates the TLS server certificate. All multi-platform probe components require certificates and keys in the PEM format. Common file extensions include .pem, .crt, .cer, and .key. |
How it works
Paessler provides the NATS server for Paessler PRTG Windows installer that configures the following parts on your system:
- Downloads and installs the NATS server executable
- Configures the NATS server
- Installs and starts the NATS server Service in the background
- Configures an inbound Firewall Exception for NATS server network communication
- Creates the folder C:\Program Data\Paessler\NATS server\ in your program data directory where you can find the configuration and the log files for the NATS server
Installation process
- Download the latest version of the NATS server installation setup directly from Paessler: NATS Server for Paessler PRTG.
- Open the installation setup program from the .zip file and click Next.
NATS server for Paessler PRTG Setup Wizard
- Select the installation location of the NATS server and click Next.
The default location path is in the PRTG data directory: C:\Program Files\Paessler\NATS server.
NATS server: Custom setup
- Configure your NATS server settings and click Next.
Note: Save the credentials you enter in this step somewhere safe. You require them in future steps and you cannot retrieve them after the installation process.
Setting Description User Name Enter a unique user name to use for the NATS server authentication. Password Enter a password to use for the NATS server authentication. The password is encrypted in the configuration file. Port Enter the port that any multi-platform probes and PRTG core servers use to connect to the NATS server. The default port is 23561. The NATS server accepts port numbers 1 - 65535. Certificate File Select the TLS server certificate or full chain certificate that the NATS server uses for TLS connections. Certificate Key Select the server private key associated with the certificate file that you select in Certificate File. The key file cannot have a passphrase. - Click Install
- Once the NATS server has been successfully installed, click Finisht o close the setup wizard
You can confirm that the service is running in your Task Manager. Search for PRTGNatsServerService under the Name column in the Services tab.
