# 4 Zabbix overview

#### Architecture

Zabbix consists of several major software components, the
responsibilities of which are outlined below.

##### Server

[Zabbix server](/manual/concepts/server) is the central component to
which agents report availability and integrity information and
statistics. The server is the central repository in which all
configuration, statistical and operational data are stored.

##### Database storage

All configuration information as well as the data gathered by Zabbix is
stored in a database.

##### Web interface

For an easy access to Zabbix from anywhere and from any platform, the
web-based interface is provided. The interface is part of Zabbix server,
and usually (but not necessarily) runs on the same physical machine as
the one running the server.

::: noteclassic
Zabbix web interface must run on the same physical machine
if SQLite is used.
:::

##### Proxy

[Zabbix proxy](/manual/concepts/proxy) can collect performance and
availability data on behalf of Zabbix server. A proxy is an optional
part of Zabbix deployment; however, it may be very beneficial to
distribute the load of a single Zabbix server.

##### Agent

[Zabbix agents](/manual/concepts/agent) are deployed on monitoring
targets to actively monitor local resources and applications and report
the gathered data to Zabbix server.

#### Data flow

In addition it is important to take a step back and have a look at the
overall data flow within Zabbix. In order to create an item that gathers
data you must first create a host. Moving to the other end of the Zabbix
spectrum you must first have an item to create a trigger. You must have
a trigger to create an action. Thus if you want to receive an alert that
your CPU load it too high on *Server X* you must first create a host
entry for *Server X* followed by an item for monitoring its CPU, then a
trigger which activates if the CPU is too high, followed by an action
which sends you an email. While that may seem like a lot of steps, with
the use of templating it really isn't. However, due to this design it is
possible to create a very flexible setup.