What every monitored computer needs

A computer needs an exporter that exposes Prometheus-compatible measurements. Linux, Ubuntu, Debian, servers, virtual machines and many appliances normally use node exporter on port 9100. Windows normally uses windows_exporter on port 9182. Prometheus must be able to reach that address.

Use a private LAN, Tailscale or other VPN address. Exporter endpoints reveal detailed system information and should not be exposed directly to the public internet.

Information to collect first

Good to know
  • A friendly name, such as Office PC, Ubuntu Docker Host or NAS VM.
  • The private IP address or resolvable private hostname.
  • Whether the system uses node exporter or windows_exporter.
  • The correct exporter port: normally 9100 for node exporter or 9182 for Windows.

Add a system

  1. Open the Prometheus Monitor.
  2. Choose Manage systems.
  3. Enter a short, recognisable system name.
  4. Enter the private address. Include the exporter port when it is not already shown.
  5. Choose Linux / node exporter or Windows exporter.
  6. Add an environment label such as Home, Office, Production or Lab if useful.
  7. Choose Test. Continue only when HomeStart confirms the exporter responds.
  8. Choose Add system, then allow approximately 15–30 seconds for Prometheus to refresh its target list.
  9. Open the computer menu and select the new system.

Example addresses

A Linux VM might use 10.10.50.2:9100. A Windows workstation might use 192.168.1.40:9182. A Tailscale-connected server can use its private Tailscale address with the appropriate exporter port. Do not enter localhost unless Prometheus and the exporter run on the same computer.

Rename a system

  1. Open Manage systems.
  2. Find the required system in the list.
  3. Edit its friendly name and save the change.
  4. Wait for the target refresh, then confirm the same name appears in the computer menu.

Disable instead of removing

Disable a system when it is temporarily offline, being rebuilt or no longer needed every day. HomeStart keeps its details, but Prometheus stops actively collecting it. Re-enable it later without entering the address again.

Remove a system

  1. Open Manage systems and verify the name and address carefully.
  2. Choose the red remove button for that system.
  3. Confirm it disappears from the managed list and, after the next refresh, from the computer menu.

What removal does not do

Removing a target only stops collection through HomeStart’s Prometheus configuration. It does not uninstall the exporter, close its firewall rule or remove historical Prometheus data. Stop or uninstall the exporter separately if the computer will no longer be monitored.

Organising many systems

Good to know
  • Use consistent names: location first or purpose first, but not a mixture.
  • Use environment labels to separate Home, Lab, Office and Production systems.
  • Disable retired systems promptly so offline targets do not hide genuine failures.
  • Give each machine a unique friendly name even when hostnames are similar.