Installing a Physical Appliance
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For customers requiring a turnkey solution, the ThousandEyes Enterprise Agent can be installed on off-the-shelf hardware such as
ASUS / Intel NUC
Raspberry Pi
For Raspberry Pi-specific instructions, see this article.
The combination provides a convenient form-factor that is easily shipped to branch offices, partner sites, and other environments, where provisioning only requires power and a network connection. A downloadable ISO image is used to install Linux Ubuntu LTS, the ThousandEyes Enterprise Agent, and management software onto the hardware.
ASUS and Intel NUC
This article details the hardware requirements and process required to install the ThousandEyes Enterprise Agent on an ASUS or Intel NUC.
NUC Hardware Validation Policy
ThousandEyes explicitly lists and supports only the validated models of ASUS and Intel NUC hardware.
Any other ASUS or Intel NUC models in the same generation that meet or exceed the specified minimum memory and storage requirements (at least 2GB RAM and 20GB SSD/NVMe storage) are expected to be compatible with the ThousandEyes Enterprise Agent. See Enterprise Agent Hardware Requirements for common hardware requirements for all ThousandEyes appliances.
However, it is the sole responsibility of the customer to perform thorough validation and testing of any non-validated NUC models they intend to deploy to ensure full compatibility and performance.
Customers are strongly encouraged to adhere to the validated model list to guarantee optimal support and reliability.
Hardware Requirements
ASUS NUC 15th Generation
NUC
ASUS
NUC 15 Pro
NUC15CRKU7
NUC15*
Any memory configuration supported by the NUC. A minimum of 2GB, as specified in Enterprise Agent Hardware Requirements.
Any single SSD or NVMe disk supported by the NUC. A minimum of 20GB as specified in Enterprise Agent Hardware Requirements.
ASUS NUC 14th Generation
NUC
ASUS
NUC 14 Pro
NUC14RVK-B
NUC14*
Any memory configuration supported by the NUC. A minimum of 2GB, as specified in Enterprise Agent Hardware Requirements.
Any single SSD or NVMe disk supported by the NUC. A minimum of 20GB as specified in Enterprise Agent Hardware Requirements.
Intel NUC 13th Generation
NUC
Intel
NUC i7 NUC i5 NUC i3
RNUC13ANHI70000
NUC13*
Any memory configuration supported by the NUC. A minimum of 2GB, as specified in Enterprise Agent Hardware Requirements.
Any single SSD or NVMe disk supported by the NUC. A minimum of 20GB as specified in Enterprise Agent Hardware Requirements.
Obsolete Intel NUC Generations (8th, 10th, 11th, 12th)
NOTICE: Obsolete Intel NUC generations are only supported for existing deployments.
12th Generation
NUC12WSHi5
11th Generation
NUC11TNHi3, NUC11TNHi5, NUC11TNHi7, NUC11TNHv5, NUC11TNHv7, NUC11TNKi3, NUC11TNKi5, NUC11TNKi7, NUC11TNKv5, NUC11TNKv7
10th Generation
NUC10i7FNH, NUC10i7FNK, NUC10i5FNH, NUC10i5FNK, NUC10i3FNH, NUC10i3FNK, BXNUC10i5FNH1, BXNUC10i3FNH1, BXNUC10i7FNH1
8th Generation
NUC8I7BEH, NUC8I5BEH, NUC8I5BEK, NUC8I3BEH, NUC8I3BEK
Memory: Any memory configuration supported by the NUC. A minimum of 2GB, as specified in Enterprise Agent Hardware Requirements.
Disk: Any single SSD or NVMe disk supported by the NUC. A minimum of 20GB as specified in Enterprise Agent Hardware Requirements.
Installation Environment Requirements
The following are required:
Wired network connection: The device must be connected to a network. Wireless connections are not supported.
Note: When the NUC is powered off and it is connected to an operational Ethernet switch, the LED on the lower right of the RJ-45 port on the NUC will be lit. This indicates that a link signal from the switch is active.
Dynamic Address Assignment: A DHCP service or SLAAC must be available for the device to obtain an IP address.
DNS service: The DHCP service must provide DNS server information to the device.
Non-proxied and unrestricted access to the internet: The installation process downloads several software packages from online resources. Refer to Enterprise Agent Firewall Requirements for the list of online locations.
The Troubleshooting section below lists common issues and their resolution.
Downloading the Installer
Download the installer that fits the requirement:
Generic Appliance. There are no pre-configurations.
Custom Appliance. Includes Enterprise Agent pre-configurations.
Generic Appliance
On the ThousandEyes platform, go to Network & App Synthetics > Agent Settings, select Enterprise Agents (top line), click Add New Enterprise Agent button. Select Package Type Appliance. On Physical Appliance Installer click Download - ISO.
Custom Appliance
On the ThousandEyes platform, go to Cloud & Enterprise Agents> Agent Settings, select Enterprise Agents (top line), click Add New Enterprise Agent. Select Package Type Custom Appliance. Provide the following information:
Appliance Name. Name of the appliance on the ThousandEyes systems and the Linux host name.
Appliance Type, select Physical.
If required, select Add Proxy and specify the Proxy Host and Proxy Port.
Web Server. If the appliance is to be used for Page Load or Transaction test, select On.
SSH Keys. The SSH Public key of the SSH client to be used to access the appliance, for terminal session.
Note that the custom download will include the Account Group Token required for the Agent to register itself to the ThousandEyes system. Click Generate. It may take take between 15 and 30 minutes to generate the image. An email will be generated once the image is ready to be downloaded.
ASUS and Intel NUC BIOS
The following are intended to be a check list of configurations required for the ThousandEyes application. You should consult the appropriate ASUS or Intel documentation for the applicable procedures.
Intel documentation can be found here.
BIOS update files for the Intel NUC can be found here.
ASUS NUC documentation and BIOS updates can be found on the ASUS support site.
Check that the display (monitor) used with the NUC are compatible. Check on the hardware documentation. To verify, power up the NUC with the monitor connected, if the manufacturer splash screen can be seen, the monitor is compatible.
On the NUC, check that the BIOS version is current. If not the most current, upgrade to the latest version.
The appliance is intended to the an always-on device. Verify that the following is set in the BIOS:
After Power Failure setting should be set to Last State or Power On.
Installing Physical Appliance Software
Verify that the installation environment requirements are satisfied.
Insert the bootable USB disk in one of the USB slots on the NUC.
Power up the NUC.
Tap the F10 key (on the keyboard) to force the BIOS to enter the "Boot" menu.
On the boot device menu, use the arrow keys to select the USB drive and press Enter.
If USB is not shown as an option, power off the NUC, unplug the USB drive, plug it back in and power up the NUC.
Note: The BIOS will recognize the USB drive as a bootable device even if the USB flash drive is blank (nothing in it). If the BIOS does not recognize the USB drive as a valid bootable device, when there is a USB flash drive inserted, check that the BIOS version is current. If not current upgrade to the latest version.
On booting from the USB drive, the installation process will start automatically.
Nouser intervention is required, The initial phase will progress fairly quickly, a progress bar will narrate the progress. The final phase is shown by the "Finishing the installation" screen, "Running preseed," the progress bar will show "14%." The installation process are downloading the required software packages. This screen may remain in this state for about 15 minutes, depending on the speed of the network interface and the delays to the download server. Do not power off the NUC. Leave it until it automatically powers off.On completing the installation, the NUC will automatically power off.
Remove the installation USB.
If you don't remove it once the installation is complete, the NUC attempts to boot again, restarting the installation process.
Configuring the Enterprise Agent
See How to Set Up the Virtual Appliance for a comprehensive set of instructions. The following are the minimum required to enable the Physical Agent to communicate with the ThousandEyes platform.
Power on the NUC. After the unit boots, the "ThousandEyes Virtual Appliance" screen (shown below) will be displayed. The IP address displayed depends on the network environment of the NUC. Note the provided username and password.
Using a browser, access the provided URL (IP address), and log in using the provided username and password.
The user will be taken to the Appliance Access screen to change the default password.
Skip this step if the installation is a Custom Appliance, as the Account Group Token is included in the image.
For a Generic Appliance installation, the Account Group Token is obtained on the ISO download screen on the ThousandEyes portal, by clicking "Show Account Group Token for Installation."
On the Agent screen, copy the Account Group Token to the field provided.
For information on the other parameters, see How to Set Up the Virtual Appliance.
Verify on the Status screen that all diagnostics are green. Follow up and correct any faults shown on the Status screen.
If network related parameters were changed, for example disabling IP V6 support, reboot the Agent, through the GUI and verify that all the diagnostics are green.
The Enterprise Agent should now appear in the Cloud & Enterprise Agents> Agent Settings> Enterprise Agents page of the ThousandEyes portal.
Troubleshooting
USB Drive Not Recognized as a Bootable Device
A USB drive is plugged in, tapping F10 at power-up, on the "Boot" BIOS screen, USB drive is not recognized as a bootable device.
Resolution: Check that the BIOS version is current. If not current, upgrade to the latest version.
Malformed IP Address
Ubuntu installation fails with a "blue screen" showing "Malformed IP Address."
Resolution: Verify that the Ethernet connection to the NUC has a link signal. Verify that the Link LED on the RJ-45 port is lit. Verify that there is a DHCP server on the network (broadcast domain) that the NUC is connected to.
No Root File System Defined
Ubuntu installation fails with "No Root File System Defined" message. This situation can occur if USB devices are attached to the NUC via a USB hub.
Resolution: Do not use USB hub to connect keyboard and USB flash drive to the NUC.
"thousandeyes-va login:" Prompt Is Shown on the Screen
The expected blue "ThousandEyes Virtual Appliance" management screen is not displayed. Instead, a black screen with "thousandeyes-va login:" prompt is shown.
This is a symptom of an unsuccessful installation. The agent is missing the te-pa package which, in addition to the web admin interface, provides the physical console functionality.
Resolution: Components of the Virtual Agent are missing. Most likely caused by the lack of non-proxied and unrestricted access to the internet during the appliance installation. Reinstall the appliance in an environment that satisfies the requirements listed in the installation environment requirements.
Keyboard Not Working
When the installation completes, keypresses are not recognized.
Resolution: Most likely incomplete installation. Reinstall the appliance in an environment that satisfies the requirements listed in the installation environment requirements.
Do You Need Further Assistance?
For further assistance, contact the ThousandEyes Customer Engineering team.
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