Update and Troubleshoot Reduced Fleet Images

Keep monitoring lightweight through every device release. Prepare a reduced Netdata package with the same capability policy, deliver it through your image pipeline, and preserve each device's identity so its history stays with the same node.

Build and deliver each release

1. Download the upstream installer for each architecture and verify its published checksum.
2. Run the preparation script with your saved plugin selection and stripping mode.
3. Install the prepared package into a clean device image and apply the device class's streaming, collection and storage settings.
4. Preserve the device identity and provision any updated labels or credentials.
5. Deploy to a pilot group, open its charts and live Functions, then roll out to the rest of the group.

Build each image from a clean filesystem so the installed plugins match your selection. For existing devices, use your fleet platform's migration process to preserve identity and configuration when switching to the reduced image.

Keep one update authority

Use your image pipeline as the update authority for both Netdata and its configuration. Turn off the on-device updater schedule when provisioning a reduced installation so each release follows your fleet's package policy. For the static package:

sudo /opt/netdata/usr/libexec/netdata/netdata-updater.sh --disable-auto-updates

Include existing schedules when migrating devices already in service. See updater controls for scheduler and installation-specific settings.

Deliver security updates through the same pipeline. Save the selected capabilities, preparation-script revision, package manifest and checksums with each image release so you can rebuild the package and identify what is installed.

Roll back and diagnose issues

Keep the preceding working image and configuration available for rollback. Retain the matching original upstream binaries on the build host when stripping symbols, so crash diagnostics can use them.

Symptom	What to do
The stripping tool fails	Select a strip tool that supports the device architecture with --strip-tool and rerun preparation into a fresh output
A selected plugin is unavailable	Choose a package containing it or adjust the device class's selection
Metrics or live Functions are missing	Check the retained collector, job settings, permissions and Child connection
The package is larger than expected	Review retained bundles such as go, dashboard assets and IP-intelligence data
Removed plugins return after an update	Disable the stock updater and build the next reduced image from a clean filesystem
CPU or memory use increases	Review new collector jobs, discovered metrics, collection intervals and retention
Cellular traffic increases	Inspect reconnects, chart intervals, replication and image downloads
A device cannot reconnect	Check Parent destinations, network access, TLS trust and streaming authorization

Use the support bundle tool to collect diagnostics when you need further help.