How to Install Glances & Set Auto Start on Boot in Linux

🔍 What Is Glances?

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Glances is a terminal-based monitoring tool that lets you monitor CPU, RAM, Disk, Network, and Processes in real time. Ideal for server administration and system performance debugging.

Key Features of Glances: ✔ Real-time interactive display ✔ Supports remote monitoring via web ✔ Lightweight and fast ✔ Compatible with Linux, macOS, and Windows (WSL)

📥 Step 1: Install Glances on Linux

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Glances can be installed using pip (Python Package Manager) or your Linux distro’s package manager.

Method 1: Install via Pip (Recommended)

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sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y  # For Debian/Ubuntu
sudo dnf update -y  # For Fedora/CentOS
sudo pacman -Syu  # For Arch Linux

# Install pip (if not installed)
sudo apt install python3-pip -y  # Debian/Ubuntu
sudo dnf install python3-pip -y  # Fedora/CentOS

# Install Glances
pip3 install glances

Method 2: Install via Package Manager

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# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt install glances -y

# Fedora/CentOS
sudo dnf install glances -y

# Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S glances

Verify Installation:

glances --version

⚙️ Step 2: Run Glances

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You can run Glances with the following command:

glances

To run in web server mode (access via browser):

glances -w

Open your browser and go to:

http://YOUR-IP:61208

🚀 Step 3: Set Auto Start on Boot

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To make Glances run automatically at boot, use systemd.

1. Create Glances Service File

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Create the systemd config file:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/glances.service

Add the following configuration:

[Unit]
Description=Glances Monitoring Tool
After=network.target

[Service]
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/glances -w
User=root
Restart=always
RestartSec=10

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

(Note: Adjust the ExecStart path if Glances is installed elsewhere. Check with which glances)

2. Enable & Start the Service

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sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl start glances
sudo systemctl enable glances

3. Check Service Status

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sudo systemctl status glances

If the status shows active (running), Glances is successfully running on boot.

🔧 Troubleshooting

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• Port 61208 Blocked? Make sure your firewall allows access:

  sudo ufw allow 61208/tcp  # For Ubuntu/Debian
  sudo firewall-cmd --add-port=61208/tcp --permanent && sudo firewall-cmd --reload  # Fedora/CentOS
  

• Error “Glances not found”? Check Python PATH or reinstall Glances.

🎯 Summary

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With Glances, you can monitor your Linux system performance in real time. With auto start enabled, Glances will always run after reboot.

🔥 Extra Tips:

• Use glances -2 for 2-second refresh mode.
• Remote monitoring is accessible via smartphone browser.

Now your system is well monitored! 🚀