Linux Server Installation
Current Status: Not Available
As of the current release, there is no validated TraceWall edition for Linux servers (headless environments).
The published .deb package is built for desktop environments with a graphical session (X11 or Wayland). It requires:
- A running display server (X11 or Wayland)
- A graphical desktop environment (GNOME, KDE, XFCE, etc.)
- Electron’s browser process to initialize
The Desktop package will not function on a headless server (no GUI, no display server, SSH-only access).
What Is Required for a True Server Edition
A production-ready Linux Server edition would need:
| Component | Current State | Required for Server |
|---|---|---|
| UI Framework | Electron (requires GUI) | Headless agent / CLI / TUI |
| Sensor | Runs in Electron main process | Standalone daemon (systemd service) |
| ARGUS Local AI | Runs in Electron renderer (loopback) | Independent inference server (llama.cpp / vLLM) |
| Configuration | GUI Settings + JSON | CLI config + file-based / API |
| Packaging | .deb with desktop entry | .deb + .rpm with systemd units |
| Updates | Auto-update via Electron | Package manager / custom updater |
| Cloud Sync | Built into Electron app | Same protocol, standalone client |
Planned Roadmap
| Milestone | Target | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Headless sensor daemon | Q1 2025 | Rust/Go binary, systemd service, AF_PACKET / eBPF |
| ARGUS inference server | Q1 2025 | llama.cpp server mode, REST API, model management |
| CLI / TUI for config | Q2 2025 | tracewallctl for enrollment, sensor control, status |
| Systemd integration | Q2 2025 | tracewall-sensor.service, tracewall-argus.service |
| Server packages | Q2 2025 | .deb (Ubuntu/Debian), .rpm (RHEL/Rocky/Alma) |
| ARM64 builds | Q3 2025 | For Ampere/Graviton instances |
Why Not Use the Desktop Package on a Server?
| Attempt | Result |
|---|---|
Install .deb on Ubuntu Server (no GUI) | electron: symbol lookup error / Gtk: cannot open display |
Install .deb + xvfb-run | Electron launches but sensor misses hardware context; ARGUS fails to bind loopback cleanly; no systemd management |
| Run via RDP/X2Go with GUI session | Works but defeats “headless” purpose; session disconnect pauses sensor; not a service |
Workarounds (Not Recommended for Production)
If you must run TraceWall on a Linux server today:
- Install a minimal desktop (
ubuntu-desktop-minimalorxfce4) - Configure auto-login for a dedicated service account
- Run TraceWall at session start (autostart
.desktop) - Keep session alive (do not disconnect RDP/VNC)
- Accept limitations: no systemd management, no clean updates, manual ARGUS model handling
This is a development/test workaround only.
What You Can Do Today
| Need | Alternative |
|---|---|
| Network visibility from Linux hosts | Deploy Windows Desktop on a management workstation; configure SNMP/SSH/HTTPS integrations to Linux targets |
| Linux host telemetry | Use Wazuh agent or Zabbix agent on Linux; integrate with TraceWall via Wazuh/Zabbix connectors |
| ARGUS analysis of Linux data | Run ARGUS on Windows Desktop; feed data via integrations |
Notification Request
If you have a specific Linux server use case (distribution, kernel version, headless requirement, ARGUS need), contact soporte@trace-wall.com with:
- Distribution and version
- Kernel version (
uname -r) - Whether you need sensor only, ARGUS, or both
- Whether you can run a lightweight GUI (XFCE + auto-login) or strictly headless
- Scale (number of servers)
This input drives prioritization.
Related Pages
- Linux Desktop Installation — Current supported Linux installation
- Windows Server Installation — Server edition for Windows (Desktop Experience required)
- Download & Verification — Source, checksums, signing status
- System Requirements — Hardware prerequisites