1. Introduction
There is no perfect software solution for every user and every application.
What works for one person may be too much or too little, too simple or too complex for another.
That is why Checkmk is available in a number of different editions.
These differ above all in their range of features and suitability for specific areas of application.
In the following short article we would like to introduce 
Checkmk Cloud, one of the commercial editions.
2. Overview of Checkmk Cloud
In terms of content, Checkmk Cloud is based on Checkmk Enterprise, but it additionally provides extensive cloud functions.
This makes Checkmk Cloud particularly valuable for users whose hosts are located in a cloud and who also want to set up their entire monitoring in a cloud.
Support when moving applications and processes to the cloud, i.e. in so-called lift and shift scenarios, has already been integrated into all Checkmk editions — which simplifies the implementation of a monitoring of Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and the Google Cloud Platform (GCP). In addition, Checkmk Cloud also provides cloud-specific check plug-ins. In this way you can continue to use Checkmk Enterprise when transitioning from a data center to a cloud. If you would subsequently also like to use the SaaS and PaaS products that a cloud can additionally provide, you can upgrade to Checkmk Cloud.
Checkmk MSP is then based on Checkmk Cloud.
3. Additional functions with Checkmk Cloud
The key features of Checkmk Cloud that differentiate it from other editions:
Only Checkmk Cloud is available through the Microsoft Azure and AWS marketplaces.
Advanced check plug-ins:
Checkmk Cloud includes additional cloud-specific check plug-ins for monitoring Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and the Google Cloud Platform (GCP).Cloud-specific dashboards:
In Checkmk Cloud, there are specific dashboards for AWS, Microsoft Azure and GCP.Configuration of a push agent:
In all Checkmk editions, the Checkmk server initiates communication with a host and requests the data from the Checkmk agent — in the so-called pull mode. With Checkmk Cloud you can additionally use the push mode. You configure the push mode in the properties of a host, in the section on monitoring agents.Auto-registration of hosts:
In Checkmk Cloud, you can have hosts created automatically that have a Checkmk agent installed. This includes registering the agent with the Checkmk server, establishing a TLS-encrypted connection, creating the host, performing a service discovery and activating the changes, so that the host is added to the monitoring environment — all fully automatically. Auto-registration works for pull and push agents.
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In the Setup of the Checkmk user interface, elements that only exist from Checkmk Cloud onwards are indicated by the (Managed Services Edition, Cloud Edition) suffix, e.g. rules or parameter values. |
4. Upgrading to Checkmk Cloud
You can test Checkmk Cloud without obligation, because it is not limited in the first 30 days. By entering a license key after 30 days at the latest, you can then use Checkmk Cloud without limitations.
To upgrade from one of the other editions to Checkmk Cloud, follow the upgrade description.
5. Differences of the components in detail
5.1. The monitoring interface
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
Cloud dashboards |
In the Checkmk Cloud Edition, there are dedicated dashboards for AWS, Azure and GCP. |
5.2. The monitoring agents
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
Push mode |
In Checkmk Cloud the Checkmk agent for Linux and for Windows can be configured and used in push mode. You configure the mode (push or pull) in the Monitoring agents section in the host or folder properties. Push mode relies on the Agent Controller and is therefore not available in the agent’s legacy mode. |
Auto-registration |
Checkmk Cloud provides the ability to create hosts automatically during registration with the so-called auto-registration. The Agent registration rule set is used to configure the Checkmk site. The auto-registration also requires the Agent Controller. |
Agent Bakery |
In Checkmk Cloud you can additionally use the Agent Bakery to provide agent packages with a configuration for auto-registration. The rule for the Agent Bakery is named Agent controller auto-registration. These packages perform registration automatically after installation. |
Agent registration permissions |
In Checkmk Cloud the predefined role |
5.3. Connectors
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
Grafana |
You can install the Grafana plug-in directly from the Grafana catalog, making it easy to embed the integration into your cloud environment. |
5.4. Deployment
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Availability in the Azure and AWS Marketplaces |
Checkmk Cloud is available for installation in the marketplaces of Microsoft Azure and AWS. The Azure and AWS articles will guide you through the image setup. |
Testing the Edition |
You can test Checkmk Cloud in full functionality for 30 days without obligation. On a small scale, i.e. with one site and up to 750 services, you can also run Checkmk with Checkmk Cloud on a permanent basis without requiring a subscription. |
5.5. Additional functions
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
Check plug-ins for AWS |
In Checkmk Cloud there are additional check plug-ins for the AWS Cloud products AWS Lambda, Elastic Container Service (ECS), Route 53, CloudFront, ElastiCache for Redis and Simple Notification Service (SNS). |
Check plug-ins for Azure |
In Checkmk Cloud there are additional check plug-ins for the Azure products Application Gateway and Recovery Services vaults. |
Check plug-ins for GCP |
In Checkmk Cloud there are additional check plug-ins for the Google Cloud products Cloud Functions, Cloud Run and Memorystore for Redis. |