# Linux Binary

This guide covers installing and running Qtap as a Linux binary in cloud-connected mode, managed through the Qplane control plane.

## Preflight Check

Verify your environment's compatibility:

{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```bash
curl -sSL https://github.com/qpoint-io/preflight/releases/latest/download/preflight.sh | sudo bash
```

{% endcode %}

## Prerequisites

* Linux host with kernel 5.10+
* Root/sudo access
* x86\_64 or arm64 architecture
* Registration token from [app.qpoint.io](https://app.qpoint.io/) (Settings → Installation)

## Installation

### Quick Install

```bash
curl -s https://get.qpoint.io/install | sudo sh
```

### Manual Installation

1. Download the appropriate binary:

For x86\_64:

```bash
curl -L https://downloads.qpoint.io/qpoint/qtap-v0.17.1-linux-amd64.tgz -o qtap.tgz
```

For arm64:

```bash
curl -L https://downloads.qpoint.io/qpoint/qtap-v0.17.1-linux-arm64.tgz -o qtap.tgz
```

2. Extract and install:

```bash
tar -xzf qtap.tgz && \
    sudo mv qtap-* /usr/local/bin/qtap && \
    sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/qtap
```

## Running with Registration Token

Run Qtap in cloud-connected mode:

```bash
sudo qtap --registration-token=$TOKEN
```

Replace `$TOKEN` with your actual registration token from [app.qpoint.io](https://app.qpoint.io/).

## Running as a Service

### Service Configuration

1. Create environment file for secure token storage:

```bash
sudo mkdir -p /etc/qtap && \
    sudo touch /etc/qtap/environment && \
    sudo chmod 600 /etc/qtap/environment
```

2. Add your registration token and optional tag variables:

```bash
sudo tee /etc/qtap/environment << 'EOF'
REGISTRATION_TOKEN=your_registration_token_here
QTAP_ENVIRONMENT=Production
QTAP_SERVICE=API
EOF
```

{% hint style="info" %}
**Tags are optional** but useful for filtering in Qplane dashboards (e.g., filter by environment, region, or cluster). See [Organizations & Environments](https://docs.qpoint.io/getting-started/configuration/organizations-and-environments#agent-tags) for when to use tags vs installations.
{% endhint %}

3. Create systemd service file:

```bash
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/qtap.service
```

Add the following content:

```ini
[Unit]
Description=Qtap Traffic Analysis Service
After=network.target
StartLimitIntervalSec=0

[Service]
Type=simple
User=root
EnvironmentFile=/etc/qtap/environment
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/qtap --registration-token=${REGISTRATION_TOKEN} --tags="Environment:${QTAP_ENVIRONMENT},Service:${QTAP_SERVICE}"
Restart=always
RestartSec=1

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
```

### Managing the Service

1. Reload systemd:

```bash
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
```

2. Start the service:

```bash
sudo systemctl start qtap
```

3. Enable service to start on boot:

```bash
sudo systemctl enable qtap
```

4. Check service status:

```bash
sudo systemctl status qtap
```

5. View service logs:

```bash
sudo journalctl -u qtap -f
```

## Updating Binary

### Installation Script

The quickest way to update Qtap is via our installation script:

1. Stop the service:

   ```bash
   sudo systemctl stop qtap
   ```
2. Download and install the new version:

   ```bash
   curl -s https://get.qpoint.io/install | sudo sh
   ```
3. Restart the service:

   ```bash
   sudo systemctl start qtap
   ```
4. Verify the update:

   ```bash
   qtap --version
   sudo systemctl status qtap
   ```

### Manually

1. Stop the service:

   ```bash
   sudo systemctl stop qtap
   ```
2. Download and install the new version:

   ```bash
   # Download the new version
   curl -L https://downloads.qpoint.io/qpoint/qtap-vX.Y.Z-linux-amd64.tgz -o qtap-new.tgz

   # Extract and replace
   tar -xzf qtap-new.tgz
   sudo mv qtap-* /usr/local/bin/qtap
   sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/qtap
   ```
3. Restart the service:

   ```bash
   sudo systemctl start qtap
   ```
4. Verify the update:

   ```bash
   qtap --version
   sudo systemctl status qtap
   ```